Valhalla is the Alden Family’s Historic Cabin in the Poconos.
A place to unwind and celebrate family.
FISH
BOAT
RELAX
The Story of Valhalla
Valhalla was built in the summer of 1936 by Rev. Karl Alden, a minister of the New Church (Swedenborgian) with his wife, Ersa Smith Alden, their six sons, Guy (19), Gideon (18), Theodore (17), Robert (16), Karl (14), John (10), and three daughters, Jean (13), Greta (8) and Ersa (4). They had professional help and guidance from Pete Cooper, a carpenter, but every member of the family helped as they were able.
Rev. Alden was headmaster of his denomination’s Boys’ School, at the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, PA. He and his wife were, in addition to raising nine children, house parents of the Boys’ Dormitory which housed boarding students of a high school age from several countries. As headmaster, he was beloved and influential in the lives of a generation of students and many other people of all ages reached by his pastoring. But by 1936, after well over a decade as headmaster, he was finding a need for occasional respite from the responsibilities he felt so strongly. For several years, he and his family had camped in the woods during the summer, remote, but not far from his Bryn Athyn home and the school.
In time it seemed desirable to find a vacation refuge which was not quite so accessible. He had heard of Lake Wallenpaupack, some 110 miles away in the Poconos of Northeast Pennsylvania, which had been created in the Wallenpaupack Creek Valley for electricity generation not many years before and was a beautiful, scenic body of water. With the generous gift of $1,000 from an appreciative parishioner, he and Ersa were able to buy a piece of land on a hillside on the lakeshore as well as the materials for a cabin and the help of Carpenter Pete Cooper and even the legendary stone mason, George Gumble about whom we’ll tell you more later.
As soon as school was out, the family, quite used to camping, set up tents on the steep terrain, for sleeping and kitchen functions, and built a temporary outhouse. They began construction, starting with much pick and shovel work for the excavation. As the structure emerged, logs of chestnut, now extinct, were hunted in the surrounding forests and fashioned into the beams, posts and banisters which have given the cabin so much of its charm for over 70 years. The fireplace, too, is an outstanding contributor to that charm. Built with native stone by George Gumble it is an example of wholly natural stone construction which his grand nephew, Wayne Coutts, also a mason, says is a virtually lost art today! Tradition has it that the keystone bridging the hearth, an immense piece, was lifted into place by Mr. Gumble unassisted, as was the great oak log mantelpiece. Mr. Gumble is said, by those who remember, to have had very large, strong hands. Examples of his work can be seen around the Paupack community.
The older Alden boys were soon taken up with other adult responsibilities, but the Aldens with their younger children spent summers at the Lake. As World War II came along all six sons eventually entered military service. Carefully saving rationed gasoline, the Aldens were able to continue summering there and, like so many people, had a victory garden in borrowed meadowland up the hill. They anxiously awaited the letters from their sons. After the war, grandchildren came along, and Grandma Alden gave hospitality to various growing family units. Grandpa took a number of weeks each year during this time to serve as a traveling pastor to church members in the Canadian Northwest. A very gregarious man, he would travel with his violin and cheer people with his music whenever he got a chance as well as endearing himself to grateful parishioners with his religious services and teaching about the Swedenborgian doctrines. He loved this work, and Ersa supported him all the way, but was certainly glad to have him return to her at the Lake!
The Aldens’ children all married and presented them eventually with 50 grandchildren and later, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Many have experienced happy times with Karl and Ersa at the Lake fishing and boating with Grandpa, hours of swimming, wonderful mealtimes and visiting on the terrace or before a welcoming hearth in winter, singing in the parlor or when doing the dishes or going to sleep as children to the melodious strains of Grandpa’s violin accompanied by Grandma’s piano.
When Karl, and several years later, Ersa, passed on, they left the cottage to all their nine children. Now, any of their descendants or their spouses is eligible to own shares in the property and many do as members of the Alden Family Trust. The family works together harmoniously to maintain the place so that they and their children can enjoy it and continue the happy traditions of hospitality which have been provided to so many family and friends over the years. It was decided to make the cottage available for rental outside the family during the prime summer months to help support the cottage and to offer to others the pleasure which the family has enjoyed so much.
Karl and the Chipmunk
Getting Here and Other Key Info
Just two hours from New York or Philadelphia, and less than 10 miles from Interstate 84.
See this on Google Maps® and get directions
Address
107 Pellet Rd, Paupack, PA 18451.
This is the correct address for calling 911.
In Degrees, Minutes (dd mm.mmm) This is the best format for Google Maps®
N41° 24.1418', W75° 14.6165'
EMAIL
Rental requests/bookings
Dirk: dirkodhner@odhnerandodhner.com
For all manager emails
valhallamanagers@gmail.com (copied to the entire management group)
Accounting, Membership
manager@aldensvalhalla.com
PHONE
(610) 258-7200 (Dirk & Kate)
(484) 680-2460 (Rachel) / (215) 370-2920 (Michael)
Local Airports
Wilkes-Barre Scranton International (45 miles)
Lehigh Valley International (65 miles)
Weather
Things to Do At Valhalla
The Poconos have long been the vacation spot for those fleeing the confines of New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Once known as the "honeymoon capital of the world," the Poconos today are a great spot for anyone, including honeymooners, seeking a relaxing stay or an active vacation. The area is chock full of historical places to visit and local activities to participate in. The region has over 2400 square miles of lakes, rivers, mountains, streams, and forests that provide ample opportunity for active endeavors. A day in the Poconos can include hiking, water skiing, snow skiing, kayaking, canoeing, golfing, swimming, parasailing, fishing, sailing, snowmobiling, bicycling, and just about any other activity one can imagine!
Some of the local yearly EvenTS
Fall Arts & Crafts Fair
Summer Arts & Crafts Fair
Hawley Harvest Hoedown
Annual Ice Tee Golf Tournament
Annual Chili & Hot Wings Cook Off
Fireworks Display over Lake Wallenpaupack
Train Show
Young People's Heritage Festival
Other Activities
Boating
Fishing
Water Skiing
Skiing (5 miles) - Less than an hour to most the Pocono's best resorts
Golf - More than 20 courses within 20 miles
Grocery Store (6 miles)
Horseback Riding
Medical Facilities (3 miles)
Hospital (18 miles)