he Ross Township Historical Society will host an open house at its museum on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re encouraging everyone to come, including residents and members of other historical societies,” said Martha Rezeli, secretary of the historical society.

It will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon and chance to see the new additions to the society’s space, which is on the second floor of the municipal annex building on Anchorage Road. It is a free event.

“We’ve been working fast and furiously to get ready,” Rezeli said “We purchased a few antique display cases and chairs.”

Preserving the past

When the COVID-19 shutdown happened in March 2020, the society’s 13 members had to do a lot of research on their own.

Treasurer Ken Giardina taught himself how to mat and frame historical documents, a brick from Blue Ridge Enameled Brick Company, photographs and maps. They are now displayed in the museum.

So is an antique school desk and attached chair that Giardina bought in the 1970s. It had been in his basement for years.

“I found a much better spot for it here,” he said.

Rezeli and Giardina have been to other historical societies’ museums to get ideas.

“We are absorbing a little bit from each one to do justice to ours,” Rezeli said.

She has been a history buff since she was a child, and loves going to auctions and yard sales.

One recent find was a table and chairs that were falling apart and needed more than just a coat of paint. She refurbished them and brought to the museum.

“It represents home - one of our themes,” she said.

The other five themes, in which they are seeking items of historical value, are education, farming, business and industry, tourism and local government, and faith.

She has also found treasures when driving around.

“I spotted this old-fashioned island on someone’s front porch. It was so dilapidated. I was almost in tears when I saw it,” she said.

She knocked on the door and asked to buy the island. It took her five weeks to restore it.

“I scraped it, sanded it, put on three coats of stain, painted it and fixed the wooden wheels,” she said.

After giving it new life, she brought it to the museum and placed baking items - a decorative pie, a rolling pin, a measuring cup and mixing bowl - on it. It is one of her favorite pieces.

History of Ross

When resident LeRoy Rasely, who wrote the book “History of Saylorsburg,” died last year, the museum obtained some of his artifacts, including old deeds made in duplicate.

“They would randomly cut a scallop type edge. The two had to match in order to be authentic,” Giardina said.

Rasely gave the historical society authority to reproduce and sell his book for $20.

According to the township website, “In 1817 Ross Township was formed from a division of Chestnuthill Township and named after a very prominent citizen, Judge John Ross of Easton, Pennsylvania.”

John Ross was appointed assistant judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1825.

Ross Commons, located south of Saylorsburg, is named for his father Jessie Ross, who originally built a hunting lodge there in 1781. Years later, John Ross added a large home to entertain guests arriving by stagecoach. There is a small family cemetery on site, and he is buried there.

“How the township grew is aligned with how the county grew - due to a number of farmers and businessmen that settled here,” Rezeli said.

Saylor’s Lake, a natural lake, was a summer resort and a winter ice cutting industry.

The township had a railroad and Blue Ridge Enameled Brick Company, which was a major brick factory that operated in Saylorsburg in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

“We are trying to get a list together of buildings, barns, businesses or houses that are 100 years old or older,” Rezeli said. “We want a roster of these and picture of each place to keep in a binder while we figure out where to go with it.”

Residents are encouraged to contact the historical society if they know of such places.

“People may also search their attic, basement, etc. If you find some old relic that might be of interest to our museum and are interested in donating it, contact me via email,” said Giardina.

His email address is giarkc@ptd.net.

“Their donation would be displayed in the museum with a card indicating who the donor was,” he said.

The historical society formed in 2016 and its first mission was to prepare a grand celebration for the township’s bicentennial in 2017.

In the fall of 2018 and 2019, the society hosted two successful historical tours. Guests on the tours visited places such as Ross Commons, Mount Eaton Church, the Flyte School, cemeteries on Old Route 115 and Bruno Apple Ridge Farm.

They were planning to do one in 2020, but the pandemic put a hold on those plans. The museum opening is the big event this fall.

“Being a part of the historical society for me is important because it’s preserving yesterday for the people of tomorrow. I find it very interesting,” Giardina said.

Fundraising

A new Friends of Ross Township Historical Society campaign recently began. To become a member costs $10 for individuals, $20 for a family, and $25 for a business.

A brick from Blue Ridge Enameled Brick Company can be bought and it comes with a certificate of authenticity, Giardina said.

Rasely’s book is available for $20 per copy.

For more information: email Ken at giarkc@ptd.net.