Sigal to Celebrate One-Year Anniversary

The is making its own history.

This weekend, the downtown Easton facility celebrates its one-year anniversary with numerous exhibits, lectures and programs on Saturday and Sunday showcasing the history of Northampton County.

"It feels great," said Barbara Kowitz, the museum's executive director. "It's been a very busy year. We went from a small historical society to being the owner and operator of a top-rated, beautiful facility. The museum is an incredible experience."

In the past year, the 33,000-square-foot facility, at 342 Northampton St. located in the old Sigal Bridal Gallery, has welcomed 4,000 visitors through its gates along with another 3,000 who have come for special events and meetings.

"The museum has turned out to be a gathering place," Kowitz said. "It's been a successful first year in terms of meeting our goals and vision."

The museum has held more than 80 programs through the help of its 150 volunteers.

This weekend, it will offer extended hours and a special two-day, $10 history pass.

Among Saturday's events are: A procession at 9:15 a.m. from the museum to ; Lenape Nation discussions by Shelley DePaul at 10:30 a.m. for children and 2 p.m. for adults; kids bingo at noon and a Civil War dressmaker at 11 a.m. and Civil War re-enactors throughout the afternoon.

On Sunday, highlights include a portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln by at 11 a.m.; a talk on "Easton Then and Now" at 1 p.m. and a history lecture by Richard Hope at 2:30 p.m.

"We'll have a very brief ceremony with some comments by the mayor and some birthday cake Saturday," Kowitz said. "We're hoping for another successful new year."

One highlight of the past year was the museum teaming up with the exhibit, which remained for three days during the city's festivities.

"That was a wonderful way to introduce additional stories to our Civil War exhibit," Kowitz said.

The museum is owned and operated by the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. The society showcases historic books, documents and objects from the region's historic past.

It's open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. And from noon to 4 p.m. On Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children under 12.

For more information, contact the museum at 610-258-2601.

For Kowitz, her job is to keep getting the word out about the museum.

"It's amazing that you can walk into a museum in Easton, Pennsylvania, and have it be like the ones you would visit in New York City," she said.