Historical Society of Berks County facts for kids

The Historical Society of Berks County (HSBC) started in 1869. It runs the Berks History Center, which is a museum and a library in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Society's main goal is to share the special history and culture of Berks County. They save old items and stories to help everyone learn about the past.

The Historical Society keeps many historical items in its museum. They also have a library called the Henry Janssen Library. More than 10,000 people visit each year. The Society teaches students from local schools. Researchers from all over the country also come to learn here.

Explore the Berks History Center Museum

The Berks History Center is located at 940 Centre Ave, Reading, PA. The museum has a huge collection of over 20,000 historical items. You can see amazing artworks by artists like Ben Austrian and Jack Coggins. Other artists include Ralph D. Dunkelberger, G.B. Kostenbader, Earle Poole, E.S. Reeser, Christopher Shearer, Victor Shearer, and Frederick Spang.

Discover Old Transportation

The museum also has a large collection of old vehicles. This includes bicycles and a very rare horse-drawn streetcar. You can also see a Conestoga Wagon and an old Duryea automobile. Some of these cool vehicles are on display at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles in Boyertown, PA.

Special Exhibits to See

Besides its regular collection, the museum often has new exhibits. They host up to three temporary exhibits every year. These special shows bring new stories and items for visitors to enjoy.

Visit the Henry Janssen Library

The Henry Janssen Library is at 160 Spring Street, Reading, PA. This library is the main place for finding out about family history and local history in Berks County. Many people say it has one of the best collections of county information in Pennsylvania.

Library Hours and Access

The library is open from Wednesday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 3 PM. If you are a member of the Historical Society, you can use the library for free. Non-members pay a small fee of $7 per day. Children under 18 need to be with an adult to visit the library.

What You Can Find in the Library

The library has many different types of historical records. You can find books about local family histories and the history of the area. There are also special Pennsylvania German folk art documents called Fraktur. You can look at old newspapers from as far back as 1796.

Other items include old maps, city directories from 1856, and census records. There are also plans for the Schuylkill Navigation Company and Union Canal. You can even find tax records from 1753. The library has many resources to help you research your family tree, including church and cemetery records from the 1730s. You can also use computer databases on their website to start your research.

If you can't visit in person, the library also offers research services for a fee.

History of the Society

The idea for the Historical Society of Berks County began in July 1869. People wanted to gather and save the history of Berks County. After their first meeting in August, the Society officially started on December 13, 1869. The first president was William M. Hiester.

Growth and New Buildings

The Society grew over time. In 1898, Albert G. Green helped bring new energy to the group. They started collecting historical items in June 1898. Their first building was bought in June 1904 at 519 Court Street. At that time, they had 150 members.

The Society quickly needed a bigger space. The cornerstone for their current building was placed in the summer of 1928. The building was finished in 1929. It was designed by Charles H. Muhlenberg to be fireproof and protect the collections. This building opened on October 1, 1929, at 940 Centre Avenue in Reading, PA.

Expanding for the Future

In the 1980s, the Society needed more space for offices, displays, and storage. They raised money for a new addition, which opened in 1988. This new part gave the library its own dedicated space for research and storage.

Later, in 2000, the Society got its first off-site property, the Hendel House. This house was sold in 2016. In 2005, the Society bought the former M&T Bank building at 160 Spring Street. This building is right behind the main museum. After many updates, it opened as The Henry Janssen Library on November 11, 2008.

See also

• List of historical societies in Pennsylvania