Our Story

From the beginning…

In 1892, Jacob Ottenheimer, an immigration agent for the Canadian Pacific Railroad, acquired 12,000 acres near Bushkill Falls in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. On this land, he established “Forest Park,” a luxurious summer resort catering to German-speaking Jewish people. Forest Park enjoyed prosperity until World War I, when anti-German sentiments and federal pressures compelled Arthur Lederer, Ottenheimer’s son-in-law, to sell the resort.

Unexpectedly, the new owners diverged from the expectations of Forest Park’s detractors. In 1919, Lederer sold the resort’s buildings, 750 acres, and a lake to Locals 22 and 25 of the Dress and Waistmakers’ Union, a union of Jewish garment workers from New York City. This purchase marked the birth of “Unity House,” envisioned as a hub for worker education and leisure activities.

Adjacent to Unity House, the People’s Educational Camp Society inaugurated Camp Tamiment, a summer retreat for additional New York City workers. Despite initial optimism, the Locals’ venture into managing a worker resort near affluent vacation homes faced challenges. Consequently, in 1924, they transferred ownership to the General Executive Board of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU), the largest women’s union in the United States.

Under the ILGWU’s stewardship, Unity House underwent significant enhancements, transforming into a “workers’ paradise.” Emphasizing the promotion of labor values over profits, the ILGWU expanded facilities, increased staff wages, and subsidized attendance to ensure affordability for members. Unity House flourished during the 1920s, offering a plethora of recreational activities, educational lectures, and cultural events.

The 1930s and 1940s witnessed further developments, with Unity House becoming a pivotal venue for union solidarity amid the Great Depression and World War II. Notable figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt and various politicians, visited the resort, affirming its significance within the labor movement.