Programs on arts, Lenape culture planned in Poconos | Something to Think About

Debbie Kulick
·3 min read

A new month and the light at the end of the winter tunnel is shining warmer!

There may be that last snowfall (or basically only snowfall), but with the Spring weather and warm sun we will all be happily seeing daffodils soon! There are some great programs coming up that will certainly interest history buffs as well as those who have an appreciation of art, so get your calendars marked now.

This spring the Friends of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) is presenting a 2-part presentation on March 23 and April 20 at the Shawnee Inn covering the History of Art in the Park.

columnist Debbie Kulick
columnist Debbie Kulick

Local artist Marie Liu (Painter of the Poconos), will be giving her presentation covering artists of the region from the Lenape Nation through to the 1970s.

Discover the exceptional artists of the area and their contributions to the art in America. For more details and to register for the event, go to friendsofdewanps.org/events.html and click on the event History of Art in the Park article. Registration is not required but recommended. Registration can also be done by email at info@friendsofdewanps.org to let them know you plan on attending.

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“The Friends of DWGNRA have been working to bring some very interesting presentations on the rich local history of the area and events to bring people out to enjoy our backyard national recreation area.”, according to Friends president, Karen Tiesling-Keenan.

Tiesling-Keenan added, "We are excited to be offering programs again, after the past few years, and bringing people together to celebrate our park, past and present."

The programs are free to members of the Friends of DWGNRA as well as for those 18 and under. A $5 donation per person is requested for non members.

The organization has additional programs planned, beginning in May with a presentation on the Lenape Nation called "The Past and Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania" on May 20 at PEEC (Pocono Environmental Education Center).

Adam Waterbear DePaul, Chief of Education and Tribal Storykeeper of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, will discuss the past and present of the Lenape people in Pennsylvania.

Storyteller, Adam Waterbear DePaul is slated to give a presentation on the past and present of the Lenape people in Pennsylvania this spring at the Pocono Environmental Education Center.
Storyteller, Adam Waterbear DePaul is slated to give a presentation on the past and present of the Lenape people in Pennsylvania this spring at the Pocono Environmental Education Center.

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This will include pre-colonial life, relationships with William Penn, the era of Penn's Sons and the Walking Purchase, the Lenape diaspora and where they are today, the Lenape who remained in their homeland and how they remained, and what the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania is doing today to revitalize Lenape culture and continue their role as caretakers of the environment.

Although this is not on the Friend's website for registration yet, visit the website, Friendsofdewanps.org, and Facebook page, facebook.com/FriendsOfDEWANPS, where it will be posted soon.

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the group has additional events and programs including more talks, a Family Fun Day at PEEC, and ways to get to know your DWGNRA park better.

Tiesling-Keenan also noted "The Friends are supporting the Delaware River Sojourn after several years absence, which is scheduled for June 16-23. The sojourn is an annual river oriented event organized through a partnership of several like-minded organizations. Come for the week or come for the day and enjoy the Delaware River in all its free-flowing glory!"

To learn more about the Delaware River Sojourn is delawareriversojourn.com.

Great opportunities to learn more about the history of our area and the many fun and exciting adventures that await.

Debbie Kulick writes a weekly column for the Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent. She serves on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as an EMT.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Kulick: Programs on arts, Lenape culture planned in Poconos