The 161st annual meeting of the Luzerne County Historical Society will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Swetland Homestead, 885 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, PA. The program will feature guest speaker Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. The afternoon will also include a short business meeting and recognition of Society volunteers and donors. Refreshments will be served and tours of the Swetland Homestead will be available.

The meeting is FREE for LCHS members, current as of April 25, 2019. Per LCHS by-laws, only members current as of February 28, 2019, are allowed to vote at the annual meeting. To join or renew, call 570-823-6244 or visit www.luzernehistory.org.

Dr. Stephenson will speak on “Making the Museum of the American Revolution.” A century in the making, the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia opened on April 19, 2017 to rave reviews. Before the 118,000 square foot building opened its doors, Museum staff and volunteers archived and collected thousands of incredibly rare and historic artifacts, including General George Washington’s wartime headquarters tent. Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, President & CEO, will share behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of the Museum of the American Revolution at Third and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia, PA.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Scott Stephenson holds a B.A. from Juniata College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in American History from the University of Virginia. His broad public history experience spans nearly three decades and has been marked by public and professional acclaim for his creative and innovative approaches to engaging audiences. From 2002 to 2007, Stephenson served as curator at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, where he developed the international traveling loan exhibition “Clash of Empires: the British, French, and Indian War, 1754-1763.”

In January 2007, Stephenson joined the National Center for the American Revolution—now the Museum of the American Revolution—becoming Vice President of Collections, Exhibitions, and Programming in April 2016. During this time, he led the development of the Museum’s award-winning exhibitions, multimedia experiences, and educational programming, as well as overseeing the care and expansion of its rich collection of art and artifacts. He served as a key member of the senior leadership team that raised $175 million, surpassing the original capital campaign goal of $150 million. In November 2018, Stephenson was named President and CEO of the Museum.

The Swetland Homestead was built in 1803 by Luke Swetland (1729-1823) and is one of the oldest houses in the Wyoming Valley. Swetland survived the Battle of Wyoming during the Revolutionary War. Generations of the Swetland family lived in the house until it was donated to the Society in 1958 by a family descendant. As part of the Society’s 2018-2021 strategic plan, the Swetland Homestead will undergo significant repairs and restoration. To donate to these efforts, please contact the Society at info@luzernehistory.org or 570-823-6244 x1.