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Upon entering the Palmerton Area Heritage Center, the visitor is introduced to the permanent exhibit. The permanent exhibit uses text cards and photographs on display boards along with artifacts in corresponding display cases to tell the evolving history of the area. The exhibits begin with the Delaware or Lenni-Lenape Indians of the area and progress through depictions of early settlers before focusing on the significant contributions of the New Jersey Zinc Company.
The story of the Boyer family, who settled at the east end of the valley, is a compelling tale of the Indians scalping the father and taking the three children into captivity to Canada. A pen and ink sketch of Mr. Boyer and the children in a field, by Mr. Wentz, is on display.
One particular "claim to fame" for the area to boast about, is that Benjamin Franklin not only slept at the Opplinger Blockhouse, but spent his 50th birthday there. The blockhouse is believed to have been located between the present Third and Fourth Streets and the present Delaware and Lehigh Avenues. A pen and ink sketch of the Opplinger Blockhouse, by local artist William Wentz, is on display.
Moving ahead, the story continues with the establishment of the West and East Plants of the New Jersey Zinc Company. A theme running throughout the permanent exhibit shows that the NJZ had a close relationship with its workers and their families. For example, the company established a Sociological Department to assist with the needs of the community. This department conducted a kindergarten at the first Neighborhood House at Fourth Street and Lehigh Avenue. It also made available the services of a community nurse to visit residents' homes to help with nutrition and hygiene. The NJZ founded and funded the Palmerton Hospital and the Palmerton Hospital School of Nursing. Photographs can be seen of the bungalows, which were built by the company to accommodate the need for housing the workers in the manufacturing plants. Since these homes had no bathing facilities, the NJZ also built a public bath house in the west end of town on Princeton Avenue. The floor plan showing the details of the bath house is also on display.
The Permanent Exhibit suggests that the New Jersey Zinc Company created the town as we know it, but the influence of the early settlers and immigrants created the community.
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For additional information about the Heritage Center, return to the main page and click the various links, or call 610-824-6954, or Email: contactus@palmertonhistorical.org.
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