Susquehanna County Historical Society

06/19/2026

June 19 is the date to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and refers to the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War. Texas was one of the most remote locations in the Confederacy and saw the presence of insufficient Union soldiers to enforce the Proclamation before then. While slavery was not technically ended in all parts of America for a few years, the day is still marked as one of remembrance, joy and hope.

06/15/2026

Join us at the Susquehanna County Historical Society for this fascinating talk. .” The speaker will be Robert Baker who will share some images of what life was like at Andersonville, GA, and Florence, SC prisons, based on accounts of 52nd Pa. Inf. soldiers. An additional Fireside Chat on an aspect of the Civil War will be presented in early August.

When the prisoner exchange system broke down during the Civil War, both the Union and Confederacy developed camps to hold prisoners of war. Two such Southern camps were Andersonville and Florence Stockade. Andersonville was created in February 1864 and served until April 1865 and was the prison for 45,000 during that time. Florence Stockade was active from September 1864 through February 1865 and had seen 18,000 Union soldiers. Conditions in both Northern and Southern camps were harsh and there were high mortality levels.

Robert Baker is a former local newspaper editor. He is currently a volunteer at the G.A.R. Civil War Museum in Scranton and researches this time period.

The Fireside Chat is a free event presented by the Susquehanna County Historical Society. There is elevator accessibility for those with mobility issues that may be arranged by calling the Society at 570-278-1622.

06/15/2026

The Center for Anti-Slavery Studies will conduct a walking tour though Montrose on June 27.

Anti-Slavery sentiment began early in Susquehanna County and an organized movement against slavery likewise began early. It was initially not well received by the entire community but, over time, the atmosphere changed with heightened knowledge of the horrors of slavery. While mostly unrecorded, enough evidence has been documented as evidence that Montrose and neighboring communities were stops on the Underground Railroad where freedom seekers could find refuge. A number of formerly enslaved persons and their families made Susquehanna County their home and made vital contributions to the county and the nation.

This walk is presented in cooperation with the Waverly Community House and the Endless Mountain Heritage Region.

06/12/2026

Celebrate the beginning of Summer at the Susquehanna County Historical Society with the Montrose Library Branch. Sue Stone loved reading and the outdoors and what a better way to honor her than to sit beneath the tree and share some books. Then wander in to the museum to learn about this county's fabulous history. We ;look forward to seein you there!

06/11/2026

What parts did children play during the American Revolution? Join us for an age appropriate talk about the lives of youngsters 250 years ago and how they helped at home and for the efforts for Independence. We'll keep it fun with a scavenger hunt, museum tour and more. Please reserve your space ahead of time so that we can accommodate your family.

06/09/2026

Don't miss Big Boy over the Martins Creek and Nicholson Viaducts on a trip through Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties this week!

It's coming around the bend! 600 tons of American railroad heritage, Union Pacific Big Boy 4014.

Big Boy 4014 will officially arrive in Scranton at Steamtown National Historic Site on June 15.

Come see a living marvel of American engineering and railroading's past. 85 years ago, the first batch of massive Big Boys rolled out of the American Locomotive Company's shops bound for the Rocky Mountains. Now Big Boy 4014, the only operating Big Boy remaining, returns east for the first time since 1941 for a special reunion with Steamtown's Big Boy 4012.

Big Boy 4014 will remain at Steamtown NHS from June 15 through June 30 before beginning its trip to Philadelphia for the 4th of July.

Begin planning your trip by visiting our official website at nps.gov/stea and purchasing your tickets at recreation.gov.

*PLEASE NOTE*: Steamtown National Historic Site will be closed Sunday, June 14 in preparation for the Big Boy Reunion event.

Image: Freshly painted Big Boy 4012 is pushed out of the former Lackawanna roundhouse at Steamtown NHS, 2021. NPS Image.

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06/08/2026

06/07/2026

While doing your spring cleaning, don't forget that the Blueberry Festival White Elephant Sale collection is now taking place. The Festival benefits the Susquehanna County Historical Society and our great library branches. Clean that attic and donate!

06/03/2026

Check out NEPA Gives and support the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association. Click the link to learn more about NEPA Gives. https://www.nepagives.org/