Jim Thorpe, PA – On September 11, 2026 the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center is proud to present the Grand Opening of a new exhibit celebrating the museum’s founder and champion of all things Jim Thorpe, John Drury. John, along with his wife, Janet, moved to the burgeoning town from Philadelphia in 1975. He fell in love with the architecture, history and, of course, the people of the revitalized Carbon County borough.

In the 1970s and 80s Drury completed numerous projects in the area, including purchasing 100 acres above Mauch Chunk Lake for the Boy Scouts and family to camp on, acquiring the New American Hotel and renaming it The Inn at Jim Thorpe and purchasing the former St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and, with the help of many locals, reimagining the historic building at The Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. John Drury, who died in 2025, was an instrumental figure in preserving the history of Mauch Chunk and Jim Thorpe for posterity and advancing his beloved community into the future.

“John’s legacy is that of a man who rebuilds, who has hope against all odds, who persevered when all hope seemed lost, but who built hope that shines for all to see,” says Ibiyinka Alao, current president of the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center.

Join us at 41 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe 18229 on September 11, 2026 for the Grand Opening of our new exhibit celebrating John Drury’s life and legacy, Drury’s Dream: A Retrospective of a Small-Town Entrepreneur. Tour the museum free of charge and enjoy speakers and light refreshments from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m..

Learn more about the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center at https://mauchchunkmcc.org/.

Information provided to TVL by:
Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation