ecorated keystones from nearly every municipality in Monroe County were unveiled on April 1 during the Founders’ Day celebration at the courthouse in Stroudsburg.

The project is part of Monroe County’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday on July 4.

“Today we gather to honor the beginnings of Monroe County, the people, the places and the stories that shape this community long before any of us stood here,” said Jody Singer, who is a co-chairman of the Arts and Culture Committee, in his speech at the celebration. The other co-chair is county Controller Erik Diemer.

“Founders’ Day is always a moment to look back with gratitude,” Singer said. “But this year, as we approach America’s 250th anniversary, it’s also a moment to look forward. That’s why the America 250 and Keystone project feels so fitting for this celebration. It bridges our past and our future in ways that only the arts can.”

The large keystones, at about 3 foot by 3 foot in size, are painted with scenes of places, people and animals in that township or borough.

“Across all 20 municipalities in Monroe County, artists and students have created keystone-shaped artworks that reflect the character, the history and the spirit of the community,” Singer said. “These pieces aren’t just decorations. They are expressions of identity. They are reminders that every municipality, every neighborhood, every family contributes to the unique thread to the fabric of Monroe County.”

After the unveiling, the keystones will be moved to their respective municipality offices to be put on display there.

Ancient, modern

Jane Mayhew MacHale, who painted the scenes on the keystone for Middle Smithfield Township, said, “There’s so many things that Middle Smithfield is known for.”

MacHale featured on her keystone several scenes from the mastodon found in a pond to a hazardous materials placard.

“We had to include ol’ Marshy there,” she said.

As for the hazmat placard, it turns out they exist because of an explosion that occurred in the township in the early 1960s. MacHale said a truck carrying dynamite exploded near a snake farm.

“We had poisonous snakes raining down,” she said. “You’ll have to read about that. Oh, my God, it was epic.”

The keystone also contains some less dramatic aspects of the township, such as a Native American in a canoe, fish, and a male heron presenting a branch to a female heron. She explained that if the female heron accepts the branch, then they will build a nest together.

MacHale was thrilled to have participated in the project.

“I’m hoping they display it where lots of people can see it,” she said.

Animals, buildings

Linda Stockman, who painted a keystone for Polk Township, is also the painter who decorated the Liberty Bell for Monroe County, which now sits on display at the Monroe County Historical Association.

Among the things she painted on her keystone, she said the red-tailed hawk was one of the first things she had to include.

“We have so many by us,” she said. The keystone also features a bear and a piebald deer.

“They’re my favorite,” Stockman said about the bear. “I love them. I get them in my yard all the time. The white piebald deer used to frequent my yard all the time. I haven’t seen him lately, but he lives up there on the mountain.” She named the deer Whitey.

“And then I did, of course, President James Polk, who the township was named after,” Stockman said.

Her keystone also includes the former Jonas Hotel, which is now part of the Valor Clinic Foundation, as well as the first school in Polk Township, a Lenape Native American, evergreen trees and the Jonas Creek flowing across the bottom.

“And then of course I did the beautiful Pocono fall foliage,” Stockman said. “It’s just so pretty. Everybody comes up here to look at the foliage.”

Creativity

The design of the keystones are as creative as the artists themselves. The one from Stroud Township is simply the scene of stream flowing beneath the shade of the forest, while the one from Tobyhanna Township is three-dimensional. A small train track and train are affixed to its surface, as well as golf tees, clothes pins and more. A narrative accompanying the keystone explains that it depicts the township’s railroad history, ice harvesting and recreational activities.

County Commissioner Sharon Laverdure, who lives in Smithfield Township, said in an interview, “I’m really glad that Smithfield Township tied in the Indians. It’s one of the earliest Native Americans sites in the Northeastern U.S.”

The top of the keystone starts with the Shawnee-Minisink archaeological site, which is located near the confluence of the Delaware River and Brodhead Creek. The site is nearly 13,000 years old.

The keystone also features the River Schoolhouse, the Shawnee Playhouse, which was Worthington Hall, and prominently states the township was incorporated in 1742.

Singer said in his speech, “From the earliest days of our nation, creativity has been woven into the American experience. Arts have documented our struggles, celebrated our triumphs, challenged us to grow, and helped us understand one another. … To everyone who contributed to the keystone project — artists, students, educators, municipal partners, volunteers and supporters — thank you. You have created something that honors our past, and reaches our present, and inspires our future.”

The municipalities and the artists of the keystones that were on display included:

• Boroughs — East Stroudsburg: Mia Meier, Hannah Rak, Haley Meinweiser and Jillian Pratt; and Mount Pocono: Giana Law and Mia Meier.

• Townships — Barrett: Tiveshe Patrick McDowald and Giana Law; Chestnuthill: Aida Weinstein; Coolbaugh: Ann Shincovich; Eldred: Bernadette Sabatini; Hamilton: Cindy Lou Morris; Middle Smithfield: Jane Mayhew MacHale; Paradise: Madalyn Minchhoff, Jowell Mauras Bidot and Payton Hoop; Pocono: Erika Trunzo, Giana Law and Mia Meier; Polk: Linda Stockman; Ross: Gary Embich; Smithfield: Emmit Derrick; Stroud: Tom Neiman; Tobyhanna: Gail Odonoghue and the art group; and Tunkhannock: Hailey Lopez.

Jackson and Price townships and Delaware Water Gap Borough also have keystones, but they were not ready for display on April 1. The unveiling for the Stroudsburg keystone will be at 1 p.m. April 19 at the Stroudsburg Municipal Building, 700 Sarah St., Stroudsburg.