Sigal Museum to Host Publisher Al Kratzer for a Program on the Last Days of the Newspaper in Easton, PA – October 11, 2025

Easton, PA — October 1, 2025 — What is at stake when a beloved, centuries-old local newspaper ceases print editions? How does the transition to an online-only platform impact advertisers, revenue streams, and the community reader base? What does it mean for the reporters and editors who have dedicated their lives to their craft, now no longer numbering in the dozens but reduced to a handful in today’s newsrooms?

Join Eastonian Al Krazter—cartoonist, creative director, and publisher—for a brief history of The Express-Times, the inside scoop on the business side of running a newspaper, and, in his words, “how it all went to hell and the fight to survive.”

This program is part of a larger conversation surrounding Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society’s new special exhibition, Read This! The History of Media in Northampton County, on view at the Sigal Museum. The exhibition explores how newspapers, radio, television, and digital platforms have shaped the ways Northampton County residents received, shared, and understood information over more than 250 years.

“Al Kratzer’s program shines a light on the profound changes local newspapers have undergone and the impact those changes have had on our community,” notes Executive Director Megan van Ravenswaay. “His personal stories connect us to a time when newspapers were the heartbeat of Easton, and they challenge us to consider the future of local news in a digital age. We’re proud to offer this program as part of our ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing the rich media history of Northampton County.”

The Read This! exhibition will remain on view through July 4, 2026, as part of the region’s Lehigh Valley 250 commemoration. It is made possible through the generous support of: Brown-Daub Family of Dealerships, County of Northampton, Crayola, LLC, Garofalo Real Estate, and additional partners, with research support provided by local historians and community contributors.

What: “Hey! Where’s My Paper?” An Eyewitness Account of the Last Days of the Newspaper in Easton, PA

Where: Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton Street, Easton, PA

When: Saturday, October 11, 1 p.m.

Admission: $10 Adults (museum admission included) | Free for NCHGS Members. No registration is required.

For more information, please visit www.sigalmuseum.org.

About the Sigal Museum and NCHGS:

The Sigal Museum, operated by the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, is a premier destination for exploring local history, culture, and heritage. Through exhibitions, programs, and collections, NCHGS works to preserve and share the stories of Northampton County for future generations.

Information provided to TVL by:
Megan van Ravenswaay
Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society