Architectural & social history of Wilkes-Barre

Every old house in the Diamond City has a story. We tell their story.

Since 2003 the Preservation Society has led architectural walking tours, saved the city’s oldest house from demolition, sparked the Irem Temple Restoration Project, lectured on local history and documented the architecture that makes Wilkes-Barre what it is.

Join for $40 a year See upcoming tours
The white clapboard Zebulon Butler House on South River Street, with a brick chimney, flag bunting, and a sign reading Oldest House in Wilkes-Barre, Under Restoration
The Zebulon Butler House, built 1793 — the oldest house in Wilkes-Barre.

Next event

Sixth Annual Preservation Awards

This year honoring the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts for its recent restoration, on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 5:00–7:00 pm · light refreshments & cocktails F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square

Includes a behind-the-scenes tour. RSVP by October 26 — call or text 570-793-3631. Tickets also available at the door.

Get tickets · $50 $100 ticket + Patron Membership Sponsorships from $250 About the awards & past honorees
Black-and-white photograph of the Butler House with dark shutters and a vine-covered front porch, an early automobile at the edge of the frame
The house in 1910, with its vine-covered porch.
The Butler House before restoration, with peeling paint, green shutters and a window air conditioner
Before — as the Society found it.
The restored Butler House in fresh white paint, with wreaths in every window
After — restored and dressed for the holidays.

The Zebulon Butler House Museum

Saved from demolition in 2017. Now becoming a museum.

Built in 1793 around parts of a 1773 log cabin, the house sheltered four generations of the Butler family from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. We are restoring it to the Federal period of the 1810s–1820s to tell the story of Wilkes-Barre’s journey from village to borough.

Restoration progress

DONEExterior restored and painted; roof watertight; basement dry
DONEFront porch restored; new landscaping planted
UNDERWAYInterior stripped to original floors and walls; public restroom in design
NEXTFurnishing the rooms in the Federal style
Support the restoration Donate a Federal-period piece

Explore Wilkes-Barre with us

About the Society
The blue and gold Pennsylvania state historical marker for Wilkes-Barre

Video series

Diamond City: Trail of History

Architectural and social history tours hosted by Tony Brooks, filmed by Jonathan Edwards of 570 Drone.

 Cover of Great Historic Houses of Wilkes-Barre: an aerial view of a stone château-style mansion with the downtown skyline behind

Book · Coming soon

Great Historic Houses of Wilkes-Barre

A coffee-table book of 100 historic houses by Anthony T. P. Brooks. Foreword by Lawrence Newman; photography by Jonathan Edwards.

 Tony Brooks speaking to a tour group on the steps of the First Presbyterian Church

Walking tours

Downtown Architectural Tours

The mansions, churches and civic landmarks of the River Street Historic District. Next tour: Saturday, May 29, 2027.

 Looking up into the painted dome and stained-glass skylight of the Luzerne County Court House

Group tours

Luzerne County Court House

Marble halls, mosaic portraits and a painted dome. Tours arranged for groups.

 A large tour group gathered among the monuments of Hollenback Cemetery, listening to a guide beside a columned mausoleum

Walking tours

Hollenback Cemetery Tours

Social history among the founders, soldiers and coal barons of the Wyoming Valley. Next tour: Saturday, May 29, 2027.

 The gilded Art Deco lobby of the F.M. Kirby Center, with an octagonal coffered ceiling and red-carpeted staircases

Annual event

Preservation Awards

Recognizing owners, builders and neighbors who keep Wilkes-Barre’s architecture alive.

Two decades of saving Wilkes-Barre

2003

Founded; first Victorian holiday tours of the downtown mansions.

2016

A public meeting sparks the Irem Temple Restoration Project.

2017

The Zebulon Butler House is saved from demolition.

2020

Diamond City: Trail of History launches on YouTube.

2022

Work begins on Great Historic Houses of Wilkes-Barre.

É

Why the accent?

In 1829, George M. Hollenback asked his Philadelphia printer to put an accent on the é in Barré on the Wyoming Bank’s new notes — a nod to Col. Isaac Barré, half of our city’s namesake. The é became as beloved as the beehive and the “Diamond City” nickname. We’re bringing it back.

Read the full story

Join the Society

Annual membership is $40. Any gift over $40 enrolls you as a member automatically. Members keep the tours running and the Butler House restoration moving.

Become a member · $40/year Make a donation

Prefer a check? Mail it to the Zebulon Butler House, 313 South River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.