The Monroe County Historical Association is pleased to announce a free program open to the public. Retired educator David Koster will give a presentation titled, “Reflections on the 1955 Flood Through the Camera of Albert Koster: A Then and Now Perspective.” This program is part of the popular Third Thursday Lecture Series and will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Keystone 202A/B Community Room at NCC-Pocono Campus, 2411 Route 715, Tannersville, PA 18372.
The Flood of 1955 was a catastrophic event that transformed the landscape and way of life in Monroe County. On August 19, in the aftermath of storms born of hurricanes Connie and Diane, which dumped more than a foot of rain in Stroudsburg, raging creeks overflowed, destroying everything in their paths and killing 76 people.
In the hours after the water receded, 25-year-old Al Koster, East Stroudsburg resident and budding photographer captured ground-level and aerial photos of the devastation. While many photos were taken, Koster’s differed as they were in vivid color.
Evidence of the flood’s aftermath is still visible today if one knows where and how to look. In this presentation, Koster will display many of his father’s original photos, describing them in historical context and comparing them with views of the same locations as they appear today.
The Third Thursday Lecture Series is free, but reservations are suggested due to limited space.
To reserve your spot or for additional information, please contact the Monroe County Historical Association office at (570) 421-7703 or admin@monroehistorical.org.