City Hall (Reading, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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City Hall
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Reading City Hall, April 2011
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 8th & Washington Sts., Reading, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 6.3 acres (2.5 ha) |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Davis & Davis |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003760 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1982 |
City Hall in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a really important building. It's where the city's leaders work and make decisions. This grand building wasn't always a city hall, though! It started its life as a high school for boys.
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What is Reading City Hall?
Reading City Hall is a historic building in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It's a large, impressive structure that helps the city run smoothly. Imagine a place where all the important city business happens – that's City Hall!
From School to City Hall
This building has an interesting past. It was built in 1904 and first opened its doors as a high school just for boys. Can you imagine going to school in a building that's now a city hall?
After many years, in 1928, the building got a new purpose. It was changed from a school into the city hall. This means it became the main office for the city government.
A Look at the Building's Style
Reading City Hall is a three-story building, plus a basement. It's made from strong granite and gray brick. The building is designed in a style called Beaux Arts. This style is known for being very grand and fancy, often looking like old Roman or Greek buildings.
You can see special decorative parts made from terra cotta. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay used for decoration. The building is quite large, measuring about 210 feet long and 201 feet wide.
Why is it a Special Building?
Reading City Hall is considered very important because of its history and beautiful design. In 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government.
Being on this list means a building is recognized as a significant historical place. It helps protect the building and makes sure it's kept safe for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
What Does a City Hall Do?
A city hall is like the main office for a city. It's where the mayor and other city leaders work. They make decisions about things like roads, parks, public safety, and how the city's money is spent. Citizens can also go to City Hall for things like getting permits or paying taxes. It's a central place for the community.
