Kathryn Villoresi founded the Ross Township Historical Society in October 2016. She and her husband had been living in Peckville but moved back to Ross Township to care for her ill mother.

“I saw a flier for the township’s bicentennial in 2017 and inquired for more information. But no one wanted to plan it. So I stepped up,” said Villoresi, president of the group.

On Election Day in November 2016, she set up an information table at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Saylorsburg, which was a local voting spot.

She recruited four or five people join her in the historical society. They had about a year to plan and promote the large-scale event.

“The bicentennial celebration was our first event. It was a great 200th birthday for the township and its residents,” she said.

Ross was formed in 1817 from a division of Chestnuthill Township and named after a prominent citizen, Judge John Ross of Easton. He later lived at one of the tour sites and is buried there.

“We have many more future events planned and we look forward to being able to serve our township,” Villoresi said. “We are putting together a 2020 Ross Township calendar highlighting the township’s historic buildings, and we are forming a historic property directory.”

For more information, visit http://rosstwppahs.wordpress.com.