New exhibits, one about early Wayne County pharmacies and another having to do with quilting await the Saturday, May 22nd open house at the Wayne County Historical Society, Honesdale.
Admission is free all day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Main Museum at 810 Main St., Honesdale. Also featured is the recently opened, permanent exhibit on the story of Wayne County’s four star general, Lyman L. Lemnitzer, and the Society’s many long-standing exhibits, described later.
Due to Covid-19 precautions, there won’t be any refreshments available at the Open House this year. Face masks and social distancing will be enforced.
“As WCHS takes this big step in reopening, the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and museum visitors will continue to be our first priority,” Carol Dunn, Executive Director, stated.
“Museum visitors will find two wonderful new exhibits,” Dunn said.
Threads of Our Lives is a major gathering of local pieces created using quilting, weaving, candlewicking and other art forms in which threads and fabrics are used by the makers. WCHS holds an impressive collection of textile pieces which have been donated by members of our community, and the display of these art forms will be a visual feast! The exhibit includes textile examples from the Civil War era to the present.
The second new exhibit is History of Wayne County’s Independent Pharmacies. The original research on this topic has never been compiled before, and volunteer Sally Talaga, who is a trained pharmacist herself, is documenting this important industry and curating this exhibit. Pharmaceutical items including little glass bottles that long ago held pills and liquid remedies will be on display. The names and biographies of local pharmacists will be included.
“This exhibit is WCHS’ way of saying ‘Thank You’ to the front-line workers at our hospitals, doctors’ offices and nursing facilities during the pandemic. How blessed we are to have so many capable and caring people in our community,” Dunn stated.
The ongoing exhibits include Movin’ Energy and the full-scale replica of the Stourbridge Lion are being polished for your visit. Other exhibits that are perennial favorites are Faces in Clay which features Native American objects from the Upper Delaware River Valley, and Wayne County’s Glass Industry with amazing pieces of brilliant cut glass made or decorated in Wayne County. The Children’s History Lab has hands-on stations for children of all ages, and is waiting for children to laugh and play in its creative exhibits once again.
Barbara Lewis, of Honesdale, also will be on hand with her new book, “Dear Barbara: The Life of Bud Lewis (1912-1989),” which is available for sale. The richly illustrated book preserves memories written down by her later father, Arthur “Bud” Lewis, to pass down to Barbara. They tell about his life growing up in Honesdale, and his account of his experiences in World War II serving in the Navy. Barbara was the only child of Bud and Ruth Noble Lewis.
For the remainder of 2021, the Main Museum and Research Library will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, appointments to do research in the Research Library can be scheduled by phoning 570-253-3240, Ext.4.
At 1 p.m., Monday, May 31, Memorial Day, the Society plans to officially dedicate the General Lemnitzer monument in front of the museum.
The dedication will be after the parade and the Memorial Day ceremony which is held in Central Park. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at 5th and Main Streets, heads up Main to 9th and turns, to conclude at the park for the Memorial Day ceremony. Further information on the Lemnitzer Monument dedication will follow in a separate press release.
For more information call the Main Museum at 570-253-3240.
— Peter Becker/Tri-County Independent via Associated Press
