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About Us!

 

We are here to preserve Susquehanna County's History, and to allow the public to learn their heritage here. We have a Museum that is FREE to the Public! There is also a Genealogy Research Department that can be used for just $10.00 a day by non-members (free to members). We also provide ways for research to be done if you can't come in, just check out our Research Page for more details. If you want to Become a Member  you can pay the annual $30.00 membership fee, and that gives you access on any regular business day to look through the materials for free and you will receive a copy of our Annual Journal. (Members still have to pay for any print outs and copies made while researching).

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We are Open:

May-September: 

Monday -Thursday 9:00AM-5:00PM

 

October-April: 

Monday, & Thursday 9:00AM-5:00PM;

Tuesday & Wednesday 12:00PM-5:00PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  We are Closed on New Year's, Good Friday,

Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day,

   Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve,

      Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

 

Meet Our Staff

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Bonnie Yuscavage Curator

Lisa Forba-   Assistant  Curator

Lynn Senick- Museum & Research Assistant 

Connie Snedeker - Museum & Research Assistant

Location/Contact Us

We are located at:      

18 Monument St. Montrose, PA. 18801 

Next to the post office and across the green from the Court House.

(Google map below).      

 

 

You can reach us by 

phone: 570-278-1622

or

E-mailinfo@susqcohistsoc.org 

 

You can also check us out on 

 

Facebook

 

  • Wix Facebook page

Museum & Genealogy Department Hours

 

Year Round

Monday -Thursday

9AM-5PM

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March - November

During 3rd Weekend in Montrose

Saturday 10AM - 2PM

(The Saturday following the the 3rd Friday of each month)

 

*It is recommended to make a reservation for museum tours*

*If you are traveling specifically to come here PLEASE call ahead to check our hours for the day(s) you plan on coming. Due to weather, limited staffing and other unforeseen events we sometimes have to close at irregular times, and we wouldn't want you to come all that way for nothing!*

Our History

The Susquehanna County Historical Society was founded by W. C. Cruser, owner of the Montrose Democrat, who first suggested the desirability of such an association in the columns of his paper. The idea was endorsed by many persons on a county-wide basis, and a meeting was called to be held in the Court House on May 31, 1890. Among those attending was Miss Emily Blackman, County Historian, and author of “The History of Susquehanna County,” the county’s first historical narrative. The persons present were in favor of such an organization; the Society was formed, and officers were elected. The first president was W. L. Thatcher of Harford. Meetings were held on a yearly basis in the Montrose School, and the Society prospered. In 1901 plans were made to have a permanent home, and a fund raising drive was started for this purpose.


During the early 1900's the Cope family of Philadelphia and Dimock wished to form a free library association which would benefit all of Susquehanna County and prepared plans to erect a suitable building in Montrose. It was suggested that the Historical Society and the proposed free library organization merge into one association, and this was accomplished. The mission of the SCHS & FLA has since been to support the appreciation and preservation of local history, and to nourish the joy of reading, the discovery of ideas, and the power of information.


The Tyler property on the corner of Maple St. facing Monument Square was purchased, and the house was moved to the east portion of the lot to make room for the construction of the present library building. The building was dedicated and presented to the people of Susquehanna County on November 8, 1907 by Mr. Thomas P. Cope.

 

The annual reports of the Association revealed the steady growth of the organization's service to the County. In 1957 the addition to the original building was dedicated; branch libraries were opened in Forest City, Hallstead and Susquehanna.

 

As the Historical Society and Library continued to grow and increase their outreach, it became apparent that more space was required to do the community work of both effectively. In 2017, a new library building was completed in Montrose. The Historical Society was then able to do interior reorganization to make an effective research area and museum.

 

The Society’s home in the Montrose Historic district is comprised of two floors and a basement each with a footprint of about 3100 square feet. The basement is used primarily for collection storage. The first floor houses a public genealogical and historical research area, resource room, and storage and work areas. This area provides opportunities for researchers to explore their roots or those of the county. The museum accounts for the second floor area and is open free to the public for individual and group tours.

 

While there are several other small town historical societies in the county, the Susquehanna County Historical Society is by far the largest. The Society’s wide focus includes all of the county, connecting the pieces of its history under one roof. Since its founding in 1890, the Society has been dedicated to the preservation of the story of the county’s people. It’s collection of primarily donated items includes:​​​

  • prehistoric and Contact Period Native American artifacts

  • maps generated from the time of the first colonial settlers

  • journals, family histories, and diaries

  • photographs

  • books relating to the history of the county and neighboring  

counties, state and neighboring states, and the country

  • quilts and other textiles

  • military paraphernalia

  • artwork

  • agricultural equipment 

  • newspapers that are in no other collection

  • personal items and more

The Society received a grant from the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation to participate in a Collections Assessment  Program event in June 2023 in which its building and collection care were evaluated so that the Society might continue to provide quality care of the collection. The Society has also been the grateful recipient of grants from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Endless Mountain Heritage Region and private individuals.

Where to Find Us

Google Map

Coming from the South/Tunkhannock area:

 

  • Head northeast on PA-29 N 

  • Stay left at Y to continue on PA-29 N

  • Go straight through light to Public Ave

  • Continue straight to Lake Ave

  • Turn right onto Monument St

 

We are in the brick building at the corner of Monument and Maple St.

Coming from the West/Wyalusing Area:

 

  • Take PA-706 E/Taylor Ave

  • Turn left onto Public Ave

  • Go straight to Lake Ave

  • Turn right onto Monument St

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We are in the brick building at the corner of Monument and Maple St.

Coming from the North/Binghamton NY Area:

 

  • Take S Washington St, Morgan Rd and Gardner Rd to Murphy Rd in Binghamton

  • Follow Murphy Rd to Conklin Forks Rd in Conklin

  • Take PA-29 S to Lake Ave in Bridgewater

  • Follow Lake Ave and turn left onto Monument St

 

OR

 

  • Follow I-81 S to PA-492 W/Jackson St in New Milford.

  • Take exit 223 from I-81 S

  • Take PA-706 W into Montrose

  • Go straight through light onto Lake Ave

  • Turn left onto Monument St

 

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We are in the brick building at the corner of Monument and Maple St.

*If using a GPS or looking up directions online the address may come up as  Monument Square instead of Street. If you are parking in front of our building PLEASE pull in from Lake Ave and NOT Maple St, it is a one way street.  Monument St. begins off of Lake Ave. On Lake Ave at the "top" of the green there is a small parking lot you can enter, from there turn right. Monument St. comes down past the the Fire Hall and Post Office and ends at Maple St. Our building is right after the post office, at the corner of Monument and Maple. There is limited street parking available to Historical Society visitors in front of our building (Monument St.), if no space is available in front of our building there is metered parking nearby.

If you are looking for the Library portion of Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association, it is no longer in the same building as the Historical Society. The Library has relocated to 458 High School Rd, Montrose, PA 18801. Just a few minutes drive away.

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