Indigenous History of Northeastern Pennsylvania
This theme focuses on the indigenous history of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The city of Scranton, situated along the Lackawanna River in the greater Susquehanna River watershed, occupies an important part of the Wyoming Valley.
Prior to European colonization, Northeast Pennsylvania offered ample space and resources for the Lenape, the People of the River Valleys, to make this area their home.
Local lore in Scranton suggests that the Lenape did not make a permanent home in this region, but instead used it for migration, important meetings, and burying their dead. The Munsee (or Monsey) band of the Lenape made use of the region most frequently, and one area, Capouse Meadows in North Scranton, has been marked by a state historical marker.
The native presence in this region has been mostly neglected aside from key places named after the Lenape, such as Lackawanna (“stream that forks”) and Nay Aug (noisy water or roaring brook). Research and public programs will seek to recover and tell a truthful and authentic story that incorporates numerous perspectives.
Events & Activities
Exhibit: "Mapping Shinnecock: Sites and Portraits - Photographs by Jeremy Dennis"
Gallery visits available by appointment (masks required) through April 29, 2022. Please contact Gallery Director, Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning at 570-941-4214 or darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.
Friday, Apr. 1, 2022 - First Friday Exhibit: "Mapping Shinnecock: Sites and Portraits - Photographs by Jeremy Dennis"
Hope Horn Gallery open from 5 - 9 pm (301 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, PA 18510)
Monday, Mar. 28, 2022 - "Mapping Shinnecock: Exploring Indigenous Identity, Culture, and Assimilation"
Lecture featuring artist Jeremy Dennis at 5 pm via Zoom
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 - "Murder and Mercy: A Colonial Encounter in the Susquehanna Valley"
Humanities Lecture and Discussion featuring Nicole Eustance, Ph.D., 5 pm, PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center 133, The University of Scranton
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - "Removal and the Right to Remain in the United States"
Humanities Lecture and Discussion featuring Samantha Seeley, Ph.D., 5 pm Hinkleman Room, Albright Memorial Library, Scranton, PA
Thursday, November 17, 2022 - Please save the date for a keynote event with speaker Curtis Zunigha, co-director of the Lenape Center and enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe/Lenape. Additional details and registration to follow - please check back for updates in September 2022.
Additional activities include a community mapping project. More events and details may be added. Please check back for updates.
Humanities Resources
Soderlund, J. (2014). Lenape Country: Delaware Valley Society Before William Penn
Schutt, A. (2007). People of the River Valleys: The Odyssey of the Delaware Indians
Mann, C. (2006). 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Mann, C. (2012). 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
Newcomb, S. (2008). Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery
Francis 4, L. (2019). Ghost River: The Fall and Rise of the Conestoga
Donehoo, G. (1928) Indian Villages and Place Names in Pennsylvania
Lenape Talking Dictionary: The official dictionary of Lenape - the language of the Delaware Tribe.
Eustace, N. (2021). Covered with Night: A story of Murder and Indigenous Justice in Early America.
Seeley, S. (2021). Race, Removal, and the Right to Remain: Migration and the Making of the United States.
The Story of Scranton, Lackawanna Historical Society
Link to Peter Burke’s LHS talk: https://www.youtube.com/user/lackawannahistory/video
Everhart Museum blog post: https://everhart-museum.org/traces-of-the-lenni-lenape/