What are the opening hours?

Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 4pm

Sullivan County Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 458 Meylert Street, Laporte, PA (2026)

08/31/2026

TOURING SULLIVAN COUNTY’S MUSEUM . . . while dusting

"With the Sullivan County Fair going on, we thought it a good time to reflect. From the Sullivan County Agricultural Society’s (first as it was known by) minutes book, the following notice on the inside cover:"

“Note of interest for sports fans: In the back of this book – on pages 232, 233, 234, 235 – are listed ball teams with players’ names from Hillsgrove, Shunk, Murray [Murray Town], East Forks, Sonestown, and Dushore. One reason given as to why these lists are in this Agricultural Society minutes book: baseball would have provided entertainment to fair participants.” Those referenced pages actually appear in a second binding, as all pages were archivally cleaned and placed in acid free sleeves for protection and viewing."

"The Charter members listed in that 1897 minutes were: Edward Bergan, Benj. Vaughn, John Wright, M.A. Rogers, J.K. Bird, E.M. Dunham, W.M. Edkin, Tos. J. Ingham, G.F. Hunsinger, David Molyneux, Lyman Speaker, Wm. Molyneux, A.E. Strong, Mrs. J.N. Martin, Geo. C. Jackson, Rush J. Thompson, John H. Laurence, Lyman Baker and D.T. Huckle. Many of these names and the 63 listed names of Life Members reads like a who’s-who for descendants of those initially involved in what we know today as the Sullivan County Fair. So, whether you’re from here, a ‘married in’, a new property owner or simply partaking of Sullivan County for pleasure – come join us at our ‘country fair’ for the food, vendors, events, competition and just some down-home visiting. The fair itself has grown and evolved over time but the atmosphere has remained the same for all to enjoy."

We will be at the Fair in the Fiester Building, September 3rd thru 6th . The Museum will be officially closed from now until June but we can make appointments for the suggested days of Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather and personal health permitting. Also visit our website at scpahistory.com. We can be reached by phone 570-946-5020 or emailing [email protected].

https://www.scpahistory.com/touring-articles1

08/24/2026

TOURING SULLIVAN COUNTY’S MUSEUM . . . while dusting

The Museum was given prints by B. (Bert) C. Heinrich, Jr. from the St. Paul’s U.M. Church when they closed, as did their community hall. Bert was a local artist who passed away July 3rd, 2010. Born in 1927 to Berton, Sr. and mother Lillian Graham. He had served in the Navy during the Korean War, also as chaplain. Later he worked for 27 years for Sprout Waldron Co. in Muncy. At the Sullivan County Fair, we will be offering prints for sale. They can be purchased for $15 for four color and $12 for black and white, until they are each are sold out. Following the Fair, we will have them at the Museum in Laporte, again, as supply of each print last. If mailing prints it will be additional shipping and handling.

Here is a listing of the prints available:

Caboose of W&NB (before refurbishing at Stroudsburg – color

Nordmont Trestle with Engine 6 of W&NB – color

Nordmont Trestle with Engine 25 of W&NB, circa 1900 – B&W

Nordmont School, 1930’s, still stands next to the old depot – color
Stone Arch, circa 1900 with #4 Engine of W&NB – B&W

Cherry Grove Chapel – B&W

Nordmont Covered Bridge, dismantled in 1954 – B&W

St. Paul’s U.M. Church – B&W

Ticklish Rock – B&W

Remains of Boston home – B&W

Nordmont RR Station, 1800’s with Engine #6 – B&W

Elk Run Falls – B&W

Any combination of these prints in either color or black & white can be purchased, as well as a single at $3 for B&W or $5 for color. These prints were for fundraising for the church and now have been graciously donated to the Museum to also serve as a fundraiser for YOUR Museum.

The prints will be on display in the Fiester Building during the Fair, then afterwards at the Museum. Speaking of the Fair, we will be there from Sept. 3rd to the 6th, from 12 to 8 p.m. those days. The Museum will unofficially be open from after the Fair until June 4th when we’ll be officially open again in 2027. All are welcome and there is no admission fee. Contacting us for appointments, please either email [email protected] or phone 570-946-5020. You can also check us out on our website of scpahistory.com.

To read more touring articles from the past, please visit:

https://www.scpahistory.com/touring-articles1

08/17/2026

TOURING SULLIVAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY . . . while dusting

"From the annals of a publication from Lycoming County of the Now & Then booklets comes the following excerpt:"

“When nearly grown up Richard (Rogers) wept one day with several of his younger brothers to inspect a bear trap, that they had set several miles away in the forest. On returning it began gradually to grow strangely and unaccountably dark. He said “a q***r feeling” came creeping over them. They saw a flock of seventeen deer; the nimble-footed creatures did not seem anxious to get away, but appeared to be, as they were themselves, strangely disconcerted. The boys stopped at a corn field some distance from the house to do some hoeing, but the mysterious darkness continued to increase, and they could not work. All nature seemed to become portendingly silent and sad, and they were in sympathy with the universal gloom. They did not know what it meant. The younger brothers began to cry. Richard now said, “Come, boys, I guess we might as well go home.” With all the apathy he could muster, but secretly he himself was no less strangely effected. They went home, and were soon comforted. The darkness was caused by a total eclipse of the sun.*"

For this and more, you can contact YOUR Museum by phoning 570-946-5020 or emailing [email protected] for inquiries or an appointment. We will yet be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 to 4 this coming weekend and the following one. Then we’ll have a booth in the Fiester Building during the fair.

To read the rest of this week's touring article, or to peruse our catalogue of articles, please visit:

https://www.scpahistory.com/touring-articles1

08/10/2026

TOURING SULLIVAN COUNTY’S MUSEUM . . . while dusting

"With recent road construction and flooding, it came to mind to unearth an old write-up from Sept. 1895’s Sullivan Review. The article is unsigned. Today the road spoken about is Route 154."

“It was the writer’s privilege to travel the new road from Forksville to Laporte last week. As your readers are no doubt aware this road is built along Loyal Sock and Mill Creek. The grade is therefore excellent as it follows very nearly the natural grade of these two streams. To residents of this county who have been compelled to travel the old road over the mountain via EaglesMere to get from the western districts to the county seat, the opening up of this new thoroughfare is a cause for hearty congratulation and thanksgiving. The distance by the old road was fifteen miles. By the new road it is but nine. A trip over the old road involved the climbing of a mountain. By the new road the only ascent is the natural grade of the streams along which the road passes, and this ascent is so gradual that it is no hardship. The time required to travel the old road was about four hours. By the new road the trip can be made in less than half that time and with much less danger and fatigue. Altogether the opening of this road markes a new era in the history of Sullivan county, bringing together, as it does, the two sections of the county."

For this and more you can visit YOUR Museum on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 to 4 or contact us for an appointment by either phoning 570-946-5020 or emailing [email protected] Also, visit our web site at sccpahistry.com. During the upcoming Sullivan County Fair, we will have a booth in the Fiester Building but for lack of enough volunteers, the Museum itself will not be open. Future appointments can be made because we generally work from fall to spring on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Making an appointment is highly recommended due to weather and health.

To read the rest of this week's article please visit:

https://www.scpahistory.com/touring-articles1

08/03/2026

See below for this week's touring article!

08/01/2026

TODAY at 2:00 PM, please join us at Elk Lake Retreat, formerly Camp Brule for a special historical presentation by our very own Melanie Norton! We'll be talking about Sullivan County's first murder!!! 🤕🪓😡

07/27/2026

TOURING SULLIVAN COUNTY’S MUSEUM . . . while dusting

"Have you been to the Sullivan County Courthouse? Have you seen a large tree in its yard on the corner of Rte. 42 (Main Street) and Muncy Street? Well, even if you haven’t noticed it – it is worth a look see. As we just celebrated our 250th year of our country’s inception, it was thought to bring to your attention a bit of our own history for Sullivan County, PA."

"The tree in question is a European Linden or commonly known as “Basswood” or “lime”, which flowers at the end of June or early July and produces clear almost transparent honey with a hint of mint flavor and attractively fragrant. The Linden tree has shallow roots which if close to a sidewalk would raise them. The leaves of the tree have heart-shaped asymmetrical leaves and is highly fragrant. It is specifically called Tilia corda or little leaf Linden tree. Hence, the myth that partnerships (including marriages), arguments resolved and the lack of ability to lie surfaced from recorded history."

"... Although we’ve no proof as to its exact age, it is guessed to have been planted in the latter part of the 1800’s or very early 1900’s. We’ve supplied the two photos of the Linden tree at different times of growth. Many thanks to Henry and Ann Street for supplying information and also the enormous amounts of time over time to care for the trees of Laporte. "

For this and more, the Museum is located behind the Courthouse on the corner of Main & Muncy Streets in Laporte. It is officially open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are manned by all volunteers and there is no admission fee. For further contact you can phone 570-946-5020 or email us as [email protected] and like us on Facebook.

A reminder about the History Quest talk on Sat., Aug.1st at Elk Lake Retreat (formerly Camp Brule) at 2 p.m. on the “First Hanging in Sullivan County”. This is open to the public at no charge.

To read the rest of this week's touring article or to check out the rest of our online archives, please visit:

https://www.scpahistory.com/touring-articles1

07/20/2026

TOURING SULLIVAN COUNTY’S MUSEUM . . . while dusting

A piece from the July 1959 Sully caught our eye out of curiosity with the title of Hiding Marquis in Wine Cask Led to Naming of County Seat (of) Laporte.

“When a wine merchant in the Mediterranean seaport of Marselle hid a French marquis in a wine cask and put it aboard a ship bound for America, he little dreamed he was starting a train of events which would cause a Pennsylvania town to bear his family name.

“For the stout-hearted Bartholomew Laporte was a husky soul and true to a friend in need, and the Marquis Antoline Omer Talon, whom he put in the cask, had to escape terrorists of the French revolution or lose his head.

“Laporte, Sullivan County (PA), is the smallest county seat in the state and has a lake within its borough limits.

“The Laporte who secreted the marquis came along to America on the same ship and became a United States citizen. They were led to northwestern Pennsylvania by the French colonists who fled here during the years when Parisian aristocrats were terrorized by the revolutionists.

“It was a son of Bartholomew, John Laporte, who became a judge, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and state surveyor-general, for who the Sullivan County seat was named. The name, in French, means “a dweller at the gateway”....

"Such is just one of the stories in Sullivan County’s history. Another story coming up is a talk for the Museum’s History Quest 2026 on the “First Hanging in Sullivan County”. In a nut shell, this was a murder that took place at the site of the talk in 1856. This will be held at the Elk Lake Retreat (formerly Boy Scout Camp Brule) on North Street (off of Route 4007) in Elkland Township. The GPS coordinates are 41.5685838 N by 76.6660798 W. The date is Sat., August 1st at 2 p.m. You’d be turning onto North Street at St. Peter’s Church. Cold tea and bottled water, along with homemade cookies will be available. All are welcome and it is a free admission event."

To read the rest of this week's touring article, and much more, please visit:

https://www.scpahistory.com/touring-articles1

Photo: French Azilum Dress

06/19/2026

Please remember we are open Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM! We would love to host you for all your historical needs! 📖📚🌳

06/04/2026

Starting TOMORROW! We will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM! We cannot wait to host visitors! If you love Sullivan County, we are FOR YOU! 🪏🪓🪵🚂

Sullivan County Historical Society of Pennsylvania

08/31/2026

08/24/2026

08/17/2026

08/10/2026

08/03/2026

08/01/2026

07/27/2026

07/20/2026

06/19/2026

06/04/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request