History came alive Saturday during the Carbon County History Fair at the Carbon Plaza Mall, Lehighton.

The Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance hosted the event in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America this year.

A variety of historical societies, organizations, collectors, and more had tables and displays set up the entire length of the mall.

Remembering and learning about the history of the area is something everyone needs to do, according to Todd Weaver, head of the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance.

“There is the phrase, ‘Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it,’ ” Weaver said. “It’s not just that; there are so many important and interesting things that happened in the area. We’re trying to make sure to have all this available to the younger generation.”

Various historical groups like the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance, The Lansford Historical Society, The No. 9 Coal Mine from Lansford, the Mauch Chunk Museum, the Summit Hill Historical Society, and the Weatherly Area Museum had displays set up showing some of the artifacts of earlier days including photographs, maps, advertising items, old currency, and more.

Local historian and former Lehighton High School Gordon Ripkey had some of his personal collection on display.

“My assistant principal from Lehighton, Mike Ebbert, showed me his postcard collection one day, and that set it off for me,” Ripkey said.

“For me, it was a lot of things that got me into this. It was local history; my uncle bottled Moxie; I worked on a milk truck when I was young, so I had milk bottles; I went to Penn State, so I had Penn State items. My basement looked like a museum.”

Part of Ripkey’s collection included very old currency such as several denominations of bank notes issued by the First National Bank of Lehighton, the Citizens National Bank and Trust Company of Lehighton, the Weissport National Bank, and the Mauch Chunk National Bank.

Other historical items on display included a group of vintage school records from Shull David, First Ward, and Third Ward Schools form the 1950s and 1960s, on the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance Display.

The No. 9 Museum of Lansford had old hats, lanterns, lights, and various signs from the mine. There were old photographs, calendars, advertising items for long-gone businesses, old cans and boxes of food and medicinal items, and so much more.

America250 Carbon County had a table with items to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Most area communities are planning parades, picnics, historical events, and more to celebrate.

For a list of America250 events, visit the official website hosted by the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau, at: https://www.poconomountains.com/america250pa/carbon-county/