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WYOMING — A historic landmark in the borough opened its doors Saturday to welcome fall, as well as local residents.
The Swetland Homestead held it second annual Fall Fest, complete with a chicken barbecue, Victorian Era children’s games and activities, house tours and a re-enactment of the Wyoming Battle.
The house, which is a part of the Luzerne County Historical Society, was opened to guided tours throughout the day.
Mark Riccetti Jr., director of operations for the society, said that the day allows for community members to learn about local history.
“We’ve had people stop by who said they lived here all their lives, driving past (the house) everyday and never learning about it,” he said. “This gives the community a way to celebrate the coming of fall and helps educate the community about Swetland.”
The Swetland family purchased the plot of land where the home stands in the 1760s, with the oldest part of the house dating back to 1803.
Over the years, the house was expanded — handed down from father to son — until William Swetland completed the final expansion.
Riccetti said that William Swetland was a local businessman who was very involved in the areas of Wyoming and Forty Fort, playing roles in historic landmarks such as the Wyoming Monument and Forty Fort meeting house.
Inside, guides dressed in Victorian Era clothing led groups through the main sections of the home. Guide Nancy Lychos was clad in an Victorian maid’s dress and matching white bonnet as she spoke about some key pieces of the home.
“Everything in the house is from the era, or are original pieces from the Swetland family,” she said.
Lychos spoke about the history of specific pieces, such as an tall case clock, paintings and furniture made of horse hair.
The Swetland house will participate with the Denninson House in Wyoming for various Halloween events at the end of the month.
