Easton has undergone a commercial and cultural revival over the past decade, but the city experienced a challenging period in the late 1960s–early 1980s that changed the fabric of the community.
Join Pennsylvania State Representative Bob Freeman and a gathering of community members as we re-visit the history of local urban renewal projects of the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s..
Learn why the projects were initiated and what advocates hoped to achieve.
Share stories with fellow residents and activists who protested the plans and experienced the social and economic consequences of the changes.
And hear memories of “Syrian Town,” a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Lebanese, Italian, Anglo and African American residents in the heart of Easton that was dismantled in the name of progress.
Our program will be begin with brief remarks from panel members and will be followed by an audience participation period. Come share your story!
NCHGS members free. $5 non-members
This program is co-sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Engaged Humanities Consortium, a grant initiative generously funded by the Andrew W. Mellon foundation. It is also a lead-up to Destination: Northampton County, a new permanent exhibition coming in 2019 that celebrates ethnic diversity and immigrant contributions in Northampton County, with a focus on the past 50 years.
image: community parade in Syrian Town, NCHGS collection