Monroe County Historical Association

Welcome to this week's #MysteryMonday challenge! Who knows what this artifact from our museum collection was used for? Post your best guesses, and watch for the answer to be revealed here tomorrow. #HistoricObjects #MuseumFromHome #GuessingGame #StroudMansion

On #WorldChoralDay we're pleased to share this photograph of the Stroudsburg High School Girls' Glee Club and Ensemble taken on the evening of their February 1944 concert, An Hour of Music. The theme of the program was "Every Nation Sings of Love," and the performance included an Old English folk song, unofficial national anthem, Chinese lullaby, Irish folk song, and Italian folk song. The newspaper raved that this "proved one of the most enjoyable and most artistic musical programs" and noted the "large audience of music lovers who demonstrated their pleasure with the lavish applause of approval given the youthful entertainers."

As you finish up your holiday shopping this year, keep in mind that December is #SafeToysAndGiftsMonth. With her head made of metal and likely painted with lead-based paint, this doll from our museum collection is a nice example of a toy that probably does NOT meet modern safety standards. Metal head dolls, produced primarily in Germany, became popular beginning in the late 1800s. Advertised as "indestructible," they were actually a safety upgrade over bisque or China doll he...ads that were easily broken. The metal heads came in different sizes and were sold separately from the leather or cloth bodies. One of the most familiar metal head dolls is the Minerva doll, manufactured by German doll makers Buschow & Beck from around 1888 to 1925. This Minerva doll was a gift to our museum and is on display in the #StroudMansion. Her head is made from stamped sheet metal welded together and painted with enamel paint. Her molded short, curly hair is painted blonde, and she has blue glass eyes. #heavymetal #antiquedolls #antiquetoys #MonroeCountyPA

December 11 of each year is designated #InternationalMountainDay by the United Nations. Today we celebrate the beauty of the mountains around us and the recreational opportunities they offer but, more importantly, recognize the importance of their conservation. What's your favorite spot in the #PoconoMountains? #MountainsMatter #MonroeCountyPA : 1942 postcard scene of #DelawareWaterGap from our collection

As the Festival of Lights begins tonight, we'd like to wish our members, friends, and supporters a #HappyHanukkah! May your celebration be filled with peace and joy this holiday season.

Are you sending Christmas Cards this year? Today is #ChristmasCardDay, an occasion to celebrate a holiday tradition that began in 1843 with the creation of the first Christmas card by Sir Henry Cole in Victorian England. Locally, Sciota residents Ada and Earl Robacker were well known for the Christmas greetings they sent to friends each December. The couple custom designed and hand painted their cards every year, often incorporating Pennsylvania German themes and original verse. Many examples of the Robackers' unique works of art are now part of our museum collection, including the 1968 "crazy-quilt" card pictured here. #ChristmasCards #CrazyQuilt #MonroeCountyPA #StroudMansion