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    • Become a WCHS 2023 Sponsor
  • About
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • Membership
    • Speakers
    • Contact
  • Exhibitions
    • Permanent Exhibits
    • Past Exhibits
    • New Exhibits 2021
  • History
    • Historic Sites
    • Historic Preservation Awards
    • Movin' Energy
    • D & H Canal Park at Lock 31
    • Historical Links
  • Museums
    • Main Museum
    • Bethel School
    • D & H Canal Park at Lock 31
    • Old Stone Jail
    • J.B. Park Farm Museum
    • Adam Jubinsky Building
  • Happenings
    • Calendar
    • News
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  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Publication Guide
    • Vital Records
    • Historic Topics
    • Township Histories
    • Genealogy in Wayne County
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Main Museum

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Welcome to the Wayne County Historical Society, home of the full-size replica of The Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to run on commercial track in the United States.

Our Main Museum and museum shop are housed in a building built in 1860 as headquarters of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. The D&H Gravity Railroad, which carried anthracite coal from the mines of Lackawanna County to Honesdale, met the D&H Canal directly behind the building. The canal carried the coal from Honesdale to Rondout, New York, on the Hudson River.

The Marjorie Smith Glass Gallery connects the 1860 building with the Jason Torrey land office, headquarters of one of the county's earliest entrepreneurs. Four additions built to house our expanding collections and Research Library complete the 810 Main Street campus in Honesdale.

Some of our permanent exhibits include:

Movin' Energy: The History of the Delaware and Hudson Canal 1828-1898 is housed in the addition built in 1993 for the Stourbridge Lion replica, the centerpiece of this award-winning exhibit. The first locomotive to turn wheel on commercial track in the United States made its first run here in Honesdale. A D&H passenger gravity car, the Eclipse, with its hand-stenciled ceiling and beautiful carved wood interior, and a paymaster's buggy share the floor space with the Stourbridge Lion replica.

Faces in Clay with historian Vernon Leslie's 4,600-plus archaeology collection as its basis, interprets the Native American history of the upper Delaware Valley. A number of important features of their lifestyle, hunting and gathering techniques and social customs are highlighted. In addition, Vernon Leslie's life's work is interpreted and a 17th-century dugout canoe can be viewed to the accompaniment of the soothing sounds of the river and forest.

Wayne County's Glass: Window Panes to White House Crystal includes over 160 pieces of glass all produced in Wayne County from the 1820s to 1980s; more that a dozen tools used in the production of glass; cuttings stones and brushed; and several rare photographs of glass workers and the various cutting "shops" in the county. Representative pieces from the Bethany, Honesdale Glass and Honesdale Decorating, Hawley, Dorflinger, T. B. Clark, Hatch & Clark, Vetter, Maple City, Owanda, Irving, Clinton, Keystone, O'Connor, G. Wm. Sell, Kranz & Sell, Linke Companies, and more are on display. The work of Herman Neugenbauer, Louis Rickert, Ray LaTournous, C.C. Hook, and John Murphy, can also be seen.

Children's History Lab includes stations about Native American way of life, European homestead with a child-friendly kitchen and garden; introductory genealogy kiosks with access to websites, "gravity" and "geology" hands-on experiences. 

At the Wayne County Historical Society Museum you can explore our extensive permanent collection that includes the D&H Canal, Gravity Railroad, Lenape, and Dorflinger Glass. You'll also experience new exhibitions and programs that reflect a fresh view of traditional and historical works from our historically rich county. Visit us today and explore our history!

Call the museum at 570-253-3240 for more information regarding our exhibits, programs, and special events.

Accessibility Notes

Museum has handicapped parking and accessible front entrance. Throughout the museum the exhibits are featured on ramp walkways, and the second floor is easily accessible by elevator. All doorways accommodate wheelchairs.

Hours

May through November 30: Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-4pm

December through April 30: Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.

Seasons Open

In 2023 the Main Museum is open Friday and Saturday only from 11:00am to 4:00pm during January, February, March and April.

Pricing

$5 for Adults, 18 and under are free.

Location

810 Main Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

Museums
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Adam Jubinsky Building
The Adam Jubinsky Museum was established via contributions donated by Mr. John Jubinsky.
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Bethel School
This one-room country school on Bethel School Road near the Poor Farm is open to the public in the…
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D & H Canal Park at Lock 31
The D&H Canal Park at Lock 31 has 16 beautiful acres to explore. The site features the historic…
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J.B. Park Farm Museum
A Day in the Life of a Farm, Wayne County Agriculture: 1870-1930 is the title of this 1,500 sq. ft.…
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Main Museum
The Museum at Wayne County Historical Society on Main Street in Honesdale, PA.
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Old Stone Jail
Built in 1859, this squat stone edifice housed Wayne County's miscreants until 1935. Constructed…
News and Events
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Wayne County Architectural Church Tour
Oct 8, 2023, 10:00 AM
Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023 Start Time: 9:15am Start Location: Bethany Presbyterian Church, 431…
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Fall Guided Canal Park & House Tour
Oct 8, 2023, 10:00 AM
WCHS will sponsor a guided walking history tour of Lock 31 on October 7th at 10am. Cost is $10 with…
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Historic Preservation Award Ceremony 2023
Oct 21, 2023, 2:00 PM
Please join us to honor and celebrate the 6 award winners who have demonstrated their dedication to…
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Become a WCHS 2023 Sponsor
Oct 31, 2023, 6:00 AM
The WCHS is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donations to the Society qualify as tax-deductible…

About us   

Welcome to the Wayne County Historical Society, home of the full-size replica of the Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to run on commercial track in the United States.

Our main museum and museum shop are housed in a building built in 1860 as headquarters of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company....click here for more information.

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News and Events

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Calendar
Calendar of Events at Wayne County Historical Society
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News
News the Wayne County Historical Society

Historic Sites

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The White Mills School
School Street - White Mills The 1895 annual report of the White Mills…
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Richard Simons Farm
Route 191. Sterling Township Richard Simons was born in Ireland and came to…

Research Library

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Genealogy in Wayne County
Genealogical records WCHS Research Library at 810 Main Street, Honesdale…
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Historic Topics
Research materials at the WCHS Research Library, your best source for the…

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