The Citizens' Voice
January 14, 2008
Director finds his position a learning experience
by Denise Allabaugh

Formerly called the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, it is the oldest county historical society in Pennsylvania. Its name was changed to the Luzerne County Historical Society in 2000, the year Teitelbaum took over as executive director.

The historical society was founded on Feb. 11, 1858  by a group who met at the Old Fell Tavern on East Northampton and South Washington Street to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Judge Jesse Fell successfully burning anthracite coal in an open grate. The famed experiment spurred the rise of the anthracite industry and Wyoming Valley’s growth.

General E.L. Dana suggested founding a historical society at that ceremony. A resolution was unanimously passed and the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society was incorporated in May of 1858.

Now, 150 years later, Teitelbaum and the staff, volunteers and board of directors of the Luzerne County Historical Society are planning a kick-off event on Feb. 11 to celebrate the 150th anniversary on the site where the old Fell Tavern once stood. The tavern was torn down in 1986 and the site is now a city-owned parking lot. A historical marker in front of the site is dedicated to Fell.

The grate where Fell burned coal was preserved and remains in the Luzerne County Historical Society’s museum. It will be displayed at the Feb. 11 event. Sally Teller Lottick, a descendant of the Fell family, and Greg Weaver, a descendant of Obadiah Gore, a leading entrepreneur of the anthracite coal industry, will attend. Lottick and Weaver are both board members of the Luzerne County Historical Society.

“We’re hoping to do a re-enactment of the experiment. Whether or not we can get coal burning on the grate, we’re not sure,” Teitelbaum said. “That experiment was the beginning of the coal industry in this area. It really put this area of Pennsylvania on the map.”

Several other events also will be held in honor of the 150th anniversary.

A gala ball will be held in June at the Luzerne County Courthouse, where the oldest person in each of Luzerne County’s 76 municipalities will be recognized. A fall family festival will be held at the Swetland Homestead in Wyoming. An exhibit will be held at the Luzerne County Historical Society’s museum called “150 treasures, 150 years,” in which the society’s most precious items will be displayed. The historical society also will have a year-long membership drive.

The Luzerne County Historical Society has about 700 members across the country. Teitelbaum would like to double that. The majority of people who visit the historical society’s Bishop Memorial Library on South Franklin Street do genealogical research. It costs $35 a year for an individual membership and $50 a year for a family membership.

“Because all this activity and energy is going to be coming out of the historical society, we’re hoping that a lot of members of the public will take advantage of that, join with us, celebrate and become a member of the historical society,” Teitelbaum said.

Teitelbaum, 34, a resident of Wyoming and a former resident of Mountain Top, replaced Michael Bertheaud as the Luzerne County Historical Society’s executive director.

He received a bachelor’s degree in history from King’s College and a master’s degree in American history from the University of Scranton. He was always interested in history growing up. His late father would often raise historical trivia with him and his eight siblings, he said.

Now, Teitelbaum often visits schools and clubs to talk about history. He puts together slide slows with historic photographs, conducts tours, shows historical items at the museum and helps members research.

“I first came here as an intern while I was at King’s and I just thought this area has amazing history — everything from the Native Americans to the agricultural history to coal mining,” Teitelbaum said. “The history of Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County has always been fascinating to me. I’m learning things every day. There is always something new to learn.”

© The Citizens' Voice 2007

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