Lackawanna Historical Society celebrates Joe Biden’s Scranton roots with exhibit and lecture on Jan. 13
From a press release:
As part of the “Project 46” celebration of President-elect Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration on Jan. 20, the Lackawanna Historical Society will feature programs highlighting his ties to Scranton.
A special “Lackawanna Past Times” lecture on the Biden family roots will be held by Tim Hinton via Zoom on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Hinton, himself a branch of Biden’s family tree, will discuss more about the Bidens and Blewitts, and who else in town is related to the family. Email lackawannahistory@gmail.com to register for this online program.
The society will also create a small exhibit of Biden family objects and family history, and they have put out a call to the community to help broaden this collection with items like school or team photos that includes Joe as a child or a program from a school play or other function that includes his name. They are also looking for donations of any objects that relate to the President-elect and his time in Scranton.
Everything will remain part of the society’s permanent collection to help them tell the story of one of Scranton’s favorite sons. Call the society at 570-344-3841 to schedule an appointment to drop off any donations on Jan. 12-15 at its headquarters at the Catlin House (232 Monroe Ave., Scranton).
Biden was born on Nov. 20, 1942 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scranton, and he lived in the city until he was 10 years old, when his family moved to Delaware. He has campaigned in Northeastern Pennsylvania many times over the years, often emphasizing that his morals and ethics began to take shape in this area.
“It’s good to be almost home. [My wife] Jill’s a Philly girl, but I’m a Scranton guy,” Biden said at a presidential campaign stop at Dallas High School on Oct. 24.
“Home – home is where your character is etched, your values are set, where you views of the world and your place in it begin to be formed. For me, it was 2446 North Washington Avenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania at my grandpop’s table.”
For more information on these programs, contact the society at 570-344-3841 or lackawannahistory@gmail.com.
Founded in 1886 as the Lackawanna Institute of History and Science, the Lackawanna Historical Society provides the community with a record of local history through its museum and library collections, exhibits, and programs. In 1942, from the bequest of George H. Catlin, the society established its permanent home at Catlin’s 1912 residence in Scranton’s Hill Section.
In 1965, Lackawanna County designated the Lackawanna Historical Society as the official county historical society, and the society continues to serve the county as a center for local history resources. It receives funding from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Catlin Memorial Trust, Lackawanna County, and memberships.
See NEPA Scene’s photos of Joe Biden’s campaign stop in Dallas, Pennsylvania with Jon Bon Jovi on Oct. 24 here.
Photo by Scott Kucharski Photography/NEPA Scene
