Monroe County Historical Association

Author David C. Pierce discussed the local protest movement in the 1960s and ’70s that defeated the federally approved but never-built Tocks Island Dam and 37-mile reservoir on the Delaware River.

Pierce, a retired journalist, has written extensively about the legacy of the ill-fated Tocks Island Dam and subsequent creation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area from property that was seized for the project. The 13-year struggle was convoluted, sometimes bizarre and often heart-wrenching.

His presentation was based on his 2023 book, “Tocks Island: Dammed If You Do: The Homegrown Movement that Defeated the Delaware River Dam.”

• National Park Service — Tocks Island Dam Controversy

David Koster discussed the Flood of 1955 ,a catastrophic event that killed 76 people and transformed the landscape and way of life in Monroe County. His presentation focused on the work of his father, Al Koster, a 25-year-old East Stroudsburg resident at the time and a budding photographer, who captured ground-level and aerial photos of the devastation.

While many photos were taken, Koster’s differed as they were in vivid color.

Evidence of the flood’s aftermath is still visible today if you know where and how to look. David displayed many of his father’s original photos, describing them in historical context and comparing them with views of the same locations as they appear today.

Dan McSweeney discussed the history and fate of the steamship christened "United States," which exemplified the harmony of the country's hard power with its political, economic, diplomatic and cultural strengths during the Cold War.

The vessel completed 400 mishap-free voyages, mainly between Manhattan’s Pier 86 and ports in England, France, and Germany from 1952-1969. On her maiden voyage, this fabled ocean liner easily trounced the standing transatlantic speed record by half a day, without reaching full power. That record still stands. “The Big U,” as she was known by crew members, could travel faster in reverse than most current ships of her size can travel forward.

In 2004, McSweeney co-founded the SS United States Conservancy and served as its executive director, in order to raise public awareness and support for the preservation of this historic and last-remaining American ocean liner.