The tragic and macabre aspects of Scranton’s history are brought to light in the annual Scranton After Dark paranormal walking tour. Lackawanna Historical Society guides weave a candlelit path through downtown Scranton imparting tales of tragic events, curious occurrences, and ghostly apparitions that have become part of the city’s lore. Participants are invited to attend a presentation by local paranormal investigators who reveal evidence collected at several reportedly active haunted locations within the city. The event is arranged by the LHS in conjunction with a Scranton After Dark paranormal investigation team. It is the only paranormal tour sanctioned by the LHS.

A host of ladies and gentlemen “step” back in time each year on a lovely April evening for the Historical Society’s Grand Civil War Ball. The guests—some dressed in period clothing, others in formal wear—are
treated to authentic Civil War era music and a variety of dances. While some people enjoy simply observing
the dances, most attendees stride merrily to the polka, waltz, schottische and reels. All dances are taught, so
no prior dance experience is required.

The historic Scranton Iron Furnaces roared to life June 19 for the inaugural Arts on Fire industrial arts fair. The LHS was one of several partners in the event which featured tours of the Furnaces, art demonstrations, music, food, and arts and crafts. Keystone College students facilitated an iron pour reminiscent of those that occurred at the site during the late 1800s. At that time, Scranton was one of the largest iron producers in the nation. The LHS and its partners hope to make the fair an annual event.

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Marvel at Scranton's exceptional and varied architecture and listen to surprising tales about some of the city’s prominent buildings as you stroll along a three-square-block area of downtown Scranton. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history, design, and craftsmanship of such structures as the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, Scranton City Hall, the Albright Memorial Library, the Federal Courthouse and Post Office building, Hotel Jermyn, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Tours take place on Saturdays from June through October.

One of the most popular LHS programs, the Historic Hill House Tour allows participants to visit architecturally diverse private residences in Scranton’s unique Hill Section. Initially a neighborhood where early industrialists built monuments to their fortunes, the Hill Section has evolved to include upper-middle-class and middle-class homes, hospitals, churches, synagogues, a university, and the city’s largest park. The charm of the neighborhood is exhibited in its eclectic array of homes arranged side-by-side along often pristine tree-lined streets. The tour takes place in June of odd-numbered years.

This popular biennial tour explores the rich cultural heritage of Lackawanna County as exhibited in its myriad places of worship. The tour is conducted by an architect and facilitated by a representative of each house of worship. Together, the two offer insight into the art, architecture, and craftsmanship of each building while the buildings themselves demonstrate the intense work ethic and hope displayed by the diverse groups of people who settled in this area and made it unique. The tour takes place in even-numbered years.

As part of its monthly lecture program, the Lackawanna Historical Society, in conjunction with the Dunmore Historical Society, recently invited Sal Mecca and Victor Capooci to give a PowerPoint presentation on the Pennsylvania Gravity Railroads. The program took place at the Catlin House.

In April, 2010 area movers and shakers faced off in a local history quiz show entitled “You Live Here: You Should Know This!” Questions were created by students from Valley View and Riverside high schools with support from the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit and Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. Among the contestants were Lackawanna County employee Maureen McGuigan, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, Times-Tribune columnist Christopher J. Kelly, and LHS board member Dominic Keating. The LHS hopes to make the show an annual event.