Displaying a prototype of a Susquehanna County Heritage Attractions sign that will be unveiled in Montrose on June 12 are (from left) Susquehanna County Free Library director Susan Stone, Susquehanna County Historical Society Museum curator Betty Smith, Montrose Borough Council member Craig Reimel, Endless Mountains Heritage Region board member Brian Lione, Historical Society board member Rick Ainey, board president Tom Kurosky, and board member George Conner.
An interpretive panel and map detailing more than two dozen historical sites, trails and scenic byways, parks and preserves, and river access points in Susquehanna County will be unveiled during a public event at the Susquehanna County Historical Society museum on Tuesday, June 12 at 11 am. The Susquehanna Heritage Attractions sign will be installed on the lawn facing Monument Square.
A similar sign was installed in Forest City in 2016, and signs depicting heritage attractions in Bradford and Wyoming counties have been placed by the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) Towanda and Tunkhannock, respectively.
“The Endless Mountains Heritage Region is recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s fascinating places that still retains much of historical character and features,” said EMHR director Annette Schultz. “And Susquehanna County is one of the four counties that has many historical and recreational venues to visit, though even those who live here are often unaware of those opportunities.”
“The sign is very attractive and informative in that it highlights a number of points of interest around the county,” SCHS board president Tom Kurosky remarked. “We’re pleased to be able to set it on our property on Monument Square. At that location, it should be visible to many visitors in town.”
“It brings a visual representation to the many historic spots, museums, recreation areas, and scenic byways and trails that abound in our beautiful county,” added SCHS museum curator Betty Smith. “We’re grateful to the Endless Mountains Heritage Region for securing the funds to make this sign possible.”
Three sites in the borough of Montrose are depicted on the sign, including the Museum, the Center for Anti-Slavery Studies, and the Fire Company Museum. Project planners realized that the description for the Museum needed to be updated as the original sign makes references to the sharing of the building on Monument Square with Susquehanna County Free Library until this year.
Other sites depicted on the map are Old Mill Village, the Starrucca Viaduct, The Anthracite Coal Miners Memorial, the Priesthood Restoration Visitors Center, Salt Springs State Park. Site, and the Historic Dennis Farm. Descriptions include GPS-compatible addresses and contact information to enable those viewing the sign to learn if the site is open and accessible. The intention of the EMHR in developing the signs is to foster community pride for heritage assets and to promote how much each respective county has to offer.
“The Endless Mountains Heritage Region is dedicated to advancing heritage tourism, and placing signs in historic downtowns is a great way to get the word out to residents and visitors alike,” Schultz stated.
“It is a reminder of their ready access to our history and scenic beauty,” Smith concurred.
Participants in the unveiling of the new sign will include representatives from EMHR and SCHS, as well as elected officials and representatives from the sites included on the map. Another sign will be installed in Susquehanna Depot near the historic downtown and newly constructed river park.
The Susquehanna County Heritage Attractions signs were made possible by a grant from the Susquehanna County County Room Tax fund with matching grants by the EMHR and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.