Museum Information
Civil War
Local History Articles

First burial at Arlington National Cemetery was Monroe County man

May 2013 |
Pvt. William H. Christman of Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, was buried on the grounds of the Arlington estate on Friday, May 13, 1864. It is not known how he was chosen, but he was the first person to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Read More...

Local African-Americans fought in deadly Civil War battle

February 2012 |
More than 185,000 men of African descent served with the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the American Civil War. This article provides a brief history of and local connection to the formation of the USCT. Read More...

Stroudsburg cannons dedicated to Civil War dead

May 2009 |
For 112 years, the cannons in Courthouse Square stood without any marker or plaque to show why they were placed there. On Monday, county officials changed that by dedicating the cannons to the local veterans of the Civil War during a Memorial Day celebration before hundreds of onlookers. Read More...

Poconos link to Lincoln: John Staples

February 2009 |
The Civil War affected the citizens of Monroe County as it did the nation. Men left their homes, families and jobs to serve in the Union Army. Joining his fellow citizens, John Summerfield Staples fought in the Civil War, and became a celebrity. Read More...

John Summerfield Staples and Abraham Lincoln

March 2007 |
The Civil War affected the citizens of Monroe County as it did the nation. Men left their homes, families, and jobs to serve in the Union Army. Joining his fellow citizens, John Summerfield Staples of Stroudsburg fought in the Civil War – and became a celebrity as the official replacement recruit representing President Abraham Lincoln. Read More...