STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Stroudsburg’s past is getting a fresh polish as a new heritage center in the Poconos is in its final stages.
The Stroud Mansion on Main and North Ninth Street is a time capsule to Stroudsburg’s roots.
Originally home of founder, Jacob Stroud, it’s a relic of the past still being used today, but now featuring some much-needed upgrades.
“The house was built in 1795; it was never intended to be a museum, a library, a community space, and offices in 2025,” says Amy Leiser, executive director, Monroe County Historical Association
Nearly 10 years in the making and two years under construction.. The Monroe County Historical Association’s ‘ heritage center’ is in its final stages.. Showcasing a 13,000 square foot addition.
“We’ve got air conditioning, climate-controlled storage, also added air conditioning to the existing mansion. We’ve got an elevator for handicap accessible, not only to the addition but also to the old mansion,” says Bill Leonard, board of directors chairman at the Monroe Co. Historical Association.
Also offering a community room and library, the group says it was a challenge to not only add updates.
“We did a complete exterior renovation of the existing Stroud Mansion by a professional in the industry,” says Leonard.
But also empty out every piece of artifact to put into storage.
“It took 15 volunteers, three months of working every day to package everything up and box it, color code it, and have it moved off-site,” says Leiser.
A massive addition allows the historical association to move its offices into this new area for the center, meaning all 14 rooms in the original museum can be utilized for display.
“More artifacts are on display, which in turn means better stories are told, more stories from Monroe County voices can be heard.”
The organization plans to have a reopening of the building by the spring of next year.
The Monroe County Historical Association is asking for the community to get involved with reopening by sponsoring a Stroud Mansion room or engraving a brick for its courtyard.
