President
Carla Smith
Carla Smith is a lifelong resident of Newfoundland and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2011, where she served as Vice President and currently serves as President. Carla Chairs the Fundraising Committee and the Publishing Committee. As Chair of the Technology Committee, she evaluates needs and brings recommendations to the Board concerning purchases of equipment and software. She assists with the Property Inventory Project, an ongoing effort to document the area’s historic homes and churches. She gives talks on local history, conducts workshops for WSES students during Local History Day tours, and writes articles for the Society’s newsletter, Echoes from the Greene Hills.
“I am a fifth generation resident of Greene Township, but my interest in genealogy and local history really peaked when I moved back into my childhood home. As a GDHS Board member I am able to help preserve the history of all local families for future generations.”
Vice-President
Susan Shaffer
Susan Shaffer has been a member of the Historical Society since 2023. She has served as a volunteer for various fundraising activities, including the pie sale at the July Open House and the plant sale at the Farmers Market. Susan was born in Newfoundland and has been a lifelong resident of the area. During her 25-year career in workforce and economic development, she has worked extensively with area individuals and organizations that are part of the GDHS network.
“I have always been interested in history, but who knew volunteering could be so much fun!”
Secretary
Tammie Crews
Tammie Crews is a native of Charleston, SC, and the newest member of the Board of Directors. She has taken on the position of GDHS secretary while undertaking the monumental job of restoring and renovating the historic Robacker/Burdick home on Main Street in Newfoundland. Tammie’s love of history grew from her family and her travels. She recalls, “When we went to the beach, I always wondered what was on the other side of the ocean. I wanted to see it for myself.” Tammie’s travel lust dovetailed with her 26-year military career in the US Army, Chaplain Corps, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Her interest in preserving local history heightened during her time in Charleston. “I have a great appreciation for historical architecture particularly of the 19th century,” she says. “This is why I bought my Newfoundland house and have tried to learn as much as I can about its history, physical structure, and the people who have lived there.
“I loved hearing my grandmothers tell stories about their lives as they were growing up in South Georgia. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Brown, 7th grade history teacher. So, I have been interested in history from an early age. My current passion is to restore my house of 1878 vintage and to preserve and add to its history. What has gone before matters as foundational for what is to be.”
Treasurer
Roger Altemier
Roger Altemier has been active member since 2005 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2024, where he now serves as Treasurer. When the Historical Society acquired Peggy Bancroft Hall in 2006, Roger made improvements to the 100-year-old building, including making it accessible. He oversaw the acquisition and placement of the outbuildings on the museum grounds and, more recently, designed and supervised the construction of the adjacent Agricultural Barn, including its expansion in 2024. He serves as Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee. Roger acts as docent for the Agricultural Barn, where he recently designed and installed an exhibit on the history of F.A. Madden & Son. He also works on cemetery restoration, repairing and re-setting tombstones in the abandoned cemeteries that GDHS maintains. Roger is a lifelong resident of the area and has lived in Greene Township since 1980. He is a volunteer fireman for 50 years, a member of the Newfoundland Rotary for 34 years and has served on the Greene Township Planning Commission for more than 30 years.
Directors
Ruth Altemier
Ruth Altemier resides in Greentown and has served on the Board of Directors since 2005, where she served as President and currently serves as Vice President. As Chair of the Genealogy & Cemeteries Committee, she oversees the Adopt-A-Cemetery Program, conducts genealogy workshops, and coordinates annual fundraising events for the Cemetery Preservation Fund. She manages the Property Inventory Project, an ongoing effort to document the area’s historic homes and churches. As a member of the Program Committee, she coordinates special events, such as local history bus tours. She is the co-author of a book on local cemeteries and has written articles on early settlers for the Society’s newsletter, Echoes from the Greene Hills.
“I believe in the saying ‘You won’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you came from.’ I find genealogy fascinating. It has led me to the preservation of the cemeteries, to honor those who led the way to where we are today. The world moves so fast that it is easy to not look around and appreciate our world. I feel the work that our GDHS members do is preserving the past for the future.”
Kathy Simmonds
Kathy Simmonds has been a member of the Historical Society since 2017 and a resident of the community since 2016. Having a strong interest in local history wherever she has lived, Kathy was introduced to the Society by a friend and fellow member shortly after moving to the area. She has served as a volunteer at the Open House in July, the annual Jam & Jelly Day in October, the GDHS booth at the GDS Fair, and for the bi-annual Road Cleanup.
“Who knew history could be so much fun?”
Suzanne Urton
Suzanne Urton resides in Salem Township and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2019. As Chair of the Collections Committee, Suzanne serves as the Museum Curator responsible for implementing the Society’s collections policy. She catalogs artifacts and archival records in the museum database and guides volunteers in collections care, including the organization, preservation, storage and security of the items. Suzanne is responsible for the design and installation of displays that showcase our permanent collections and tell the story of our early settlement. She serves as a museum docent and leads tours for visitors of all ages, including student field trips. She has conducted workshops on dying wool with natural plants, wool spinning and weaving.
“I enjoy doing research and finding out new things about the area and the people who lived here, documenting that history through our museum collections and bringing it to life in our displays and exhibits.”
Directors Emeritae
Bernadine Lennon
Bernadine Lennon resides in Greentown and served as Board Treasurer from 2008 to 2025, when she was appointed Director Emerita. Bernadine continues to serve as Chair of the Program Committee, and for the past several years she has planned and organized the Local History Seminar, as series of talks by historians on the history of the Pocono Mountain region. She manages the GDHS Veteran’s History Project and is the former editor of the Society’s quarterly newsletter for 12 years. She has given numerous presentations on local history, some of which can be seen on the Society’s YouTube channel. She is the author of books and articles on local history and contributes regularly to the “Stories from the Past” section of the Society’s quarterly newsletter, Echoes From the Greene Hills.
“I enjoy discovering ‘old facts’ that have been forgotten over time and, through research and writing, increasing the community’s awareness of them.”
Diane Smith
Diane Smith resides in Bethlehem and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2010. She was appointed Director Emerita in 2024. She serves on the Publishing and Technology Committees and manages the Society’s website. As a member of the Collections Committee, Diane curates the Society’s photographic collection. She has authored books and given presentations on local history, and was editor of The Greene Hills of Home, the Society’s quarterly journal for 13 years until 2023.
“After I retired I joined the Historical Society, and reconnecting with old friends and making new ones has been very rewarding.“