| Wyoming Valley’s Symbol of Independence |
| Written by Anthony T.P. Brooks | ||||||
 Our cultural and historic assets are a significant part of our local heritage. Preserving our community’s heritage fosters civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past that we all share. Promotion and enhancement of historic buildings and sites is a necessary component of the social and economic prosperity of the Wyoming Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our ancestors have long recognized the importance of cultural and historic preservation to our community’s social vitality. As early as 1833 we find our first example, when The Honorable Chester Pierce Butler laid the cornerstone of the Wyoming Monument to honor his grandfather, Colonel Zebulon Butler, and the 172 defenders of liberty who died at the Battle of Wyoming. The Wyoming Monument stands as the symbol of independence for our region of America. In today’s world where every community is fast becoming one giantbig-box suburb, the promotion of local landmarks makes communities unique and can help drive economic and community development. Plans for the Wyoming Monument began in 1826 by General William S. Ross and Wilkes-Barre Town Council President Arnold Colt, and through the efforts of the Ladies’ Monumental Association, was completed in 1843. As an aside, the Ladies’ Monumental Association- now the Wyoming Monument Association- was founded in 1841 under the leadership of Mrs. Chester Butler and Mrs. George Hollenback and is one of the oldest all-female historical groups in the United States. Standing 62 feet and six inches tall, the Wyoming Monument is adorned with fourmarble tables with engraved inscriptionsincluding the lists of the slain and survivors of the fateful day of July 3, 1778. Each year since 1878, the Wyoming Commemorative Association has hosted a major tradition-filled observance on the grounds of the Wyoming Monument to pay tribute to the famed battle and fallen heroes in our early struggle for independence. The annual July 3rd observance takes the form of a church-like service. The Wyoming Valley Band plays patriotic songs and the 109th Field Artillery Color Guard marches with a half dozen flags, including the flags of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The 109th is the only National Guard unit in the entire country authorized to carry two state flags. Floral tributes from some 35 hereditary,fraternal, and military organizations are placed at the foot of the Wyoming Monument and members of the 24th Connecticut Militia (Revolutionary War enactors) present a volley tribute. Prayers are offered. Speeches are made. Pictures are snapped of the many descendant children of the brave rag-tag local militia who valiantly tried to defend our Wyoming Valley from Iroquois Indians, Tories, and British Redcoats. A century ago, the Wyoming Monumentwas widely known throughout all of America. The first observance drew a crowd of more than 50,000 people to hear an address from President Rutherford B. Hayes. Today, the tradition continues with distinguished scholars, community leaders, and elected officials delivering the annual address—usually related to historical events of the Wyoming Valley. Membership in the Wyoming Commemorative Association is open to all. Many members represent some of theleading families of the greater Wilkes-Barre area as well as descendants of those who fought in the battle. Frank E.P. Conyngham, a descendant of both Colonel Zebulon Butler and Ensign Matthias Hollenback,has served as president of the association since 1990. Many of us wax nostalgic over the loss of the Old Fell Tavern, Frank Clark Jeweler, the old Boston Store name, Hanson’s Park, and walking to our local high school. But we can continue to assert our independence and honor our heritage by supporting the Wyoming Monumentand the annual observance. The feisty pioneer generation of the Wyoming Valley and the symbolism of the Wyoming Monument have much to teach us today. They teach us that the struggle for independence continues, but they also teach us of our community’s uniqueness and that might be the most important lesson of all. Anthony T.P. Brooks is a board member of the Wyoming Commemorative Association. Bookmark with:
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