Reading, Pennsylvania, often overshadowed by larger neighboring cities, has a vibrant history, rich culture, and many reasons to be proud. Located in Berks County, Reading has grown from an industrial powerhouse to a diverse, resilient community with a wealth of achievements in the arts, [...]
October marks the start of Italian Heritage Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the vast contributions that Italian Americans have made to the United States. From rich cultural traditions to monumental achievements in art, science, and politics, this month provides an [...]
William Penn wooed and won people from their troubled homes in the Palatinate and Upper Rhine in the middle of the 17th century. Since then, the Pennsylvania Dutch have been known for their love of good food, their large tables, and the heartiness [...]
By MaryBeth. Thank you for creating GoReadingBerks, one of my go-to websites when I need a dose of hometown nostalgia. Like you, I have fond memories of growing up in Reading. My memories include: being eye level with cases full of Pennsylvania Dutch [...]
Everything could be bought in that 400 block, from food to a diamond, from tires to a clock. Below: 400 block of Penn Street. North Side. First there was Kins for fine ladies to shop, and Pep Boys and Charles Auto Took good [...]
The iron industry had early development in Berks County. During the eighteenth century it steadily grew in importance; and in 1835 the extensive Reading Iron Works were established. This together with the building of canals drew here a large number of Irish settlers. [...]
When Woolworth's declared bankruptcy back in 1997, it marked the symbolic end of an era when beloved "five and dime" stores could be found in every big city and small town in America. Woolworth's, Kresge’s, Grant's, McCrory’s, and Green’s were all once a [...]
Oling, Tulpewihaci, Gokhosing, Machsithanne! Some foreign language? Not at all. These are native American Indian words which Berks County has adopted as place names. Oley, Tulpehocken, Cacoosing, and Maxatawny! To the Indian the first word meant: a place surrounded by hills; the second, [...]
In the golden days of Reading we got used to the idea that we were living in a good old town. Whenever a native went sojourning to some near distant place like Philly or New York or north to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, whenever [...]
In 1914, the youth group of First Baptist Church, Reading, began the annual Easter Dawn Service on top of Mount Penn, Reading. Below: Easter Dawn Service at the Reading Pagoda, 1914. The first service was held at the Pagoda, drawing several hundred people [...]
