DEL. WATER GAP – On Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m., the Walpack historical Society will present Kathleen Sandt speaking on “Messages on Postcards – History of the Past.” Sandt is a park ranger at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. She collects old postcards from the 70,000 acres where the Recreation Area is today, not so much for their pictures, but for the stories hidden in the message sections of the cards.

On May 1, 1893, twenty years after penny postcards were introduced, congress allowed pictures on the front of government-issued postcards. At first, messages had to be written on the front, underneath or beside the picture. In March, 1907, the government authorized the divided-back postcards used today. Sandt says the messages reveal what people did for recreation in the area up to 100 years ago, and that in some regards, recreation is remarkably the same today. Those attending the meeting are invited to bring and show their old postcards of the area.

The meeting is free, the public is invited, and the meeting takes place at the Walpack M.E. Church, Main Street, Walpack Center, within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The Walpack Historical Society opens the Van Campen Inn, Old Mine Road, Walpack Township, and the Rosenkrans Museum, Walpack Center, for guided tours Sundays 1-5 p.m. as volunteers are available.

The Society operates under agreement with the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. For further information call 973-948-4903.