Events Calendar
July 1st, 2010
Historical Society to Show Documentary:
Frank Schoonover: The Authentic Artist
Milford, PA - Frank Schoonover: The Authentic Artist is a one-hour documentary film that explores innovative Delaware illustrator Frank Schoonover’s visionary social commentary on two powerfully contrasting social frontiers in northeastern Pennsylvania—the region’s gloomy industrial landscape in the 1900’s and the pristine vistas of the Delaware River in the 1930’s. Schoonover’s moody monochromatic sketches of boys working in coal mines and girls laboring in textile mills, and his vibrant oil paintings of panoramic river settings in the Pocono Mountains, are prescient art that portrays issues of human rights and environmentalism and captures the heart of a people and a place, and the soul of an artist.
That soul found its solace in the subject of the frontier. To this day, Frank Schoonover’s iconic renderings of adventurous life in fantasy as well as in the Canadian North and the American West help define American popular culture. More than five million readers every month saw his illustrations of the fiction of Jack London and Zane Grey, among the many writers with whom he collaborated. He was the first to visualize the legendary western character Hopalong Cassidy.
Frank Schoonover’s seminal artistic talent was nurtured during childhood summers spent at his grandmother’s home in the rural town of Bushkill, near the Delaware River in Pike County, Pennsylvania. His relentless drawing of bridges and streams there matured into imitations of the illustrations of Howard Pyle, America’s foremost illustrator at the end of the 19th century. Schoonover’s self-taught technique would ultimately attract Pyle’s mentorship, and he would form a lifelong friendship with both Pyle and fellow student N.C. Wyeth.
The Pike County Historical Society is proud to show this documentary, in the Foundation Room of the Columns Museum, on Friday .July 16, 2010 at 7:00pm. Admission is free.
May 11th, 2010
“Old Glory, New Story"
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society, is pleased to announce the summer exhibition "Old Glory, New Story" by Ronald Parker. The show of American flags provides an updated vision of what the American flag means and looks like through the prism of an artist who is also a psychologist.
The American Lincoln Flag is the most important object in the museum's collection. When Lincoln was shot, an American flag was used to cradle his head as he lay dying. Stained with his blood, this flag symbolizes the dedication and sacrifice Lincoln made for his country. It has been in the museum's collection since 1954.
Parker's 16 interpretations of the flag provide dynamic symbols of America today. No equal and symmetrical stars; no static stripes; his flags show American's energy and excitement with splashes of color, drips of action painting and intermingling of red, white and blue.
"I have always loved the American flag" Parker says, "but I wanted to do a series of symbolic paintings of old glory and tell a new story. My flags connote change, which can be either chaotic or inspiring - sometimes both."
Parker and his wife, Yvonne, have lived in Pike County for over 20 years. Today they divide their time between PA. ("The Pointe") and West Palm Beach, FL. ("Casita Artistica"). Parker's Ph.D. is from Vanderbilt University and for years he was a practicing psychologist and professor in NYC.
The exhibition will open on Saturday June 12, 2010, with a special reception from 6:00-8:00 pm at The Columns. The exhibit will remain at The Columns Museum through Sunday September 12, 2010.
The Columns is pleased to have the Parkers back again, as Yvonne's successful and whimsical exhibit titled Then & Now, graced the Columns' space August through October of 2009.
Sponsors: Biondo Investment Advisors and Imperial Brands.
For more information please contact the PCHS at 570-296-8126, email pikemuse@ptd.net or visit them online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
May 11th, 2010
Pike County Historical Society Announces Annual Membership Banquet
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society is pleased to announce that their annual membership banquet, meeting, and election of officers will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at The Windy Dog Restaurant, located on Twin Lakes Road in Shohola, Pa.
A brief meeting will take place at 7:00pm, at which election of officers for 2010-2011 will take place. All members are invited to participate. Following the meeting, dinner will be served. This year our guest speaker will be Professor Josephine Dunn of the University of Scranton. Professor Dunn will elaborate on her recent undertaking of researching the life and times of Pike County's own Cornelia Bryce Pinchot.
A donation of $50 includes dinner.
For more information please contact the PCHS at 570-296-8126, email pikemuse@ptd.net or visit them online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
April 19, 2010
Memories of Milford
Milford, PA - Milford resident Vicki Ciesielski, formerly Vicki Spotts of Hotel Fauchere fame, will be on hand at the Pike County Historical Society’s Columns Museum on May 8, 2010 to talk about her days spent at the Hotel Fauchere when her family owned an operated it.
The Columns recently installed an exhibit that features many old menus, wine lists and memorabilia surrounding the hotel.
Miss Ciesielski recently visited the museum and reminisced about her life at the Hotel Fauchere with the museum director and volunteer staff. The historical society has encouraged Miss Ciesielski to have her comments made public in a casual setting for interested parties. A wine and cheese reception will be held on May 8th between 4 and 6pm.
The public, as well as members, are invited to hear what the feisty 92 year old has to say.
For more information please contact the PCHS at 570-296-8126, email pikemuse@ptd.net or visit them online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
April 19, 2010
Historical Society To Celebrate "Pinkster"
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) is pleased to announce it will be hosting a Pinkster celebration on Sunday May 23, 2010.
Pinkster is a spring festival originated by the Dutch as a religious holiday. "Pinksteren", meaning Pentecost, was celebrated since the early 17th century by Dutch settlers. It was a time of rest and to gather and celebrate religious services like baptisms and confirmations. For their African Slaves, Pinkster was a time free from work and a chance to gather and catch up with family and friends located throughout New England. By the mid 19th century, however, Pinkster evolved into a primarily African-American Holiday celebrated by slaves and free blacks, and liberally seasoned with African culture and traditions.
Pinkster is celebrated over several days. Both the Dutch and Africans enjoyed drinking, games dance and music. Sellers decorated their stalls and carts with greenery and flowers, especially azaleas, which were associated with Pentecost. The dances practiced were a combination of African and European steps and elements, creating new dances which were the precursors to modern tap and break dancing.
The slaves used the opportunity of Pinkster to take jabs at whites, mimicking and ridiculing, some of the white culture and habits through dramas, speeches, storytelling, and song.
Milford and Pike County have an interesting history when it comes to the celebration of Pinkster. "The red letter day of the year was Pinkster." This is written in Charles F. Rockwell's "Recollections of Men, Customs and Events in Milford Pennsylvania and Vicinity" (1889) in the chapters recalling the adventures of a negro named "Old Adam" who resided above Sawkill Creek near the Glen. To celebrate at Adam's place one particular year, Rockwell writes: "the stove was taken out and all the furniture removed except a wooden bottom chair in each of two corners of the room on which stood the two old negroes Harry and Frank, one to call off and the other to play the violin."
This celebration included square dancing similar to the Virginia Reel and ended in what was called a "Patting Juber" where folks clapped their hands and kept time with their feet while young boys threw off some of their best steps to a roar of applause, both inside and out of the house. Mr. Rockwell describes this as "as happy as a scene as I have ever looked upon."
It came to the Pike County Historical Society's attention, through the research of Museum Director Lori Strelecki, that Pinkster was celebrated in 1830 on the property in the Glen known as "Arrowhead". This is the property that belongs to the National Park Service and is leased to the Virginia Kidd Agency, located across from the Metz Ice House, in the Glen, on the banks of the Sawkill Creek.
Please join us on Sunday May 23, 2010 from Noon 'til 3:00pm for a Pinkster Celebration which will include food and beverages provided by the good folks at Belle Reve and a Pinkster re-enactment provided by Maxwell Kofi-Donkoor and his troupe of Pinkster portrayers. They will tell the story of Pinkster through traditional dance, drumming and costumed story-telling. This event is free and open to the public.
The celebration will take place in the Glen, on the grounds of the Virginia Kidd Agency.
For more information please contact the PCHS at 570-296-8126, email pikemuse@ptd.net or visit them online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
March 25, 2010
The Pike County Historical Society Announces New Art Exhibit
Milford, PA - People of the Bible, an exhibition of hand pulled, limited edition linoleum block prints by Joyce Ellen Weinstein, will open at the Pike County Historical Societies (PCHS), Columns Museum on Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 between 3 and 5pm.
The linoleum block prints are the artist’s personal interpretations of biblical characters based readings. They are created from a contemporary perspective and are meant to be accessible to the contemporary audience. In the description of these works the artist offered: “Although literally the figures are derived from the Bible, they are used as a metaphor for the human condition on a universal level. All peoples, regardless of who they are, and where they come from, grapple with the same issues of suffering, questioning, joy and morality.”
Born and raised in NYC, Joyce Ellen Weinstein recently moved to Milford PA. Her works can be seen in permanent and private collections in the United States and Europe. She is among the artists included in “Fixing the World”: Jewish American Artists of the Twentieth Century, published by the Brandies Division of New England University Press and The Book as Art, National Museum of Women in the Arts. She has received many honors and awards and has been named a Fulbright Senior Specialist Candidate; three times finalist and one time winner of the Metro D.C. Dance Awards for Scenic Design.
The Pike County Historical Society is pleased to have this exhibit open in concurrence with many religious commemorations, including Easter and Passover. The exhibit is being sponsored by Miriam Siegel, Vice President of P.C.H.S. The Columns Museum plans to display the many Family Bibles in their archives, along with the art.
Please join us on Saturday April 3, 2010 from 3-5pm on the Main Floor of the Columns Museum, 608 Broad Street, Milford. For more info call 570-296-8126
March 23, 2010
Ray Weeks' Winter Wednesday's Performance Re-Scheduled
Milford, PA - Due to inclement weather, on two occasions, the second performance in the Pike County Historical Society's (PCHS) Winter Wednesday's Concert Series was canceled. It has been re-scheduled for Wednesday April 21, 2010, and will be held in The Cypress Room at the Cliff Park Inn, Milford.
Ray Weeks, current President of P.C.H.S. will bring his musical ensemble and perform a tribute to his late wife Emilie Shadel. The ensemble includes the lovely and talented Terry Dixon on vocals.
Emilie was a long time member and board member of the Pike County Historical Society and she is dearly missed by Ray, her friends, and colleagues. The tribute, titled Memories of Emilie, will include many of her favorite songs.
Tickets to the performance are $25 and "season passes" will be honored.
For more info call 570-296-8126. Reservations are suggested.
For more information, visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
March 8, 2010
Pike County Historical Society to Host "Thank You" Wine and Cheese Reception
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) is pleased to invite the public to a very special social.
An ongoing campaign to have 23 original World War II posters preserved and framed has proven to be quite successful, and the public is invited to help us pay tribute to the generosity of those who sponsored a poster.
The posters where found, many years ago, tucked away in an attic closet of the 22 room mansion known as the Columns Museum, home to the PCHS. They were folded and in a manila envelope. The first step in preserving these treasured pieces of poster art, were taken by, then, Milford resident and local framery owner Maryellen Walsh. Ms. Walsh gladly offered to carefully unfold them and to mount and wrap the posters in archival materials, free of charge, until the day came when the PCHS could afford to have them framed and preserved for the ages. An ongoing campaign to do just that has seen great success, thanks to the sponsorship campaign. The posters are currently on exhibit in the Music Room of the Columns Museum, and on March 20th a reception will be held as a "thank you" to the sponsors.
Posters still available for sponsorship will be displayed as well in hopes of getting a few more saved.
The reception will begin a 4pm on Saturday March 20th, please join us free of charge. Please call 570-296-8126. For more information, visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
March 2nd, 2010
Mary Todd Lincoln at the Century Club in Scranton
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society brought its own one act play about Mary Todd Lincoln to The Century Club in Scranton on February 11th. The portrayal, written by museum director Lori Strelecki and performed by Ruth Randone, was a great hit with the ladies of the Century Club. The Club is the oldest woman's club in the area, and the ladies enjoyed high tea after the performance. The arrangements for the performance were made by Professor Josephine Dunn of the University of Scranton, who is a friend in history to the Columns Museum; the two have worked on projects together before.
"It was a great honor to bring this presentation to the women of the Century Club" said Strelecki, "they thoroughly enjoyed Ruth's portrayal".
The Columns is willing to perform the short play for any other organization that may be interested. Please call 570-296-8126 for more information.
For more information, visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Left to right Lori Strelecki, Professor Josephine Dunn and Ryth Randone (Aka Mary Todd Lincoln) at the Century Club in Scranton.
February 11th, 2010
What's the Password?
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) has a very special event planned as a "fun raiser" this year. On March 12, 2010 at 7pm we will host a Speakeasy at the Tom Quick Inn in Milford.
The Historical Society is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2010 and what a better way to celebrate than taking a historical look at the political climate of the time, eighty years ago, in the Tri-State area?
In 1930 Prohibition was in effect in Pike County. Cornelia Pinchot led the charge in her campaign for Congress by touting herself as "dry and progressive". The PCHS would like to turn back the hands of time to the days of prohibition and turn the Tom Quick Inn’s fabulous banquet room into our very own speakeasy- complete with flappers, time appropriate music, and a bit of illegal libation…but don't tell anyone!
To gain entry you must first be supplied with the secret password. This can be obtained by purchasing your ticket, for a donation of $50. Feel free to wear the dress of the period and practice your Charleston! Admission includes an Italian buffet, dessert and coffee. Live music, dancing girls, a special performance by “Trixie LaRue”, games of chance and a guaranteed good time, are what anyone in attendance can look forward to.
Monies raised will go to offset the delay of State funding for general operating support. The PCHS is dedicated to the preservation of our County's history and as the official historical society of the County we take our mission statement seriously.
Our organization needs your help to continue in our mission and in keeping history alive and well in old Pike County. Please help us by reserving your spot at the event of the year, but don't spill the beans, we don't need a "hatchetation"!
For more information, or to reserve, please call 570-296-8126 or visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
February 4th, 2010
Presidents Day Luncheon and Exhibit Opening
Milford, PA - The Pike County Historical Society's Columns Museum, home to the famous Lincoln Flag, will celebrate Presidents Day, Monday February 15th, with a luncheon and historical exhibition.
For the first time ever the Museum will display the three stage costumes that were given to the Society, by Vivian Paul Struthers in 1954, which belonged to his mother, Jeannie Gourlay.
Of the three costumes, one in particular, known as the "Stars and Stripes" has been exhibited not only here in Milford, but also at the Lehigh Valley Historical Society in Allentown. This particular costume was worn by Ms. Gourlay at Ford's theatre the evening of President Lincoln's assassination. Although all three costumes need much restoration work, the Museum Director and the museum's Vintage Clothing Committee feel the public should be made aware of these relics in hopes someone will take the financial initiative in a campaign to restore them. Vintage Clothing Committee member Dixie Rich, a costumer designer by trade, has done much work recently on the gowns in order to stabilize them from further demise. The gowns will be displayed in the Lincoln Room of the Museum and guests attending the luncheon will be offered a tour and a first look at the gowns afterwards.
As for the luncheon, the Museum Director's famous "chicken and stars" soup will be served with a variety of sandwiches and, of course, birthday cake! The cost for the lunch is a $10 donation and it starts at noon in the Foundation Room of the Columns Museum, located at 608 Broad Street in Milford. Please call 570-296-8126 to reserve.
The Cypress Room at The Cliff Park Inn presents
Winter Wednesdays 2010 Schedule
Wednesday February 3, 2010
Martha Lorin with Don Miller on Bass and Johnny O'Neal on Piano
Wednesday February 10, 2010
Ray Weeks on piano with "Memories of Emily"
A tribute to the late Emily Shadel.
Featuring vocalist Terri Dixon.
Wednesday February 17, 2010
Ronny Whyte with John Hart on Guitar, Boots Maleson on Bass and Bob Keller, Tenor Sax
Cash Bar and appetizers and dessert menu available in The Cypress Room from 7-10pm Dinner seating in The Maple Room beginning at 4:30pm Early Bird Specials!
Tickets to all performances are $25 and all shows are at Cliff Park Inn starting at 7pm. A special "Season Pass" can be purchased for $60 which allows admission to all three performances. Please call to reserve your place today!
January, 2010
The Columns Announces New Art Exhibit and Reception:
“Night Flight on Canvas”
Milford PA - The Pike County Historical Society will host a temporary art exhibit beginning Friday December 4th and running through the end of January.
The latest showing is brought to us by John Kolbek, a young artist from Bushkill, Pa, who works in oils to depict “surrealisms”. John was one of 11 people, world wide, selected as “Illustrator of the Year” as per the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the future showcase.
He has shown his work in many New York galleries, and was featured, locally, at the APA Gallery. Mr. Kolbek is a graduate of North Hampton and Kutztown Colleges, and has had much recent success with the sale of a poster he created for the “Beyond the Wall” company, titled: “Forever 27”. John also does intricate inkwork, which he refers to simply as “doodleisms”. He is slated to exhibit his work in many upcoming shows, including debuts at The White Rabbit Gallery in New York and Art and Soul in Allentown.
John Kolbek’s works offer a surreal look at religion, children’s hopes and fears, and other curiosities and questions that might be on the mind of a contemporary artist who is thoughtful and introspect. His bold, confident strokes of color are matched by a subtlety of inner content that may cause the gallery-goer to spend quite some time looking at any given piece. The exhibit will be featured through the end of December.
The exhibit may seem a bit out of place at first, but as it turns out many abstract artifacts from the museum’s inventory have mingled well with the art. Most note-worthy perhaps is the inclusion of “Gertrude”. Gertrude, fondly named after Mrs. Bloomgarden, is an antique mannequin that made its way to the Columns many years ago when the Milford Department store, “Bloomgardens”, closed. Interest piqued?
This exhibit was sponsored by Davis and Judy Chant.
For more information on programming offered at The Pike County Historical Society’s Museum visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
January, 2010
Costume Designer Joins Pike County Historical Society Volunteer Staff
Milford PA - The Pike County Historical Society is proud to announce the addition of Dixie Crawford-Rich to their volunteer staff. Mrs. Crawford-Rich has over 50 years of experience in the theater as a costume designer and theater manager. Her talents are endless when it comes to being a seamstress and has signed on with the Pike County Historical Society to head up the Museum’s Vintage Clothing Committee. Dixie has an extensive list of productions which she has designed the costuming for, including Dracula at the Stonington Opera House in Maine, Isadora at the Gorilla Theater in Tampa and she also worked with the Boston Ballet for 5years. Dixie had to give up her passion for design when her husband became ill. She is happy to spend some time at the Columns Museum, working to repair some of the gowns and detailing the histories of the collection. Mrs. Crawford-Rich comments that “the Columns’ clothing collection is fabulous, although some of it needs a lot of work that cannot realistically be completed without a great amount of funding, but we can reconstruct some elements and document any alterations in the event the clothing becomes a candidate for detailed restoration.”
The first showing on her agenda will be of hats. The Columns has some interesting pieces, including “lids” that belonged to William Jennings Bryan and Queen Elizabeth.
The exhibit of hats will be displayed in the dining room of the Columns and will remain on display until mid January when they will be replaced by an exhibit on Jeannie Gourlay, the woman who brought the famous Lincoln Flag to Milford. The exhibit will include her stage costumes and the famous “Stars and Stripes” gown among others. The Pike County Historical Society’s Columns Museum, located at 608 Broad Street in Milford, Pa. is open Wednesday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 1-4pm.
For more information on programming offered at The Pike County Historical Society’s Museum visit us online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org
