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Step Back in Time at Memorytown USA
Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania, Memorytown USA was once one of the most beloved family attractions in the Poconos. From the 1950s through the 1980s, this charming, Americana-themed village invites guests to step back into a bygone era, where front porch rockers, covered bridges, and old-time general stores brought simpler days to life.
There are so many people that visited and stayed at Memorytown USA. If you’re one of those people, we’d love to hear your memories in our comments section below. If you have any old photos you’d like to share, visit our Facebook Group page. It’s so funny that most of the images for this story came from postcards being offered on Ebay of all places. Go figure.
Memorytown wasn’t just a place to visit; it was a place to remember. Families strolled cobblestone streets lined with vintage storefronts, peeked inside the blacksmith shop, rode paddleboats across the tranquil pond, and enjoyed friendly farm animals at the petting zoo. A favorite stop for vacationers and day-trippers alike, it blended the charm of yesteryear with the joy of shared experiences. Whether you were savoring a slice of homemade pie at the country inn, watching the model railroad chug through a miniature town, or snapping photos beside a vintage fire engine, Memorytown made sure every moment felt like a snapshot taken from history.
Although the original Memorytown USA eventually faded into memory, its legacy endures. Today, the site has been beautifully reimagined as a rustic wedding and event venue, still echoing the warmth and nostalgia that made it a treasured stop for generations. For those lucky enough to have visited, Memorytown USA remains more than a place; it’s a fond memory etched in the heart of the Pocono Mountains.
There were so many things to see, but this place was different. It was like stepping back in time to a Pennsylvania version of Disneyland, with demonstrations, interactions, and participation that were all incredibly fun. If I remember correctly, Memorytown was the first place I ever saw a year-round Christmas store in the 1960s, a strange venue to see in the middle of summer.
One of the most incredible things I remember is when Mr. Asure built his indoor miniature circus. Why did he do it? From my perspective, he just loved making kids happy and sharing new ways to get them excited to come to Memorytown. He was so energized to do this. I’ll never forget the smile on his face when he showed it to us for the first time, just before he was about to share it with the public. I think he called it Circus Town at Memorytown USA.
In the golden years of the 1960s, the tranquil lodges of Mount Pocono were a favorite destination for newlyweds and families seeking respite from city life. Among these cherished spots stood the Paradise Valley Lodge, lovingly managed by Paul and Mae Asure. While much of the surrounding region was transforming into resort estates and seasonal homes, Paul and Mae offered something warmly personal: an inviting retreat nestled in nature, where kindness and calm defined every stay.
The Paradise Valley Lodge remains part of Pocono lore, a symbol of simpler times when small-scale hospitality and genuine connection left indelible impressions on hearts. Though the lodge has faded from the landscape, those who stayed there in the late 1950s and ’60s still speak of it as the quiet centerpiece of their fondest mountain memories today.
A guest from 1963 described a weeklong honeymoon at the lodge as an absolute delight.Warm hospitality, home-style dinners, hayrides, and cozy cottages. She noted how Paul and Mae made every visitor feel like part of their extended family, laying the foundation for memories that would last a lifetime.
The Asures became great friends with my parents. We would often visit, even when Memorytown was closed, only to have the Asures take us from their house on the property down his driveway into town. He would open up the Country Store for the kids, the candle shop for Mom, and the tavern for everyone to grab a bite to eat and drink. It was like we had the town to ourselves.
And how did we get all this VIP treatment? My dad and the Pocono Boathouse were the official pedalboat supplier to Memorytown and the Memorytown USA boathouse. Go figure. I guess pedal boats have their privileges.
Today, the site has been entirely reinvented as Memorytown Lakeside Inn & Cottages, a rustic-chic retreat that hosts weddings, events, and overnight stays in restored barns, cabins, and suites. The vintage charm remains in spirit, but the property has transitioned into a venue-driven destination focused on celebrations and retreats. These attractions created a themed, immersive experience for families, combining entertainment, nostalgia, and gentle education true to the mid-century resort culture of the Poconos.
Here are a few shots from the Memorytown USA website showcasing the reimagining of Memorytown as a place to make new memories, more tailored towards weddings and large gatherings in a beautiful mountain woodsy lake scene.
Post in the comments section below.
I decided to write these stories down because a friend of mine, with whom I grew up, now lives on Lake Naomi and still sends me photos of the Lake Naomi Club trophy case, where my name, along with my father’s and brothers’, lives on (Thanks, Sue). Thank you for allowing me to document this life experience for the record.
Brooks founded Mr. Local History and the Mr. Local History Project along with his wife, Jill. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and raised in Westfield, Brooks graduated from Westfield High School in 1980 and later from Bryant University. For over two decades, Brooks, along with his brother Brian and younger sister Cee Cee, spent their summers on Lake Naomi with their parents, Frank and Caryolyn Betz, who had lived on Canoe Brook Road since the mid-1960s.
He and his family owned the Pocono Boathouse (Pocono Pines, PA) and the Cranford Canoe Club in the 1960s through the 1990s.
There are likely many gaps in the history that I hope to fill, along with a return visit to Lake Naomi to reminisce and reflect on these stories. This story is part of a series dedicated to the history of Lake Naomi, Pocono Pines, and the memories of my family spending time together. Thanks for reading.
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I decided to write these stories down because a friend of mine, with whom I grew up, now lives on Lake Naomi and still sends me photos of the Lake Naomi Club trophy case, where my name, along with my father’s and brothers’, lives on (Thanks, Sue). Thank you for allowing me to document this life experience for the record.
Brooks founded Mr. Local History and the Mr. Local History Project along with his wife, Jill. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and raised in Westfield, Brooks graduated from Westfield High School in 1980 and later from Bryant University. For over two decades, Brooks, along with his brother Brian and younger sister Cee Cee, spent their summers on Lake Naomi with their parents, Frank and Caryolyn Betz, who had lived on Canoe Brook Road since the mid-1960s.
He and his family owned the Pocono Boathouse (Pocono Pines, PA) and the Cranford Canoe Club in the 1960s through the 1990s.
There are likely many gaps in the history that I hope to fill, along with a return visit to Lake Naomi to reminisce and reflect on these stories. This story is part of a series dedicated to the history of Lake Naomi, Pocono Pines, and the memories of my family spending time together. Thanks for reading.
