By: Sophia Braida
The club was created to honor and study local traditions and customs. Its mission is to help inform students about the origins of their school and communities. Members can take part in various roles, from performing in events to researching behind the scenes. This approach ensures that everyone can contribute despite their interests.
Each year, the club hosts two major events. One of these events includes the haunted ghost tours held on October 24 at the Dorflinger Glass Worker’s House in White Mills. The History Club works to create scripts based on stories from the book Murder, Mayhem, and Sundry Misadventures created by the Wayne County Historical Society. The book’s context includes true and unusual deaths recorded in newspapers from around the 1850s to 1910s. Using these stories to assist the creation of their scripts, the group provides a more horrific glimpse of the past.
Another of the club’s more major events includes the annual fourth-grade field trip. During this field trip, fourth-grade students visit the Lock 31 Canal House in White Mills, learn about canal boats on the Lackawaxen River, visit the glass museum, and tour a local one-room schoolhouse. They aim to provide the students with many historical tours of our area.
The Local History Club believes history is crucial for making informed decisions about the future by learning from our past actions and mistakes. By learning both positive and negative moments in the past, students can better understand and navigate their own lives. The club also emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s identity through the history of their surroundings.
Overall, Wallenpaupack’s Local History Club is a fun, laid-back group that enjoys researching and discussing historical topics as they arise. With no strict goals, the club maintains a relaxed environment where its members can openly discuss and explore their local history together.
