Schools of Reading, PA and Berks County
Jenny Terry, a former slave, became the matriarch of a large and important family in Reading’s history. Jenny first arrived in the city with her nine children: Moses J., Johnson L., Charles L., Lee B., Frank, Andrew, Helen, Barbara, and Mary. Jenny had been [...]
During the demolition of the Girls' High School at the corner of 4th and Court Streets in September 1961, Peter Zuk, president of Zuk Lumber & Demolition Co., Inc. of Belvidere, N.J., whose business had been hired to tear down the old school, received [...]
By the beginning of the 20th century in Reading there was an urgent need for a Catholic secondary school. In order to meet the advanced academic needs of the Reading high school-age population, St. Peter High School was founded in 1911. St. Peter’s [...]
At the junction of Friedensburg Road and Old Spies Church Road, about a half-mile past the former Stony Creek Mills in Lower Alsace Township, stands an interesting stone structure that prior to enlargement had been a horse stable. Before that, it was Ancona’s [...]
Many of the new immigrants, particularly in the second half of the nineteenth century, were from Poland and were looking for a new land with religious and civil freedoms. Pennsylvania would be the land of opportunity for many immigrants, some of whom would [...]
The remodeling and retrofitting of the former CNA building at 401 Penn Street in downtown Reading has started. Alvernia University finalized the purchase of the building on June 30, 2020. Below: CNA building at 401 Penn Street in downtown Reading. Click images to [...]
Amid a great deal of controversy and opposition from a number of sources, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Reading Area Community College opened its doors for the first time on Oct. 13, 1971. Classes were held for the first time on October [...]
The cornerstone for the Lorane Elementary School building, Exeter Township, was laid during afternoon ceremonies on July 12, 1959. The new structure was built to relieve over-crowded conditions in both the elementary and high school buildings. Initially, it housed six sections of 7th [...]
Located off the northwest corner of Mull and Penn Avenue was an Octagon Schoolhouse - a true landmark in Sinking Spring. This building was built on the property where the Tulpehocken Welsh Baptist Church had been located along with a cemetery. This church, [...]
By the dawn of the 20th century Reading was undergoing notable industrial expansion. The lure of jobs brought significant population growth to the area. Among the newcomers were many Catholics. Monsignor George Bornemann of St. Paul’s Parish recommend to Edmund F. Prendergast, Archbishop of [...]
