Palmerton, Pennsylvania Est 1898 Incorporated 1912
Address: 443 Delaware Ave. Palmerton, PA 18071 Phone: 610-824-6954 Email: palmertonhistorical@ptd.net
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Palmerton Area Historical Society is to create awareness, appreciation, pride, and respect for the people and the rich heritage of the towns of Palmerton, Bowmanstown, Towamensing, and Lower Towamensing townships; to collect and preserve relevant materials; and to educate the general public through exhibits, publications, and programs.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Front L-R Sue Steigerwalt, Howard Cyr, George Ashman, Bill Smelas
Back L-R Jim Burnhauser, Betsy Burnhauser, Peter Kern, Jane Borbe, Bert Holczman, John Aulenbach
Back L-R Jim Burnhauser, Betsy Burnhauser, Peter Kern, Jane Borbe, Bert Holczman, John Aulenbach
ELECTED: APPOINTED:
President: Jane Borbe Secretary: Betsy Burnhauser
Vice-president: William Smelas Interim Treasurer: Peter Kern
Board Member: John Aulenbach
Board Member: Jim Burnhauser
Board Member: Bert Holczman
Board Member: Bill Smelas
Board Member: Susan Steigerwalt
COMMITTEE CHAIRS: STAFF:
Acquisitions: George Ashman Business Manager: Peter Kern
Building & Grounds: Jim Burnhauser & John Stefanek Kibler School Representative: Roy Christman
Little White Church: Jane Borbe Newsletter Editor-In-Chief: Gary Mack
Publications: George Ashman Programs: Betsy Burnhauser
Membership: Jane Borbe PAHS Archives: Betsy Burnhauser
President: Jane Borbe Secretary: Betsy Burnhauser
Vice-president: William Smelas Interim Treasurer: Peter Kern
Board Member: John Aulenbach
Board Member: Jim Burnhauser
Board Member: Bert Holczman
Board Member: Bill Smelas
Board Member: Susan Steigerwalt
COMMITTEE CHAIRS: STAFF:
Acquisitions: George Ashman Business Manager: Peter Kern
Building & Grounds: Jim Burnhauser & John Stefanek Kibler School Representative: Roy Christman
Little White Church: Jane Borbe Newsletter Editor-In-Chief: Gary Mack
Publications: George Ashman Programs: Betsy Burnhauser
Membership: Jane Borbe PAHS Archives: Betsy Burnhauser
The Palmerton Area Historical Society operates under the direction of a Board of Directors that establish objectives for the various committees and staff of dedicated volunteers. The seven-member Board is elected by the general membership of the Society and may serve four-year terms without limits on the number of their consecutive terms of service. This seven-member Board then elects the President and the Vice-president and appoints the Secretary and the Treasurer. The President and Vice-president are elected to serve two-year terms, however, their reelections are limited to a maximum of four consecutive years. The Secretary and the Treasurer serve at the pleasure of the Board with full voting privileges and no term limits. The Board of Directors has general charge of the financial and other affairs of the Society.
The Formation of the Society
In 1990, the Lehigh Gap Historical and Preservation Society and Museum, Inc. (LGHS) was formed under the leadership of Mr. Larry Yeakel. The society chose its name and established its mission to include the area immediately south of the Blue Mountain because many of these smaller communities did not have historical societies of their own.
Mr. Yeakel was not only the founder of LGHS but also its President for many years. Officers who served with Mr. Yeakel included Mr. Dennis Smith as Vice President, Ms. Kathy Long as Secretary, and Mr. John Parsons as Treasurer. Members of the first Board of Directors included Mr. Gary Curran, Mr. Kermit Geary Jr., and Mr. William Pitts. Early meetings were held in the New Jersey Central Railroad Station until the building was sold. The meeting place then moved to the Knight's Gallery on the second floor of the Palmerton Area Library.
Over time, as these communities formed their own societies, LGHS was forced to reconsider its objectives. Therefore, in 2005, LGHS decided to serve only the Palmerton Area School District which consists of Palmerton, Bowmanstown, Towamensing and Lower Towamensing Townships. As a result, the society changed its name from the Lehigh Gap Historical and Preservation Society and Museum, Inc. to the Palmerton Area Historical Society (PAHS).
Mr. Yeakel was not only the founder of LGHS but also its President for many years. Officers who served with Mr. Yeakel included Mr. Dennis Smith as Vice President, Ms. Kathy Long as Secretary, and Mr. John Parsons as Treasurer. Members of the first Board of Directors included Mr. Gary Curran, Mr. Kermit Geary Jr., and Mr. William Pitts. Early meetings were held in the New Jersey Central Railroad Station until the building was sold. The meeting place then moved to the Knight's Gallery on the second floor of the Palmerton Area Library.
Over time, as these communities formed their own societies, LGHS was forced to reconsider its objectives. Therefore, in 2005, LGHS decided to serve only the Palmerton Area School District which consists of Palmerton, Bowmanstown, Towamensing and Lower Towamensing Townships. As a result, the society changed its name from the Lehigh Gap Historical and Preservation Society and Museum, Inc. to the Palmerton Area Historical Society (PAHS).
TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
WRITE TO:
~~~~~ PAHS Historical Society / Volunteer
~~~~~ P.O. Box 267
~~~~~ Palmerton, PA 18071-0267
OR CALL:
~~~~~ & Leave a Message at: 1-610-824-6954
SEND MESSAGE:
~~~~~ Please write "To Volunteer for the Historical Society" in the Subject Line
WRITE TO:
~~~~~ PAHS Historical Society / Volunteer
~~~~~ P.O. Box 267
~~~~~ Palmerton, PA 18071-0267
OR CALL:
~~~~~ & Leave a Message at: 1-610-824-6954
SEND MESSAGE:
~~~~~ Please write "To Volunteer for the Historical Society" in the Subject Line
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ Images contained in this website are the property of the Palmerton Area Historical Society but may be used with appropriate attribution to their source.