Vince Hydro Publications

01/09/2025

The Nesquehoning Historical Society is pleased to announce the start of its 2025 Presentation Series on local history.

Join us with local author and historian Vince Hydro for a new presentation entitled: “The Summit Hill & Mauch Chunk Switchback, America’s First Roller Coaster.”

There will be two showings; doors open an hour before the presentation.

Monday, September 29, 2025 at 6:00 pm
And
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm

Following his presentation, Hydro will be signing copies of his book: The Summit Hill and Mauch Chunk Switchback Railroad: America’s First Roller Coaster, as well as copies of his other books on local history.

The events will take place at the NHS Museum, 157 West Railroad Street, Corner of Ratcliff and Railroad Sts. in Nesquehoning. There is ample parking available in the large lot located next to the Museum, however, we have filled up the lot at recent events. Come early to get a good parking spot and seat in the Museum.

This event is open to the public free of charge, although donations to the Historical Society are always welcome.

16/05/2025

On Saturday, May 24, 2025, St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jim Thorpe will kick off their 2025 Tour Season with a special event. Local historian and author Vince Hydro will sign copies of his latest book, The History of St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church and Its Treasures. The event will take place from 12-2 pm in the church, located on Race Street in Jim Thorpe. All proceeds from the sale of this book go towards St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church Restoration Fund.

The book dedication reads as follows:
“This book is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Rosamond Starr Heberling Dana. Baptized, raised, and married in St. Mark’s, Rosamond maintained her church membership all her life, establishing the longest membership in the history of St. Mark’s and St. John’s Church. Her love still resides within its walls.”

This quality hardbound book includes pictures by local photographers Tom Storm and Desha Utsick. Anne Giles, daughter of Rosamond Heberling Dana, first contacted Vince Hydro about writing the book, and coordinated review and editing of the manuscript by family members located across the United States. Anne’s brother George W. Dana handled book layout and publishing.

St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal church is a Registered National Landmark and is a popular destination for visitors to Jim Thorpe. The structure was designed by renowned architect Richard Upjohn and completed in 1869. While many famous Mauch Chunk families supported this church, including ancestors of Rosamond Heberling Dana, it was the renowned Asa Packer who provided important early financing for both the original and the current church structure.

03/12/2024

The real story on Carbon County's Lost Village of Lausanne

If you enjoyed this video, please consider joining my Patreon to help create more videos like this! https://www.patreon.com/PartTimeExplorerTo give a one-tim...

07/10/2024

The Nesquehoning Historical Society is pleased to announce the continuation of its 2024 Presentation Series on local history.

Join us as local author and historian Vince Hydro presents a survey of the famous Mauch Chunk Switchback Railroad. The show is entitled: “The Switchback Railroad: Selected Scenes from Then and then and Now.”

There will be two showings; doors open an hour before the presentation.

Monday, October 28 at 6:00 pm
And
Saturday, November 2 at 2:00 pm

Following his presentation, Hydro will be signing copies of his book: The Summit Hill and Mauch Chunk Switchback Railroad: A Pictorial History, as well as copies of his other books on local history.

The events will take place at the NHS Museum, 157 West Railroad Street, Corner of Ratcliff and Railroad Sts. in Nesquehoning. There is ample parking available in the large lot located next to the Museum, however, we have filled up the lot at recent events. Come early to get a good parking spot and seat in the Museum.

This event is open to the public free of charge, although donations to the Historical Society are always welcome.

05/10/2024

I am leading a walk from D&L White Haven trailhead to Tannery and back on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:00 am. If you are attending, please note that the parking area at the White Haven trailhead is CLOSED for construction of new I-80 bridge abutment.
We suggest walk attendees park in the shopping area parking lot just above the trailhead (501 Main St, White Haven, PA 18661).
Once you have parked plan to meet at the trail building housing the restrooms.

Oct 12th 2024 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Saturday, October 12 at 10 AM (Rain Date: Sunday, October 13), D&L White Haven South Trailhead Leader: Vince Hydro Join us for a 3-mile out-and-back hike along the D&L Trail starting at the White Haven South Trailhead. We will hike south, stopping at lock 28 and...

04/10/2024

Then and Now. What is colloquially known as the "Packerton Trestle" below Jim Thorpe between D&L Trail milepost markers 104.5 and 105. And just west/north of the trestle, the remains of Lock No. 3, Lehigh Canal Lower Division and its mysterious tunnel.

04/10/2024

Then and Now. Lock No. 4 on Lower Division of Lehigh Canal. About 2.5 miles below Jim Thorpe. In June of 1886, Louis Comfort Tiffany, of Tiffany Stained Glass fame, rode to Mauch Chunk on the Molly Polly Chunker, a converted coal scow. Tiffany traveled with his fiancé,Miss L.M. Knox, daughter of President Knox, of Lafayette College; and other persons, including a chaperone. They tied up at Lock No. 4 and spent the night there before moving on to Mauch Chunk. Tiffany and crew took the attached black and white photos.

01/10/2024

01/09/2024

The Nesquehoning Historical Society is pleased to announce the resumption of our 2024 season of presentations at the Museum. Next on our calendar is a team presentation on coal mining featuring musician Dave Matsinko and historian Vince Hydro. Dave Matsinko’s performance will include selections on various acoustic instruments of music reflecting the heritage of our local area. Vince Hydro will display images of the history of coal mining including first discoveries, types of coal mines and the miners and their families.

There will be two showings:
Monday, September 23, 2024 at 6:00 pm—doors open at 5:00 pm.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 1:00 pm—doors open at 11:00 am.

The events will take place at the NHS Museum, 157 West Railroad Street, Corner of Ratcliff and Railroad Sts in Nesquehoning. There is ample parking available in the large lot located next to the Museum, however, we have filled up the lot at recent events. Come early to get a good parking spot and seat in the Museum.

This event is open to the public free of charge, although donations to the Historical Society are always welcome. Hope to see you there!

03/06/2024

One of the best years yet for blooms in the garden

08/05/2024

Have you heard of Carbon County’s lost village of Lausanne and wondered about it—where it was located and what happened to it? Lausanne was a small village founded in 1805 at the mouth of the Nesquehoning Creek on the Lehigh River. The village was the origination point of the earliest ark shipments down the Lehigh River and was originally intended by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company to be the site of company headquarters. As part of its continuing 2024 season of events, the Nesquehoning Historical Society is pleased to announce a talk and visual presentation on Lausanne by local author and historian Vince Hydro, entitled “Carbon County’s Lost Village of Lausanne.” There will be two showings: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:30 pm; and Saturday, June 1 at 2:00 pm. Following his presentation, Hydro will be signing copies of his book: Outpost on the Lehigh River: The Lost Village of Lausanne, as well as copies of his other books on local history.

The events will take place at the NHS Museum, 157 West Railroad Street, Corner of Ratcliff and Railroad Sts. in Nesquehoning. There is ample parking available in the large lot located next to the Museum, however, we have filled up the lot at recent events. Come early to get a good parking spot and seat in the Museum.

This event is open to the public free of charge, although donations to the Historical Society are always welcome.

06/04/2024

Yesterday morning around 9:00 am someone stole the 2 old church bells outside the Nesquehoning Historical Society museum on Railroad Street in Nesquehoning, loading them onto a trailer in broad daylight. Anyone with information about this please contact the Nesquehoning police