THE STROUD MANSION is CLOSED
FOR OUR HERITAGE CENTER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
See Heritage Center page
The Monroe County Historical Association office, research library, and museum
are closed through the remainder of 2025.
As the construction of the Heritage Center approaches its final stages, our dedicated team is focused on the important task of relocating back to our headquarters and preparing the space for visitors. During this transition, appointments, research, and other services will be on hold.
You may leave messages at 570-421-7703 or send an email.
Please understand that we may not be able to respond right away. We appreciate your patience.
Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these programs are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Monroe County Historical Association. The Monroe County Historical Association values the research efforts put forth by our featured speakers but cannot guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

VIDEOS OF OUR 2024THIRD THURSDAY LECTURES
All lectures are video recorded for those unable to attend, and are posted here and on our YouTube channel following the event.
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.”

Locally, 1,500 men served at Promised Land in Pike County, 10 miles north of Canadensis, along Pennsylvania Route 390. They helped transform the area, leaving a legacy of beautiful, forested lands for recreation and wildlife.

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.

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.

Wright reported that we know from the Slave Register pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780 that there were slaves in our area. The 1790 Census indicates there were both slaves and free people of color in what is now Monroe County. But by the time of the 1800 Census, there were no slaves here.

He graduated from law school at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1975 where he was a member of the Moot Court team.
Muth spent his entire legal career in Monroe County, where for 28 years he served the community as a public defender, 25 of those years as the county’s chief public defender. He was the president of the Pennsylvania Public Defender Association for two years.
He also practiced private law as a senior partner in the firm of Muth, Zulick and Worthington in Stroudsburg.
In 2005, he was elected magisterial district judge for East Stroudsburg, and twice re-elected. He retired at the end of his third term on Dec. 30, 2023.
2024 Lectures
THIRD THURSDAY
Presented April through October
No lecture in August
The Monroe County Historical Association’s popular Third Thursday Lecture Series were “on the road’ in 2024.
Since the Stroud Mansion was closed for construction, the Historical Association held 2024 lecture series at a different location around the county each month.
All lectures are video recorded for those unable to attend, and are posted here and on our YouTube channel following the event. Videos of the 2024 lectures are available here, with links to our past years lectures below.
THIRD THURSDAY
Lecture Series
Presented April through OctoberNo lecture in August
The Monroe County Historical Association’s popular Third Thursday Lecture Series were “on the road’ in 2024.
Since the Stroud Mansion was closed for construction, the Historical Association held 2024 lecture series at a different location around the county each month.
All lectures are video recorded for those unable to attend, and are posted here and on our YouTube channel following the event. Videos of the 2024 lectures are available here, with links to our past years lectures below.
2024 LECTURES
▪ Thursday, April 18, 2024 — “Tocks Island: Dammed If You Do,“ David C. Pierce
▪ Thursday, May 16, 2024 — “Promised Land and the Civilian Conservation Corps,” Peter Gonze
▪ Thursday, June 20, 2024 — "Reflections on 1955 Flood Through the Camera of Albert Koster,” David Koster
▪ Thursday, July 18, 2024 — “History of the SS United States, America’s Greatest Ocean Liner,” Dan McSweeney
▪ Thursday, September 19, 2024 — “History of African American Community in Monroe County,” Jeffrey Wright
▪ Thursday, October 17, 2024 — “History of Monroe County Public Defenders Office,” Michael Muth
Questions or suggestions about our lectures?
Call 570-421-7703 or contact us.
Call 570-421-7703 or contact us.
All text and images from the Monroe County Historical Association website are copyrighted and may not be downloaded, reproduced, published, displayed, printed, or posted elsewhere on the internet for any purpose without permission from the Monroe County Historical Association.