The history of the Poconos will be explored in a conference from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2013, presented by East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) and the Monroe County Historical Association. \u201cComing to the Poconos – A Conference on Local History\u201d will be held in the Niedbala Auditorium in the Warren E. ’55 and Sandra Hoeffner Science and Technology Center on the ESU campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudying the history of our area allows us to bridge the gap between our work-a-day worlds and the past, a past that continues to resonate around us,\u201d said Martin Wilson, Ph.D., associate professor of history at ESU. \u201cPlace names, railroad tracks, old buildings, the layout of our streets, for example, speak to us of days gone by. This conference will help us to recognize evidence of the past that we might otherwise overlook, and thereby increase our knowledge of the present.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conference is open to the general public and at no cost.<\/p>\n
The presentation schedule is as follows:<\/p>\n
Welcome and Introduction
\n9:15 – 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
Session I<\/strong> Christopher Brooks, Dr. phil., assistant professor of history, ESU Laura Munn, student, ESU Tim Edwards, student, ESU Shawna Serpe, Moravian Museum of Bethlehem Session II<\/strong> Jeffrey Wright, Little Bethel Historical Association Brian Young, Lehigh University Rick Bodenschatz, Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township Bernadine Lennon and Diane Smith, Greene-Dreher Historical Society Lunch Session III<\/strong> Jim Werkheiser, Pocono-Jackson Townships Historical Society John Layton, Paradise Township Historical Society Kathleen Sandt, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Ben Cohen, Independent Scholar
\n9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
\nOrigin of Select Brodhead Watershed Place Names
\nChair: Sara Dickey, graduate student, ESU<\/p>\n
\nSambo Creek: A Short History of a Troublesome Toponym<\/p>\n
\nThe Naming of Dry Sawmill Run and Big Meadow Run<\/p>\n
\nTom X Run and Newton Run<\/p>\n
\nAn Explanation of the Naming of Brodhead Creek and Marshalls Creek<\/p>\n
\n10:30 a.m. – noon
\nEarly Arrivals
\nChair: Erin O\u2019Donnell, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, ESU<\/p>\n
\nFirst European Settlers of Monroe County: Dutch Diversity and Pragmatism<\/p>\n
\nWalking Purchase \u2014 Neither a Walk Nor a Purchase: What Was It?<\/p>\n
\nSullivan’s Expedition in Tobyhanna Township<\/p>\n
\nHopedale Church Mission and the Newfoundland Settlement \u2014 1831\u20131850<\/p>\n
\nNoon – 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
\n1 – 2:30 p.m.
\nGetting to the Poconos
\nChair: Bonar Hernandez, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, ESU<\/p>\n
\nThe Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Railroad<\/p>\n
\nThe Delaware, Lackawanna & Western<\/p>\n
\nHaving A Swell Time: A Postcard History of the Poconos<\/p>\n
\nA River Runs Through It: Contemplating the Value of Nature’s Bounty in Northeast Pennsylvania<\/p>\n