The Sayre Historical Society will open for the 2017 season on Saturday, April 1 with a new exhibit on \u201cA History of Firefighting in Sayre\u201d and a stunning restoration of the Sayre Theater\u2019s old marquee.<\/p>\n
The hours are Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. starting April 1. Admission is free and the museum, located in the historic Lehigh Valley Railroad station in downtown Sayre, is handicap-accessible.<\/p>\n
The newest rotating exhibit, titled \u201cAnswering the Call,\u201d focuses on the long history of firefighting in Sayre. A treasury of historic photographs from the collection of the Sayre Fire Department and longtime Sayre historian James Nobles documents the entire history of the department.<\/p>\n
Rare images of the Robert Packer Hose Company, which was organized in 1885, as well as a collection of firemen\u2019s convention ribbons dating back to the late 1800\u2019s are included in the display. Other topics include the E.P. Wilbur Hook & Ladder Company, Milltown\u2019s J. E Wheelock Hose Company, the Howard Elmer Hose Company and the Robert Sayre Hose Company. <\/p>\n
Historic fires in the borough are also recounted including the 1933 fire at Robert Packer Hospital, the 1948 fire at the Lehigh Valley Railroad\u2019s coaling station and the Bond Jewelry Store fire on Desmond Street in 1957, among others. Signature photographs of Stanley Stark, teenage mascot of the Wilbur Hook & Ladder Company, as well as volunteer \u201cSmokey Joe\u201d Kennedy are also included in the exhibit.<\/p>\n
The exhibit, running from April 1 to Sept. 6, will feature a 28-page illustrated booklet available for sale at the museum in the Burkhart Gift Shop. <\/p>\n
The newest artifact in the museum, a restored section of the Sayre Theater marquee, will also be premiered on April 1. Painstakingly reconditioned by museum volunteer Chuck DeRose, the section of the marquee, repainted and illuminated by lights, has been relocated to the museum\u2019s lobby. An exhibit on the rich history of the community\u2019s movie theater history will also be on display in the lobby. <\/p>\n