WYOMING — The Battle and Massacre of Wyoming was fought on July 3, 1778, and is considered to be the most significant battle of the American Revolution in Northeast Pennsylvania.
The annual observances at the Wyoming Monument began on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Wyoming on July 3, 1878, and the keynote speaker at the event was the then-President of the United States, Rutherford Hayes.
The Wyoming Commemorative Association has held the event every year since.
The 148th annual observance marking the 248th anniversary of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming, and sponsored by the Wyoming Commemorative Association, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Wyoming Monument National Historic Site on Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming Borough. It will begin with a 30-minute concert by the Wyoming Valley Concert Band.
The free ceremony will include the traditional floral tributes presented by local veterans, fraternal, and patriotic organizations.
In the event of rain, tent-covered seating will be available.
The date coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, making this event especially significant.
Speakers
Christopher Pearl, chair of the history department and co-coordinator of the American Studies program at Lycoming College, will be the keynote speaker.
Pearl earned his Ph.D at Binghamton University, and his research focuses on the American Revolution and the founding of America.
His newest book, “Declarations of Independence: Indigenous Resilience, Colonial Rivalries, and the Cost of Revolution,” was published by the University of Virginia Press and received the Walker Cowan Memorial Prize for a work of scholarship in 18th-century studies.
William Conyngham is the event chair and will serve as master of ceremonies. He is a direct descendant of Colonel Zebulon Butler, who commanded the colonial forces that fought at the Battle of Wyoming in 1778. Conyngham is the outgoing board president of the Luzerne County Historical Society and was the co-founder of the North Branch Land Trust.
The Rev. Thomas P. Looney, president of King’s College, will be the chaplain for the event. Looney earned his Ph.D from the Catholic University of America and serves on the board of the University of Notre Dame.
Museum open house
The Zebulon Butler House Museum, 313 S. River St., will welcome visitors for a special Independence Day Open House from noon to 3 p.m., immediately following the ceremony.
The museum preserves the legacy of four generations of the Butler family, whose story is central to the early history of Wilkes‑Barre and the Wyoming Valley.
Guests will have the opportunity to explore the museum, archival displays, and newly interpreted exhibits.
A highlight of this year’s event is the display of the 1912 President Theodore Roosevelt clock, gifted to Father John Curran, a prominent local priest and civic leader.
The museum will also unveil three recent portrait acquisitions: Wilkes‑Barre Mayor Daniel Hart; William Camp Gildersleeve, a key figure in the region’s Underground Railroad network; and William Ross, as in Ross Street, a survivor of the Battle and Massacre of Wyoming.
“We’re honored to open the Butler House on Independence Day, a moment when our community reflects on its origins and the people who shaped it,” said Tony Brooks, executive director and curator of the Wilkes‑Barré Preservation Society. “These new additions deepen our ability to tell the story of leadership, resilience, and civic service in Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley.”
Light refreshments will be provided. RSVPs are encouraged and can be made by texting or calling 570‑793‑3631.
About the Zebulon Butler House Museum
Built in 1793 and incorporating parts of a 1773 log cabin, the Zebulon Butler House is Wilkes‑Barre’s oldest and most significant historic residence.
Operated by the Wilkes‑Barré Preservation Society, the museum is dedicated to preserving local heritage through research, exhibitions, and public programming.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.