2026 HISTORICAL PRESENTATIONS
The Historical Association of Tobyhanna Township hosts monthly historical presentations from April through November, with a variety of significant historical, educational and entertaining accounts to be presented to HATT members and guests. Professional historians and experts presented their areas of specialty that revealed the secrets of local, regional, national and even international histories. All of our programs are open to the public and free.Presentations, held in conjunction with HATT meetings, typically are held the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines.
Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Tuesday, Jun 9, 2026
Tuesday, Jul 14, 2026
Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026
Tuesday, Nov 9, 2026
Click on the event name to navigate to details about the event.
“Pennsylvania Women Who Served in the American Revolution” — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
“My Father's Journey: American Pilot to German POW and Back” — Cynthia Baldwin Avery
“Frances Bicknell Carpenter: An American Painter,” Dr. Larry Cook
“World War I on the Homefront” — Mark Riccetti Jr.
“Travel Back in Time to the American Revolution” — Presented by the Shawnee Time Travelers
”Northeast Pennsylvania in 1776” — Dr. William Lewis, Jr.
"The History of American Long Rifles in Eastern Pennsylvania” — Fred Tim
"William Henry Christman and the Origin of Arlington National Cemetery" — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
“Pennsylvania Women Who Served in the American Revolution” — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
“My Father's Journey: American Pilot to German POW and Back” — Cynthia Baldwin Avery
“Frances Bicknell Carpenter: An American Painter,” Dr. Larry Cook
“World War I on the Homefront” — Mark Riccetti Jr.
“Travel Back in Time to the American Revolution” — Presented by the Shawnee Time Travelers
”Northeast Pennsylvania in 1776” — Dr. William Lewis, Jr.
"The History of American Long Rifles in Eastern Pennsylvania” — Fred Tim
"William Henry Christman and the Origin of Arlington National Cemetery" — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
Tuesday, April 14
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Pennsylvania Women Who Served in the American Revolution" — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Pennsylvania Women Who Served in the American Revolution" — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
Tuesday, May 12 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“My Father's Journey: American Pilot to German POW and Back” — Cynthia Baldwin Avery
Cynthia Baldwin Avery will discuss her book, “My Father's Journey,” which is about one man's poignant journey from idyllic childhood in Aurora, New York, to World War II pilot in England to prisoner of war in a desolate camp in German-occupied Poland.
The book describes Baldwin C. Avery's struggle to survive the 20th century and all it brought — triumphs and tragedies, love and loss, and a legacy of service to country and community — with the power of faith and family at the heart of it all.
Cindy Avery delves into her father’s collection of letters, journals, newspaper clippings, photos, and memoirs, and describes how she pieced them together to re-create his amazing and inspiring story.
The author was born and raised in the small village of Aurora, N.Y., where her family had settled in 1795. She grew up knowing her father had been a World War II B-24 pilot who had been shot down over Germany, captured, and held as a German P.O.W. for a year. For the nearly 20 years after her father shared more details of his story, she dreamed of writing a book that filled in the gaps of his journey. After a long career in teaching and institutional fundraising, she retired to devote time to his extraordinary story.
She says, “Writing ‘My Father’s Journey’ was a roller coaster ride. It was fun-filled and heart-wrenching. It was, at times, hard to write and even harder to read. I went on some educational side trips when Dad casually referenced something that piqued my curiosity. I learned even more about him as well as the history of that time and the other men and women who represented ‘the Greatest Generation.’”
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“My Father's Journey: American Pilot to German POW and Back” — Cynthia Baldwin Avery
Cynthia Baldwin Avery will discuss her book, “My Father's Journey,” which is about one man's poignant journey from idyllic childhood in Aurora, New York, to World War II pilot in England to prisoner of war in a desolate camp in German-occupied Poland.
The book describes Baldwin C. Avery's struggle to survive the 20th century and all it brought — triumphs and tragedies, love and loss, and a legacy of service to country and community — with the power of faith and family at the heart of it all.
Cindy Avery delves into her father’s collection of letters, journals, newspaper clippings, photos, and memoirs, and describes how she pieced them together to re-create his amazing and inspiring story.
The author was born and raised in the small village of Aurora, N.Y., where her family had settled in 1795. She grew up knowing her father had been a World War II B-24 pilot who had been shot down over Germany, captured, and held as a German P.O.W. for a year. For the nearly 20 years after her father shared more details of his story, she dreamed of writing a book that filled in the gaps of his journey. After a long career in teaching and institutional fundraising, she retired to devote time to his extraordinary story.
She says, “Writing ‘My Father’s Journey’ was a roller coaster ride. It was fun-filled and heart-wrenching. It was, at times, hard to write and even harder to read. I went on some educational side trips when Dad casually referenced something that piqued my curiosity. I learned even more about him as well as the history of that time and the other men and women who represented ‘the Greatest Generation.’”
Tuesday, June 9 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Frances Bicknell Carpenter: An American Painter” by Dr. Larry Cook
Francis Bicknell Carpenter (1830-1900) was an American painter, best known for his painting “First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln,” for which he spent six months living in the White House with President Lincoln. He painted portraits of Lincoln and many other notable personages of his time.
Dr. Larry Cook is a nationally recognized presidential historian, award winning author and political commentator. He specializes in the personal side of the presidency and comparing presidential history to current news and events. He is the author of Presidential Coincidences, Amazing Facts and Collectibles and Symbols of Patriotism: First Ladies and Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as numerous articles.
Collecting presidential memorabilia since childhood, Dr. Cook has amassed one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the United States. His collection exceeds 8,000 pieces, and he is a respected expert in presidential artifacts.
Dr. Cook has been a historical memorabilia consultant to President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter. Over the years he and his wife Diane worked on many projects with the Carters.
He conducts lectures, events and keynote speeches across the country and has done multiple programs for the National Park Service, Daughters of the American Revolution, historic sites, libraries, museums, historical societies, conventions and corporate organizations.
He frequently appears in various local and national news media. He has been a guest on NewsNation, Spectrum News, Bill O’Reilly No Spin News, Fox News and NPR as well as many other networks, radio shows and podcasts. He has also been quoted in Reader’s Digest and in newspapers across the country. Dr. Cook is regularly featured on WBRE/WYOU Eyewitness News in Northeastern Pa.
Dr. Cook is on the board of directors for The National First Ladies Day Commission and is an active member of The American Historical Association, The Luzerne County Historical Society and The American Political Items Collectors.
Larry Cook Historian
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Frances Bicknell Carpenter: An American Painter” by Dr. Larry Cook
Francis Bicknell Carpenter (1830-1900) was an American painter, best known for his painting “First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln,” for which he spent six months living in the White House with President Lincoln. He painted portraits of Lincoln and many other notable personages of his time.
Dr. Larry Cook is a nationally recognized presidential historian, award winning author and political commentator. He specializes in the personal side of the presidency and comparing presidential history to current news and events. He is the author of Presidential Coincidences, Amazing Facts and Collectibles and Symbols of Patriotism: First Ladies and Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as numerous articles.
Collecting presidential memorabilia since childhood, Dr. Cook has amassed one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the United States. His collection exceeds 8,000 pieces, and he is a respected expert in presidential artifacts.
Dr. Cook has been a historical memorabilia consultant to President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter. Over the years he and his wife Diane worked on many projects with the Carters.
He conducts lectures, events and keynote speeches across the country and has done multiple programs for the National Park Service, Daughters of the American Revolution, historic sites, libraries, museums, historical societies, conventions and corporate organizations.
He frequently appears in various local and national news media. He has been a guest on NewsNation, Spectrum News, Bill O’Reilly No Spin News, Fox News and NPR as well as many other networks, radio shows and podcasts. He has also been quoted in Reader’s Digest and in newspapers across the country. Dr. Cook is regularly featured on WBRE/WYOU Eyewitness News in Northeastern Pa.
Dr. Cook is on the board of directors for The National First Ladies Day Commission and is an active member of The American Historical Association, The Luzerne County Historical Society and The American Political Items Collectors.
Larry Cook Historian
Tuesday, July 14 • 5:30 p.m
MONTHLY MEETING | Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“World War I on the Homefront" by Mark Ricetti Jr.
Mark Riccetti, Jr., the director of operations and programs at the Luzerne County Historical Society, will discuss how the events of World War I impacted life back home in Northeast Pennsylvania.
MONTHLY MEETING | Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“World War I on the Homefront" by Mark Ricetti Jr.
Mark Riccetti, Jr., the director of operations and programs at the Luzerne County Historical Society, will discuss how the events of World War I impacted life back home in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Tuesday, August 11 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Travel Back in Time to the American Revolution: Meet Polly Cooper of the Oneida Nation, Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson — Presented by the Shawnee Time Travelers
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Travel Back in Time to the American Revolution: Meet Polly Cooper of the Oneida Nation, Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson — Presented by the Shawnee Time Travelers
Tuesday, September 8 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Northeast Pennsylvania in 1776” — Dr. William Lewis, Jr.
Dr. William V. Lewis, Jr. is a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and serves as a commission liaison to the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation. He chairs the state historical marker selection panel for the Pennsylvania State Historical Preservation Office, under the PHMC.
He is a past president of the Luzerne County Historical Society, past president of the Northeast Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and an officer of the Wyoming Commemorative Association.
Dr. Lewis will present a program about what life was like in the region as the Revolutionary War broke out, and how it contributed to and was affected by the war.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“Northeast Pennsylvania in 1776” — Dr. William Lewis, Jr.
Dr. William V. Lewis, Jr. is a commissioner of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and serves as a commission liaison to the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation. He chairs the state historical marker selection panel for the Pennsylvania State Historical Preservation Office, under the PHMC.
He is a past president of the Luzerne County Historical Society, past president of the Northeast Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and an officer of the Wyoming Commemorative Association.
Dr. Lewis will present a program about what life was like in the region as the Revolutionary War broke out, and how it contributed to and was affected by the war.
Tuesday, October 13 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“The History of American Long Rifles in Eastern Pennsylvania” — Fred Tim
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
“The History of American Long Rifles in Eastern Pennsylvania” — Fred Tim
Tuesday, November 9 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
"William Henry Christman and the Origin of Arlington National Cemetery" — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
On May 13, 1864, Pvt. William Henry Christman of Tobyhanna Township was the first to be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Exactly 150 years later, on May 13, 2014, he was honored with a gravesite ceremony attended by his family and local dignitaries, and how he came to be the first interred in the new national cemetery came to light.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Rd., Pocono Pines
"William Henry Christman and the Origin of Arlington National Cemetery" — Dr. Sara J. Cornell
On May 13, 1864, Pvt. William Henry Christman of Tobyhanna Township was the first to be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Exactly 150 years later, on May 13, 2014, he was honored with a gravesite ceremony attended by his family and local dignitaries, and how he came to be the first interred in the new national cemetery came to light.