Although this work was compiled to raise the awareness of students to many of the facets of life in the Wyoming Valley during the last 300 years, it is also being made available to the general public. Limitations of topic and depth are due to the availability of images at the Luzerne County Historical Society, and thus that defined the scope of the work. It is my hope, however, that others will pick up the digital gauntlet and expand the breadth and depth of the topics.

No one writes or compiles a work of this nature by him or herself. I am in great debt to the LCHS (Luzerne County Historical Society) staff, my IT support personified by Hugh Hughes and Dave Cooper (without whom none of this would be seen), Wyoming Seminary, and the local history authors who have come before me. I am very grateful to Tony Brooks, Robert Mischak, William Kashatus and Robert Wolensky who critiqued the script, watched the video and offered recommendations that sometimes required me to pull any hair I had left—out. Their support and friendship is very much appreciated! My wife is as glad this project is at this stage as am I. Her suggestions and encouragement to keep going always came at the right moment as well.

John Dziak of the Greater Pittston Historical Society was where this all started. A conversation with him at a local history seminar turned into two documentaries and now this. If John didn't get me started with the computer programs and “hang in there” with me when hard drives crashed, this would be just another idea rattling around in my head.

So thank you all for your friendship, your support, and your suggestions.

I hope this work gives the viewer some thought to ponder or provides some inspiration to get out and look with new eyes at the place we call home.
- Clark Switzer August 2015