The catalyst that brought about this book was a 1992 reunion luncheon of Dutch Hill Gun Club members who brought pictures of their former Lower Minisink homes for the occasion. Surrounded with favorite images, comradery and pleasant memories, the consensus was that the pictures should be assembled in a booklet. Compiling this keepsake for the displaced families was left in the writer's hands. A simplistic album could have been completed in a few months, but it seemed important that the album disclose the rich history – the multitude of legacies that unfolded over time. Allowing for the average domestic and family priorities, and driven by a penchant to dig deeper and deeper into the past, a decade and a half has passed. One advantage to this long incubation period is that new printing technology has quickened the last steps to publication.
Finally, with book in hand, long overdue thanks is humbly offered by the writer, to each and every one of the Gun Club members and all others, as well, who have assisted in any way. You have loaned pictures, given insights; shared stories, reference books, old ledgers and other memorabilia, and you have given encouragement to complete the job.
The four superb river valley photos, including the cover photo, are from the archives of the Delaware River Basin Commission; the drawing of the Tocks Island Dam Project was supplied by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers whose tract maps comprise the Appendix. The last Superintendents of the Delaware Water Gap NRA, including current Superintendent John Donahue, kindly authorized reports on historic structures, archaeology, Pahaquarry Copper Mines, NRA acreage and other public records, i. e. The Lower Minisink Region DWGNRA map by Leslie Morlock, GIS Specialist/NPS employee; also the NPS Map showing regional location of the Minisink.
Rewarding contacts have been made with the Historical Associations of Warren, Northampton, Pike, Monroe and Sussex Counties. Permission to use photos has been granted by the William Penn Historic Museum, the Library of Congress, and other sources listed beneath photos. Specialized data was obtained through the National Archives, the New Jersey State Museum, William Penn State Museum, American University, Princeton University, Rutgers University, National Geographic, Gary Sawyer of the New York State Museum, American Museum of Natural History, the PA State Geologist, Robert Tudor of the Delaware River Basin Commission; Maya Von Rossum, Delaware Riverkeeper, and Richard Albert, Scientist for the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
The great 1880's works of New Jersey's William Snell and Pennsylvania's Alfred Matthews, and other area histories cited in footnotes were invaluable source material.
Special thanks go to former Monroe County Boy Scout Leaders and Girl Scout Leaders listed in the footnotes, and to former residents of the DWGNRA who helped the writer reconstruct their 1960's neighborhoods: Robert Noll, Ralph Turn, Margaret and Lawrence Butz, Kemmie Garris, Amzie Dunbar, Rita Schoonover Laubner, Harold Van Campen, Harry Fisler, Frank LeBar, Walter Wyckoff, Mary Pappalardo, Edward Treible, Eileen and Donald Kline, Mrs. Pardee Place, Mrs. R. Fuller, and Shirley and Robert Demarest.
Other kind volunteers have been Harry Reiff, Dick Kerr, June Vail and Cathy Siegle, each one valued for their knowledgeable help. Lastly, family members have earned special recognition and my everlasting gratitude: Spouse Joe for humoring my “book hobby”; Daughter Alice for her picturesque paintings, sketches and thoughtful advices; Son Arthur for unlimited patience in computer knowledge and technical details; Granddaughter Jennifer, Editor and Grandson Stevphen for layout, design and transforming the rough draft into an art form. Without this loyal, loving family support, Lasting Legacies of the Lower Minisink would not have been possible.
DEDICATION
Lasting Legacies of the Lower Minisink is dedicated to all those who have lived in, labored for, treasured and maintained their places in the Minisink, and to present and future generations upon whose shoulders rests the responsibility of its stewardship. It is dedicated to this Park's theme, RURAL AMERICANA; may it be sustained in perpetuity in the spirit of Congressionally-avowed purposes and the 1916 Act that established America's National Park System. Just as “a fool and his money are soon parted,” nurturing of America's choice Earthen legacies reflects upon the trustworthiness of its guardians. The human value and minute size of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, seated in the northeastern megalopolis of the United States, deserves the highest level of public resolve to sustain and defend it from any unnatural intrusions. To do less is to return its undeveloped, pristine loveliness to the sameness of lands unqualified for national park status, and to rob future generations of a Congressionally-guaranteed legacy. This unique National Park is truly an oasis for persons of all ages, from all walks of life, with millions of years behind it and a future in the hands of humankind.
