GREENE-DREHER HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC

PO Box 176

Greentown, PA 18426

2007 Annual Report

Board Members: Bill Brennan, President; Web Gilpin, Vice President; Bernadine Lennon, Secretary; Doris Jann, Treasurer; Peggy Bancroft (Greene Township Historian), Ruth Altemier (Greene Township representative), Joyce Barna, Alden Jackson, Roy Richmond, Betty Roach, Attorney Jack Spall

Organization Updates: The Society registered with the State Department of Revenue to collect state sales tax. The Society re-registered with the State Bureau of Charitable Organizations. There were 280 paid subscribers to The Greene Hills of Home as of December 2007, an increase of six subscribers from 2006.

Summary of Monthly Programs, Meetings and Special Events (numbers in parentheses represent attendance): January, February, March – no meeting; April membership meeting (no program) (39); May “History of area cemeteries” by Ruth Altemier (34); June Pastor Gregg Shaffer presented “History of the Moravian Church” (39); June Welcome Back Luncheon (45); July Open House (57); August meeting (31); September Luncheon (44); October Tom Kennedy presented “History of coal industry, canals and railroads in Northeastern Pennsylvania” (38); October hosted “The Young Geezers” musical group (80); November Ken Sproson from the Hawley Library Hensel Committee presented “The Hensel Photograph Restoration Project” (57); Holiday Luncheon (41) Total attendance: 505 (an increase from 363 in 2006)

Community Outreach: Bill Brennan and Doris Jann attended Newfoundland Rotary Club meeting on April 2 and presented an update on society activities; Greene Township Representative Ruth Altemier and Dreher Township residents Bill Brennan, Web Gilpin and Doris Jann briefed their respective township supervisors on society activities; Web Gilpin briefed “Leadership Pike” on the mission and history of the society on April 20; seven members worked 14 hours in the spring and 11 members worked 16 hours in the fall on the Route 507 Litter Cleanup; ten members worked approximately 34 hours cleaning the Albright-Bennett Cemetery; Sam and Alden Jackson and Bernadine Lennon presented a reading of “Margaret’s Diary” to members of Lake Paupac Club; hosted members of the Barrett Township Historical Society for a tour of the WSCS Hall.

Cooperative Events: contracted with the Wallenpaupack Historical Society for second printing of “Margaret’s Diary: A Pennsylvania Farm Wife’s Journal, 1904-1919”; prepared a display for and participated in the Greene-Dreher-Sterling Fair; partnered with Brownie Troop #419 to assist in earning their “Listening to the Past” badge.

WSCS Hall: Successful in obtaining Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) determination of historic eligibility of the WSCS Hall; using money donated by the Newfoundland Rotary and Rotary International, 40 chairs were purchased (volunteers finished them) and two finished corner cupboards were purchased, five meeting tables purchased, sump pump installed, kitchen faucet replaced, front door and steps painted, installed picture rail molding, installed exterior sign, installed donated flag pole and flag, volunteers mowed grass at hall throughout the summer, artifacts displayed; opened the WSCS Hall to the public on Saturdays 9am to Noon, September 15 through October 27.

Haags Mill Bridge: Mitigation steps previously requested by Greene-Dreher Historical Society for Haags Mill Bridge were partially completed by PennDoT. This included replacement of the original bridge which had been on the National Register with one that replicates the stone arch bridge. The two remaining mitigation items are: (1) erection of a concrete and stone monument on the northwest corner of the bridge which contains the original keystone with replica of the date stone from the arched bridge, and (2) placement of historical marker southeast of the bridge.

Other Activities: 9100 visits to the Society’s website in 2007 (up from 5537 in 2006); added the Gilpin Family Tree to the website and provided a means for visitors to make corrections and/or additions to it; 15 members and guests attended the Stoney Lonesome Brunch; 677 artifacts in the society’s collection; received 55 artifacts in 2007.

Financial Statement: The Society filed Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) with the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Form 990 for the most recent tax year is available upon request or at www.guidestar.org. In April 2007, Frank M. Brown, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, completed a financial review for the 2006 tax year as required for registration with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations.