On a bright, sunny, Sterling day in the summer of '94, Don Wilmot, Alice Lenz and Sarah Wilmot met along the road on their way to the post office. After a lengthy discussion of all the worldly problems, it was noted that due to the aging process, that none of us can control, and all the new families moving in that we were losing record of our own heritage. Wouldn't it be great if we could get everyone together and discuss all the "good old days" and record the happenings for our future generations? In early 1995, approximately 40 people interested in Sterling history met in the Sunday School room of the Sterling United Methodist Church. In September 1996, the Historians of Sterling Township (HOST) were formally incorporated and continued meeting in the church once a month on Sunday afternoons.
The historians knew at this time that there would be a Wayne County Bicentennial celebration in Honesdale and committees were being formed for this event. Sterling history was collected and submitted for incorporation in the history book by Dr. Walter B. Barbe and Kurt A. Reed, titled History of Wayne County, Pennsylvania (1798-1998). Marjorie Altemier made a quilt block which was placed on The Bicentennial Quilt of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, 1798-1998. James Kundratic and Alice Lenz met with the Bicentennial Committee in Honesdale. There was a parade on September 12, 1998 and Sterling was well represented by vehicles owned by James Kundratic, among them a team of horses and a wagon for the Wayne County Commissioners and family members and a horse and carriage for Judge Conway and family to ride on. Mr. Kundratic also provided a food trailer for the historian's sales of food and drink.
The Howetown Farm Show was started in August 1997 and HOST has participated at each show.
Discussions began with the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) #959 members about leasing a portion of their hall in which HOST could hold meetings in. In November 1998, an agreement was reached to lease the hall and change meeting dates to the 4th Saturday night of each month. 1.O.O.F. agreed to donate the hall to HOST but the land belonged to heirs and assigns of William E. Hamlin who gave permission for a hall to be built on his land with the requirement that once 1.O.O.F. #959 disbanded, the property would revert. Mr. Kundratic and Mr. Connor (owner of property at the time) reached an agreement about the property and eventually a quiet title was issued in April 2002 and the Grand Lodge donated the building to HOST.
The hall, built in 1887, needed extensive repairs. Under the leadership of Howard Stevens, matching grants were secured from the Villaume Trust in Honesdale and the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau to help with the renovation costs. Due to an enormous effort by our President, Howard Stevens, a work detail from Wayne County Prison directed by Mr. Scudilla sided and painted the front, back and east side of the hall. Paul Butler made a sign for HOST, using the former I.O.O.F. brackets and it was placed over the front door. The roof was painted, courtesy of Nancy McLain. Don During the summer, game parties are held once a month. The Memorial Day program for the township has been sponsored by HOST since 1995. The Veterans’ Plaque, cannon and flag are maintained by HOST members Wilmot is removing dirt on the west side of the hall and renovations by the work detail will be completed 2004.
A committee was formed in 2000 and several members submitted material for the September 2001 edition of the Historic Buildings of Sterling Township, Wayne County Pennsylvania. Through the years, there have been many requests for genealogy material. To aid in this, Carol Brown arranged for a reprinting of The History of Sterling, by Garford Williams (1950).
During the summer, game parties are held once a month. The Memorial Day program for the township has been sponsored by HOST since 1995. The Veterans’ Plaque, cannon and flag are maintained by HOST members
The HOST Hall was declared eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
The building is still used by HOST for meetings that are held the last Saturday of each month at 2:00 and they hold various events throughout the year.
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