Monroe County celebrated its 189th anniversary of the founding the county on April 1, 1836. The Founders Day celebration was held on Tuesday at the courthouse.

“Today’s celebration is not only a tribute to our past, but to the promise of the future,” said Monroe County commissioners President John Christy. “A future built on the same principles of unity, progress and respect for one another.

“I would like to invite you to take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the founders. A legacy that calls us to strive for excellence, and to work together for the common good. As we move forward to today’s program, let us be reminded that each of us plays a vital role in the writing of the next chapter of Monroe County.”

The day kicked off with a presentation at 10 a.m. in a courtroom in the old courthouse about the county’s history, followed by tours of the new courthouse addition and renovations, and the unveiling of the Monroe County Keystone for the America250PA semiquincentennial to be held on July 4, 2026.

Amy Leiser, the executive director of the Monroe County Historical Association, dug deep into the history of the county with her slideshow presentation.

With much of the public quarters of the old courtroom nearly filled, people sat in the antique, wooden theater seats surrounded by the ornately carved wood trim, high doorways capped with stately crown moldings, and tall windows draped in wooden blinds.

Leiser broke down each century from the 1700s to today covering the notable people who led to the founding of Monroe County and those that have lead it since.

Along the way, she gave interesting tidbits of information about everything from a mastodon found in Marshalls Creek, Middle Smithfield Township, to a heart-shaped tub becoming part of the historical society museum.

From there, groups of visitors were invited to take tours of the new three-story addition and newly renovated section of the courthouse.

Keystone

Reconvening in the courthouse plaza, the Monroe County Keystone for the America250PA semiquincentennial celebration was unveiled.

Commissioners Christy, David Parker and Sharon Laverdure, along with President Judge Art Zulick, spoke at the unveiling.

The county keystone idea was the brainchild of Monroe County Controller Erik Diemer, who co-chairs the Arts and Culture Committee with local artist Jody Singer.

Diemer said he thought the keystone project would be a great way to showcase local artists and the history of the area. The goal is to have an artist from each of the county’s 20 municipalities decorate a keystone.

“It makes it a little funner,” Singer said.

Singer did the artwork for the keystone unveiled at the Founders Day celebration, which is for the Stroudsburg municipality. The keystones are made of plywood and are 4 feet by 4 feet in size.

“I was happy and humbled to be selected to create on a keystone,” Singer said.

Like old photographs in black and white, Singer chose to paint the old courthouse on the keystone, as well as the Liberty Tree in Sciota, and animals and nature native to this area. A sunrise with a bald eagle flying over and the America250 PA logo are in color. Singer said he did this to highlight freedom in America, and “for the love of our country, municipality and Monroe County itself.”

Anyone interested in submitting an idea for a keystone can contact Singer at originsgallery1@gmail.com or text him at 570-730-1848, or Erik Diemer at erokdiemer@gmail.com.

Ideas for the designs have to be submitted by the end of April.

Miss Pennsylvania

The festivities also included a visit by Miss Pennsylvania Page Weinstein.

“It’s an honor to be here in Monroe County,” she said. “I am a seventh-generation Pennsylvanian, so to be a part of this celebration is amazing. It’s truly an honor to be able to tell our heritage and inspire future generations about all that Pennsylvania has to offer.”

Weinstein said she is making her way through all 67 counties in the state, and Commissioner Parker had invited her to the Founder’s Day celebration. Parker is on the Monroe County committee for the America 250PA celebration.

Weinstein, who is from Pittsburgh, has been spending her year as Miss Pennsylvania promoting the initiative, as well as her own service initiative.

During her three days in Monroe County, Weinstein planned to visit several elementary schools, including Pleasant Valley Elementary, “spreading awareness for my community service initiative, which is inclusion for people with disabilities, as well as sharing our Pennsylvania initiative throughout the state as we approach the 250th celebration of America — because Pennsylvania is the birthplace of our country.”

Musical performances during the celebration were given by the Pocono Mountain East Banner Singers, and instrumental music by Calliope.

Lunch was available at the Square Fare and Cook’s Corner food trucks.