Galleries & Artists

AFA Gallery - the Artists for Arts Gallery is a community fine arts gallery located at 514 Lackawanna Avenue in Downtown Scranton. Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m. or by appointment. Call 570.969.1040.

Art Galleries on Local Campuses - Several local college campues are home to art galleries of exceptional quality and diversity. The Visual Arts Center at Marywood University features the Suraci Gallery, a permanent collection of fine and decorative art. Great exhibits from a diverse collection of regional and national artists can also be found at the University Art Galley at the University of Scranton, the Linder Gallery at Keystone College and the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University.

Laura Craig Gallery - located at 307 Linden Street in Downtown Scranton, this gallery is a favorite of local art lovers. Call 570.963.7995 for information.

Christopher Ries - A world-renowned glass artist, Ries is the artist-in-residence at Schott Glass Technologies in Duryea, Pennsylvania. Ries takes blocks of pure, clear lead crytsal cast by Schott Glass and sculpts them into breathtaking pieces of art. Some of his works are the largest, whole, unassembled pieces of sculpted crystal known and have been exhibited in galleries all over the world. Samples of his work can be found in the lobby of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Building at 222 Mulberry Street in Downtown Scranton and in the lobby of the Penn Security Bank Building at 150 N. Washington Avenue, Downtown.

Skylake Gallery - Skylake Gallery offers the work of artists William Chickillo and John Evans, among others. British Airways, Polaroid, and Metropolitan Life have collected Chickillo's work, while Evans includes AT&T, PaineWebber, the National Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston among his collectors. In addition to the current exhibition, a portfolio of original works and prints available for review upon request. Phone 570.945.7000 for info.

Museums & Points of Interest

Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann - home to the largest novena to Saint Ann in the world, this landmark church and monastery was named a basilica by Pope John Paul II in August of 1996. The basilica is located on Saint Ann's Street on a hilltop in West Scranton and overlooks the city. Each June, thousands of visitors travel to Scranton to pay homage to Saint Ann at the annual novena. The event is broadcast on national television. The basilica is also known for its spectacular interior architecture. Phone 570.941.0100

Catlin House (Lackawanna Historical Society - Housed within the walls of this elegant, 16-room, 1912 English Tudor style manor lies an invaluable collection of books, photographs, furnishings, clothing and artifacts. Home to the Lackawanna Historical Society, the Catlin House showcases the evolution of the Scranton region from vast wilderness to industrial hub. Located on the campus of the University of Scranton, the Catlin House hosts guided tours every Tuesday through Saturday between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Call 570.344.3841.

Dorflinger Glass Museum - Located in White Mills, PA near Honesdale, The Dorflinger Glass Museum is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Christian Dorflinger, known throughout the world as the creator of fine crystal and exquisite cut glass. The museum displays the largest single selection of "Honesdale glass" in the world. The museum is open from Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information call 570.253.1185.

Electric City Trolley Station and Museum - Relieve the time of the trolleys at the Electric City Trolley Museum and Station, located in a resplendently restored 19th century mill building adjacent to the Steamtown National Historic Site in Downtown Scranton. You'll see an "under-the skin-view" of a restored trolley, interactive displays, the Trolley Restoration Shop, interactive children's exhibit and 50-seat theater. For information and hours of operation please call 570.963.6590.

Everhart Museum - The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art was founded by Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart in 1908. Among the treasures you'll find here are an ornithological collection, displays of Indian relics, a full-scale articulated stegosaurus skeleton, Dorflinger Glass, American Folk Art, Native American Art and Ethnographic Art. The museum is located in Nay Aug Park at 1901 Mulberry Street in Scranton. Please call for hours at 570.346.7186.

Holocaust Museum & Research Center - The HMRC was established in 1994 and features a small but growing museum collection, which features several artifacts including a Czech Torah that survived the Holocaust. The HMRC also has an active Research Center featuring community education and commemorations and offers educational outreach programs to area schools. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Center is located in the Scranton Jewish Community Center at 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton. Call 570.961.2300 for info.

Houdini Tour & Magic Show - The only museum in the world devoted to the famous Harry Houdini is located at 1433 N. Main Avenue in Scranton. Houdini and his brother Hardeen performed in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre often and did historic challenges here. Nationally known magicians and Houdini collectors Dorothy Dietrich and Bravo the Great perform live with animals. Great for kids and adults. The museum has been featured on several segments on the Discovery Channel. Call 570.342.5555.

Kelley's Auto Museum - a great collection of vintage cars can be seen at this privately owned museum located on Lehigh Road in Gouldsboro, PA. Phone 570.842.3745 for info.

Keystone College Astronomy Observatory - The Observatory was founded in 1973 and features a lens made in 1882 by Alvan Clark & Sons, makers of the finest refracting lenses ever ground in the United States. The Observatory is located at a "dark sky" site eight miles northeast of the Keystone College campus. While the telescope will magnify effectively to 700x, it is most often used from 100x to 300x. For information regarding public programs call 570.945.3665.

Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour - Go down in history - 300 feet beneath the surface of the earth in this abandoned but restored hard coal mine! Located in McDade Park near the Scranton/Taylor line, the mine is operated by the County of Lackawanna and has received national awards as a tourist attraction. The mine is open daily April through November. The tour takes approximately one hour and is given by an actual coal miner. An absolutely fascinating experience! Call 1.800.238.7245 for ticket info.

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum - Located in McDade Park, Scranton, adjacent to the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, this museum tells the story of the people who came to the Anthracite region of Pennsylvania to work in the mines, mills, and factories. It looks at their lives and culture and their impact on the state and region. Open year round. Call 570-963-4804.

Scranton Iron Furnaces - These four massive stone blast furnaces were built by the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company between 1848 and 1857. The furnaces were the second largest iron producer in the United States by 1880 and produced T-rails for America's railroads until 1902. They are located in a park-like setting on Cedar Avenue, just two blocks outside of Downtown Scranton. Open year round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Steamtown National Historic Site - The National Park Service owns and operates this $70 million historic site located on the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railyards behind the Mall at Steamtown in Downtown Scranton. The site was established in 1986 to further public understanding and appreciation of the role steam railroading played in the development of the United States. Steamtown features technology and history museums, a restored roundhouse and turntable, a museum shop and seasonal train excursions. Open year round except for major holidays. Call 1.888.693.9391 for ticket rates and excursion info.

Collections

Antiques - there are scores of great antique galleries and shops in Northeastern Pennsylvania including several that are members of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. For a list, just link to the Chamber's Business Directory and search for "antiques".

Miniature Memories - this H-O train display is an incredibly lifelike version of the Lackawanna Valley and surrounding landmarks. The display also features the area's largest scale model car collection and a miniature three-ring circus. Miniature Memories is located at Gertrude Hawk Chocolates at 1325 E. Drinker Street, Dunmore. Open from Monday through Saturday from noon to 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Call 570.346.2829 for info.

Villa Capri Car Club - antique car lovers will think they've died and gone to heaven when they attend one of the Villa Capri Car Club's annual shows. The club has more than 100 active members. Its annual show is usually held in June at Nay Aug Park in Scranton and typically showcases more than 500 muscle cars, hot rods and other vintage rides.