Are the local legends about the Packer family true?

Did Mary Hannah Packer marry Charles Henry Cummings in order to get access to Asa Packer’s estate? And did Mary and Charles quickly divorce?

Was Asa Packer the richest man in America?

If you are interested in the truth behind these and other local stories, make plans to attend an upcoming presentation at the Nesquehoning Historical Society.

The society is pleased to announce it will host an encore performance of Vince Hydro’s presentation, “Asa Packer’s People: The Story of the Packer Children - Lucy, Mary, Harry and Robert.”

The event will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at the NHS Museum, 157 W. Railroad St. in Nesquehoning.

This event is open to the public free of charge, although donations to the historical society are always welcome.

During the event, Hydro will hold a visual presentation about the Packer family; followed by a book signing of his book “Asa Packer’s People: The Story of the Packer Children.”

This event will include a visual presentation of the history of the children of Asa and Sarah Packer, who lived in the mansion located on the hillside overlooking Jim Thorpe.

Asa Packer was the founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, Lehigh University and St. Luke’s Hospital.

While much has been written about Asa Packer, this is the first time that the history of his children has been documented.

In Asa Packer’s People, Hydro relates the history of the children of Asa and Sarah Packer, based upon documented sources, and sets these stories against the hearsay and rumors that have been perpetuated over the years about Asa Packer’s children.

Hydro, a native of Carbon County, has written extensively on Carbon County history, Mauch Chunk, and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company.

His latest book, “The Summit Hill and Mauch Chunk Gravity Railroad: America’s First Roller Coaster,” was released this past spring.

Hydro is currently working on his next publication, an early history of mining operations at Summit Hill and the Panther Valley, including the Panther Valley portion of the famous Switch-Back Railroad.