The socialist movement in Reading, Pennsylvania, from 1896 to 1958, stands as a remarkable chapter in American political history. Unlike the broader national Socialist Party of America (SPA), which struggled to gain traction, Reading’s Socialist Party carved out a stronghold, achieving significant electoral [...]
For over a century, the Home for Widows and Single Women stood as a symbol of compassion and care in Reading, providing a safe haven for elderly women in need. Established in 1875, the home was founded by a group of concerned citizens [...]
Monsignor John J. Grabish has devoted over five decades to serving the Catholic Church and its communities, embodying a life of faith, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. From his ordination in 1972 to his present role as pastor of St. [...]
As more cities and states across the U.S. adopt Indigenous Peoples' Day in place of Columbus Day, a national conversation is taking shape about how to reconcile two different but equally important narratives of American history. On one hand, Indigenous Peoples' Day represents [...]
Theodore Ignatius Heizmann began the construction of St. Cecilia's Chapel in 1892-1893 in memory of his mother, Mary Cecilia Heizmann. Theodore Ignatius Heizmann was born in Reading Dec. 14, 1838. He attended the private schools of the city and later Mount St. Mary’s College, [...]
Special contribution by Local Historian "Sharon Merolli." The following is a description of the first and only parade of the Mummers’ Association in Reading on January 1, 1908, from various news articles by the Reading Eagle and Reading Times. On a crisp and [...]
In 1684, Berks County was exclusively inhabited by the Lenape Indians, who were an indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands region in the United States and Canada. The Lenape were also known as the Lenni Lenape and Delaware people. Their ancestral homeland included [...]
A recent post by GoReadingBerks on Facebook sparked the interest of the public and attracted the attention of Reading City Council as to the status of repairs to Reading's Pagoda. The iconic building on Duryea Drive has been closed since the start of [...]
In 1815 two Reading businessmen, Charles Kessler and John Spade, erected a substantial stone factory at the lower approach to the Rosenthal or Rose Valley glen which stretches between present day Egelman’s Park and Pendora Park. The glen is formed by the depression [...]
The first industries in Muhlenberg Township developed in Temple. The Mount Laurel Furnace for the manufacture of iron began in 1836 on Mount Laurel Road. Built in 1836 by John Bertolet, Mayberry Bertolet and Francis Palm, Mount Laurel typified the small, standard charcoal [...]
