Berkley Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Berkley Historic District
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Section of Snyder Rd. bet PA 61 and Berkley Rd., Ontelaunee Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000892 |
| Added to NRHP | August 22, 2002 |
The Berkley Historic District is a special area in Ontelaunee Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. It's like a time capsule! This district is recognized as a national historic place because it has many old and important buildings. These buildings show us what life was like long ago, between 1758 and 1856.
This district includes 14 important buildings. They are part of four main properties in the small community of Berkley. Some of the most famous buildings are the Francis Parvin Homestead, the Davies House, the Roberta and Richard Schmehl House, and the Dunkle House.
Contents
What is the Berkley Historic District?
A historic district is a special area with many old buildings. These buildings are important because they show history. The Berkley Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it is recognized as a place worth protecting.
The district covers about 5 acres (2.0 ha) of land. It includes buildings that were built over a long period. This period stretches from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. The buildings show different styles of architecture from those times.
Key Buildings in the District
The Berkley Historic District is made up of four main properties. Each property has one or more important buildings. These buildings help tell the story of the area.
- The Francis Parvin Homestead
- The Davies House
- The Roberta and Richard Schmehl House
- The Dunkle House
The Francis Parvin Homestead
The Francis Parvin Homestead is a very old property. Its main house, called the Parvin House, was built in 1758. It was later made bigger in 1856. This house is two and a half stories tall. It has five sections across the front. A front porch was added around 1880.
The homestead also includes an old barn. This barn was built around 1800. The Parvin family was very active in the local Quaker community. It is thought that their property might have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network. It helped enslaved people find freedom before the American Civil War.
Other Important Houses
The Davies House was built around 1770. It is so important that it is listed separately as a historic place.
The Roberta and Richard Schmehl House is another old building. It was built around 1754 and then updated in 1830. This house shows the Georgian style of architecture. The Dunkle House was built around 1830. It also adds to the historic feel of the district.
Architecture Styles
The buildings in the Berkley Historic District show two main styles of architecture. These are Georgian and Federal styles.
- Georgian style: This style was popular in the 1700s. Buildings are often very balanced and symmetrical. They have a formal look.
- Federal style: This style became popular after the American Revolution. It often has more decorative details than Georgian. It still keeps a sense of balance.
These styles help us understand how buildings were designed long ago. They also show how building styles changed over time.
