Art, Architecture, Magic and more in Pennsylvania's Lackawanna County

Some say all roads lead to Scranton and I have to say that is true, at least in my case. My great-grandparents on my fathers's side lived in Taylor and my great-grandpa Ignatz worked at Moffat Coal Company in the same town. I visited a few years ago and took the mine tour, imagining myself walking in Ignatz's footsteps.

Just this month, I returned again to the area to see what else Lackawanna County had in store for visitors. This time I was able to explore a train-station-turned-hotel, a Masonic lodge that was built in the 1920s, one of the oldest museums in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a small town known for a special kind of pizza, several lovely wineries and a small, but special museum, where I learned quite a bit about a man who was famous for his death-defying acts--the one and only Harry Houdini!

Impressive Architecture

The Lackawanna Train Station is now a Radisson.

My husband and I booked a room at the Radisson located at 700 Lackawanna Avenue across the street from the local Visitor's Center. The striking structure, which became the jewel of Scranton, was conjured into existance by William Hanes Truesdale, President of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, who, in 1899, felt that it was time for the brick station to be replaced by something much grander. A competition was held and architect Kenneth Murchison was selected for the job. The New York architect was already known for train station design, having drawn up plans for terminals at Buffalo, Baltimore and Hoboken. Ground was broken in 1906 and the imposing structure made headlines as the one of the "most beautiful stations in the nation."

Shots of the striking marble lobby.

The barrel-vaulted Tiffany ceiling and siena marble are features of the Radisson lobby.

The last train left the station in 1970 and interest in the building waned until the early 1980s when it was eyed for redevelopment. A mere $13 million got the ball rolling. Today, it operates as a Radisson that impresses guests the minute they walk through the door with siena marble walls, a two-and-a-half story lobby, a terazzo-tiled floor and a barrel-vaulted Tiffany stained glass ceiling. 

To view another example of architectural excellence, we headed on over to the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple located at 420 Washington Avenue. The Masonic Temple and Scottish-Rite Cathedral was inaugurated in 1930 when the first meeting was held in the building. Today its mission is to "rejuvenate a national architectural treasure as a regional center for the arts, education and community activity that is appealing to all," according to their website. 

Rooms where the Masons meet.

Books hide cleverly behind wood panels.

The Cultural Center is huge--at 180,000 square feet. It houses two theatres, meeting rooms, a grand ballroom and other rooms and is the work of architect Raymond Hood. Hood was famous for several New York structures, including the American Radiator Building, the Daily News Building and the RCA Building, now known as The Comcast building.

Beautiful ceilings are located throughout the building. "To the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe" is etched in marble.

The building has seen its share of weddings over the years, along with national tours of Broadway musicals and concerts featuring such diverse acts as Rob Zombie, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow and Britney Spears. And, of course, it continues to serve as the center of Masonic activity within the region.

The interior is a sight to behold, with gilded coffered ceilings, marble for miles, stained glass windows, ornate woodwork and stunning archways. It's another Scranton jewel that never fails to impress.

Marble for miles and stunning archways never fail to impress.

The lower level features dressing rooms for touring acts and shows, many of whom have festooned the walls with their signatures, logos and more. As you see, the casts of some the shows can get quite creative and elaborate when making their mark on history. 

Acts and actors add their mark to the walls on the lower level of the cultural center.

This gem of a building isn't without its complications, however. Alexa Peregrim, Sales Manager, Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, said that the non-profit center is undergoing a several phased, multi-million dollar restoration. "The problem is that we have to do it in increments as grant money comes in," she said. On the roster for the future is restoration work on the theater walls and ceiling, new stage lighting and sound reinforcement systems, replacement of the 75-year-old stage floor, updated dressing rooms and more so that this special place can continue to be used as a hub for the community to enjoy for years to come.

Lift a Glass to the Wineries

A trip to Lackawanna isn't complete without experiencing the wineries of the region. The Lackawanna County Wine Trail takes guests from Old Forge, to Scranton, Blakely, Scott Township and Jermyn.

The RiverView Winery view overlooking the river.

Our first stop was in Jermyn at the RiverView Winery, situated next to the Lackawanna Heritage Trail. This winery has nature to thank for providing guests with a beautiful river backdrop with which to enjoy their favorite vintage of varietal, whether it be Zinfindel, Chardonney, Gewurztraminer, or Moscato. RiverView also carries a variety of fruit wines, like mango, blueberry, pineapple and even caramel apple.

The next stop was the Case Quattro Winery in Peckville where guests can enjoy occasional live entertainment with their wine of choice. Case Quattro also offers foods like fig flatbread, homemade pizza and meatball sliders, to pair with their wines.

Case Quattro also features live entertainment.

The Capra Collina Winery in Blakely was the third stop. Capra Collina offers a wide variety of artesinal wines, from fruit wines, to dry reds and whites. Private tastings can be arranged for up to 60 people and the winery also offers a party room to rent. 

Capra Collina offers public and private tastings.

                                  

Our final stop was at the Mucciolo Family Wines shop in Old Forge. Mucciolo offers a variety of red, white and fruit wines, along with light fare like charcuterie, flatbreads and more. If you'd rather a cocktail, Mucciolo Family Wines has you covered there too. Try the Lavender Wisp; you'll thank me later. 

To have a look at the complete wine trail and the areas it encompasses, you can click on this link where you'll find the brochure.

Mucciolo's Tasting Rooms

Before leaving Old Forge, we stopped for some candy at Bella Faccia's Personalized Chocolates and Gifts. I highly recommend the peanut butter meltaways and am still steamed that I didn't buy more.

A stop at Bella Faccia's in Old Forge is a must.

A Different Kind of Pizza

Old Forge touts itself as the "Pizza Capital of the World," and if you've never tried it, it's a bit different, cooked in a rectagular pan and served in "cuts." 

Revello's Pizza dates back to 1967.

Two "cuts" of Old Forge White Pizza.

If you're watching your carb intake, beware. There is temptation around every corner--literally. Lackawanna County touts a whopping 160 pizza parlors! Pictured here is Revello's Pizza, which dates back to 1967 and was formerly named Pelosi's. If you'd like to give their pizza a try, visit their website; they ship. 

Pizza is not only delicious, but an affordable option, especially for families, so keep this in mind when visiting Lackawanna County. You can plan your vacation around the Pizza Trail, which takes pizza lovers to 62 pizzerias located in  Lackawanna County towns like Moosic, Old Forge, Scranton, Dunmore and beyond.

Thank You Mr. Everhart

Dr. Everhart depicted with a bird in one hand and an Audubon book in the other.

In 1905, Dr. Isaiah Everhart, a Civil War medic, Scranton physician and amateur ornithologist, specified in his will that his money would fund a museum to be built in Scranton's Nay Aug Park as part of the "City Beautiful" movement. The museum opened its doors in 1908, making it the ninth museum in the state of Pennsylvania at the time. Everhart's interest in our feathered friends may have inspired him to open the museum because of his large collection of taxidermied birds and other mounted animals.

Roseate Spoonbill

Pileated woodpecker.

Golden Eagle

Today, Everhart is the largest public museum in Northeastern Pa and features two floors of exhibits. Many specimens are showcased in the Fossil Gallery, the Rocks & Mineral Gallery and the Bird Gallery, which includes plants, mammals, reptiles and amphibian specimens, in addition to a collection of taxidermied birds mentioned earlier. Floor two contains a collection of fine art celebrating the artistic history of Northeastern Pennsylvania through works by both famous painters and sculpters and unknown folk artists. Dorflinger glass, located in White Mills, Pa, is also represented through a collection of glassware, as are landscapes of the region painted by American Impressionast John Williard Raught (1857-1931).

Primitive folk art used for a boot ad.

"Scranton Looking North" by John Williard Raught. 

"Take Out," by Scranton native Hope Horn, (1920-2001) Oil on Canvas

The Everhart Museum is open Thursday through Sunday. Admission is $5. Seniors 60+ and students admitted for $3. Children age 12 and under are free, along with military members and their families.

Learn More about the World-Famous Harry Houdini

The Houdini Museum, located at 1433 N. Main Avenue in Scranton, is a great way to enjoy a family outing, while witnessing a fabulous magic show and learning more about the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. And who better to learn from than two individuals who are celebrities in their own right: Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz.

Dietrich and Brookz pose at Houdini's gravesite.

Dorothy and Dick manage the non-profit museum that was established in 1974 and are dedicated to all things Houdini. Visitors are treated to a two-hour extravaganza of entertainment that includes a film, a guided tour and a one-hour magic show performed by the couple, who have appeared on HBO, Mysteries at the Museum, TLC, and the History Channel. Dietrich is also known as the only woman to do the "bullet catch" stunt, by catching a 22-caliber bullet in her mouth--which is something even the great Houdini refused to do. She is also known for being the first female to escape from a strait jacket while suspended hundreds of feet in the air from a burning rope!

Dietrich is often called "The female Houdini" and is a font of knowledge when it comes to her favorite magician. She was so inspired by Houdini's story as a youngster and how he fled from home, that she, too, ran away (to New York) to pursue her passion for performing magic, which was discouraged every step of the way. Instead of becoming disheartened, she perservered, despite agents warnings that there wasn't a market to watch females perform magic, that is, unless she agreed to strip while doing it. Dietrich ignored the naysayers, stuck to her principals and made a name for herself in the magic world, while breaking another glass ceiling. She created an act where she did more tricks in three minutes than most magicians do in a half hour. Assisted by Brookz, she starred in the HBO special, World's Greatest Escapes, hosted by Tony Curtis, who played Houdini in the Paramount Pictures film "Houdini."

Dietrich's passion shines through as she points out Houdini artifacts and takes questions from the audience about the famous magician. Her eyes light up when she recounts a story about a well-attended seance where she tried to contact Houdini, showing a printing block that bears his likeness and how it mysteriously flipped over as she was making the attempt. (You can see it on the museum website.) 

Because of her passion for the magician, Dorothy was also instrumental in ensuring that the public had access to what is considered one of Houdini's greatest films--one that was lost for 96 years. Thanks to the couple, The Grim Game can now be accessed on the museum's website. Feel free to ask her about it when you visit. Dorothy and Dick have stories galore!

You can also purchase a game that the couple devised so that kids can learn more about the famous escape artist. Called Houdini-opoly, it's available at their museum and looks to be great fun, while also serving as a learning experience. The game can be ordered here.

Dorothy and Dick created Houdini-Opoly, an educational game, complete with trivia on the world-reknown escapeologist and his associates.

To learn more about the museum and how and when you can visit, please click here where it's all explained.

I hope these few suggestions inspire you to take a roadtrip to the Lackawanna County area, where there's a little something for everyone.

Exploring Historic St. Augustine

Last month I wrote about the St. Augustine, Florida region as an alternative to Disney World where I highlighted destinations that can be particularly enjoyable for families. This month I'm going in a different direction by pointing out places adults are more apt to appreciate.

Remarkable Museums

The Lightner Museum was once home to the Hotel Alcazar.

You can't tour St. Augustine without learning about Henry Flagler. Flagler is something of a celebrity in St. Augustine. The American industrialist founded Standard Oil and has been described as a key figure in the development of Florida's Atlantic Coast. If that's not impressive enough, he was also responsible for founding both Palm Springs and Miami.

If not for Flagler, the Lightner Museum located at 75 King Street would not exist. The imposing structure was once home to the Hotel Alcazar, which was commissioned by Flagler to appeal to wealthy tourists who traveled south for the winter on his railroad. (Yes, Flagler also owned a railroad, which was completed in 1912 and known as the 8th wonder of the world at the time.) The Hotel Alcazar was designed by New York City architects Carrier and Hastings in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style. The talented architects also designed the New York Public Library and the former Ponce De Leon Hotel, which is located across the street from the Lightner Museum and is now part of Flagler College.

The hotel shuttered its doors in 1932 and was sold later to Chicago Publisher Otto C. Lightner in 1947, who converted it into a place to store his collection of Victorian art. In 1948, Lightner turned the museum over to the city of St. Augustine.

The first floor of the Lightner Museum, known as the Victorian Science and Industry Room, displays rocks, shells and minerals, Native American artifacts, examples of Victorian glassblowing and mechanized musical instruments dating from the 1870s through the 1920s.

The mechanized musical instrument room displays artifacts dating from the 1870s to the 1920s.

The Excelsior dates back to 1850 and was a working glass steam engine.

The piece above is called the Excelsior. The working, glass steam engine was featured in exhibitions throughout the Northeast and was included in P.T. Barnum's first museum. It dates back to 1850 and was blown by William H. Allen, a master scientific glass blower.

The second floor contains cut glass, Victorian art glass and stained-glass work from Louis Comfort Tiffany's studio and others.

St. Augustine, by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The third floor of the Lightner Museum contains sculpture, paintings and furniture.

"Young Girl Crocheting," 1889, Carrera Marble, signed by Ella Pollock Bidwell.

Carved teak with mother-of-pearl inlay from the Arabian Peninsula, ca. 1880.

Mahogany, Mother of Pearl, 1920.

Viewable from the upstairs balcony is the drained swimming pool of the Hotel Alcazar, which now serves diners as the Cafe Alcazar.

Visitors of the Lightner Museum dine in what was once a swimming pool at the Hotel Alcazar.

Another museum worth visiting is the Villa Zorayda Museum, also located on King Street. Built in 1883 by a Boston Hardware Merchant and amateur architect by the name of Franklin Webster Smith, the museum was inspired by Spain's Alhambra.  The Villa Zorayda served Smith as a residence for 20 years before the building was leased and transformed into a social club in 1913 by Lebanon immigrant Abraham Mussallems.  

In the 1920s, the club became a gambling casino and speakeasy before the Mussallems                            began using it as their private residence. In 1933, the couple decided to share the priceless antique collection with the public by opening it as a museum, which has been maintained by the family for more than a century now.

The first room guests see upon arrival.

The museum today features the antique collection of the original owner, Franklin Webster Smith and that of the Mussellems. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Harem Room 

Pictured above is the Harem Room, which originally served as a second story porch in Franklin Smith's original design. Its name was inspired by a window which enabled residents to peek outside, but prevented strangers from seeing inside.

A 1920s roulette wheel reminds visitors that the museum was once a casino.

One of the most interesting antiquities in the Villa Zorayda is a 2,400-year-old cat rug taken from an Egyptian tomb, which guests are prohibited from photographing. 

Prepare to allot approximately 45 minutes for the self-guided audio tour. 

A different type of museum the whole family can enjoy is the St. Augustine Light House and Maritime Museum, which is run by a non-profit whose mission is to preserve the stories of the nation's oldest port. 

Guests who visit will to learn more about the lighthouse keeper's job, which included carrying oil up 219 steps to the top. A total of eight landings are available for visitors to catch their breath and read more about the popular structure that is depicted on many souvenirs in the St. Augustine area.

Photo courtesy of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

The learning experience continues with shipwreck artifacts, WWII-era structures and an exhibit called "At Home with the Harns," which focuses on the life of a lighthouse keeper's family in the 1880s. An interactive exhibit enlightens both adults and children on school activities and games that were popular during the period.

View of the Keeper's House from inside the tower (courtesy of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum).

Guests are also invited to stroll the grounds, which feature a butterfly garden, a shipyard play area and nature trails. 

The Old Jail

If you wish to tour a museum documenting a darker past, there's the Old Jail Museum located at 167 San Marco Avenue. The jail is tucked into the same area as a few other destinations, like the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and the Oldest Store Museum, both of which I wrote about last month.

The reason I didn't add the old jail to the family activity blog post is because the facts can be very disturbing, but for older children this may not be a problem. A guide dressed like a prisoner tells graphic stories about the inmates and the conditions in which they were held.  The jail was in operation from 1891 to 1953 and at least eight prisoners were hanged there. Visitors can view the gallows outside before moving into the structure itself to see the living quarters of approximately 72 prisoners. 

Lifesize depiction of Sheriff Joe Perry 

A tourist "stool pigeon " gets put in the cage.

The guide relates the story of the huge, sadomasochistic Sheriff Joe Perry who took delight in subjecting the prisoners to the worst conditions possible. What I found particularly interesting was that Perry was the son of a Baptist minister. One would expect the man to have more empathy, but not old Perry. According to our guide, the prisoners were used as free farm laborers during the day and returned to the jail at night where the Florida heat was practically unbearable in such close quarters and where air conditioning was but a dream.

More than a few prisoners were usually contained within a small room.

The few female prisoners (about a dozen at any one time) were raped and forced to cook and clean in between. 

The Sheriff's Office.

According to records, inmates lasted about two years, before dying from maladies like infection, malnutrition and violence.  

The tall, hulking Joe Perry looks down upon his kingdom.

Today, people share stories of hauntings in the Old Jail, like Sim Jackson, who was hanged in 1908 after murdering his wife with a straight razor. Charlie Powell is also said to roam the grounds. He was thrown in the facility for beheading a man who spread rumors about his wife. Guests who want the opportunity to experience things that go bump in the night can sign up to take a night tour called the Ghosts and Graveyards tour.

Day tours are held every 20 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is located at the site of St. Augustine's original settlement. Here guests will receive an education on both the Spanish settlers who arrived in the 1500s and the Native Americans  known as the Timucua. 

My husband drinks from the "Fountain of Youth."

Exhibits include a 30-foot-high Discovery Globe illustrating the routes of the explorers who traveled to the New World, along with a Navigators' Planetarium where guests can learn more about the navigational tools used by those early explorers. Also onsite is a reconstructed Timucuan Village and a reconstructed mission called the Mission of Nombre de Dios, now recognized as the first Catholic mission established in the United States and built in 1587 by Franciscan Friars. The Mission was built on the grounds of the Fountain of Youth, discovered through an archeological dig and then recreated on the site where it once stood.  

Beautiful peacocks freely roam the grounds and boy do they make a racket!

Also located onsite is a blacksmith exhibit, beautiful peacocks that freely roam the grounds and, of course, "The Fountain of Youth." Having worked as a water judge, of course I have to remark upon the water I tasted. It smelled slightly of sulfur and tasted a bit metallic. My husband may have gone back for seconds. We're still waiting for it to work its magic. 

The Mission of Nombre de Dios.

The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Set Sail on a Sunset Cruise

The sun sets near the Mission Nombre de Dios

Before leaving St. Augustine, we made it a point to set sail on a Sunset Cruise and the photo of the sunset alone was worth it. The 90-minute, adults only cruise aboard the Osprey was a relaxing way to view various landmarks like the Mission Nombre de Dios (the Big Cross), the Bridge of Lions that spans the Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Augustine bayfront and the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

Good Eats

The Kingfish Grill offers beautiful harbor views.

The Kingfish Grill is located within steps of the Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor and many patrons dine there before taking the sunset cruise. The restaurant offers fresh, delicious food and a beautiful view of the harbor. If you enjoy sushi, this is the place to be. I ordered a spicy tuna roll and it was the best I'd ever had. 

Accommodations

Conveniently located hotels with comfortable accommodations include The Ponce, The Flagler Inn and the Beachers Lodge Oceanfront Suites.

The Ponce, located at 111 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., is a comfortable option, with standard rooms containing two queen-sized beds, an outdoor pool and free internet access.

The Ponce Hotel 

The Flagler Inn, located at 2700 Ponce de Leon Blvd., is a boutique-style inn, with an onsite Mexican restaurant. The Inn is a good choice for families and all rooms contain a microwave, a coffee maker and a refrigerator. Free continental breakfasts are served each day.

A double queen room at the Flagler Inn.

The Beachers Lodge Ocean Front Suites located on Crescent Beach, touts rooms that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to ocean views, the units all have private patios and/or balconies and kitchenettes making it yet another good choice for families.

These are just a few suggestions can help you jumpstart your vacation to the oldest city in the United States. St. Augustine is quaint, full of history and offers something new and unique around every corner.