WILLIAMSPORT- The December Coffee Hour at the Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society will be held on Thursday, December 8 at 10am. It will focus on the history of the L.L. Stearns Department Store, which flourished in downtown Williamsport from 1889 until 1984. Leading the conversation and reminiscences will be Cindy Stearns, direct descendant of founder L.L. Stearns, and several individuals who had long-time associations with the store including Paul Beiter, Pat Houser, and Ralph Lukens, Jr. Their stories are plentiful, but audience participation is encouraged. The talk is free and open to the public and coincides with the holiday exhibit, Shopping During the Holidays: The L.L. Stearns Department Store. The exhibit opens on Saturday, December 3 and continues through Saturday, January 21, 2023.
L.L. Stearns Department Store was a fixture in downtown Williamsport, offering five cent coffee, elevators with elevator operators, exotic animals including a mynah bird and cages of live parakeets, Russell Stover candy and homemade pies, special promotions including Deer Lonely Ladies, and an extended family of loyal employees.
Folks will want to come early for a special musical interlude as performed by the Williamsport Music Club. The music will begin at 9:30, preparing everyone for the holiday season ahead. The musical program is also free and open to the public. The museum is located at 858 West Fourth Street. Ample parking is available in the back of the museum or on the street. For further information, call 570.326.3326.