G. R. Kinney Shoe Store, Reading, PA
George Romanta Kinney founded the shoe company, G.R. Kinney & Co., Inc. in 1894 in Waverly, New York. His story [...]
First Public “Colored School” in Reading, PA
Jenny Terry, a former slave, became the matriarch of a large and important family in Reading’s history. Jenny first arrived [...]
Big Spring Farm, Robesonia, PA
Photos by Gress Photography. Big Spring Farm is on Route 422 east of Conrad Weiser High School. The farm is [...]
St. Cecilia’s Memorial Chapel, Reading, PA
Theodore Ignatius Heizmann began the construction of St. Cecilia's Chapel in 1892-1893 in memory of his mother, Mary Cecilia Heizmann. [...]
Hotel Junction, Pennsylvania Trust Co., Flowers by Helen Heck, Ollie’s Cocktail Lounge, Idaho Spud Bar, and Gift Sisters School of Dance
The triangular-shaped building at the intersection of 8th and 9th streets was once known as the Flatiron Building, although its [...]
The Hazing Death of William Lee Terry, Reading High School’s First Black Graduate
On Wednesday morning, June 25, 1884, the Latin word "In limine" was placed above the stage at Reading's Grand Opera [...]
Saving a Sculptured Head from the former Girls’ High School
During the demolition of the Girls' High School at the corner of 4th and Court Streets in September 1961, Peter [...]
C. K. Whitner’s Department Store and the Southwest Corner of Fifth and Penn Streets
Whitner's Department Store has a rich history, beginning in 1877 when Calvin K. Whitner, a farmer-turned-storekeeper, opened his first [...]
City’s “Gate” sculpture by Robinson Fredenthal
The "Gate" is an outdoor metal sculpture by Robinson Fredenthal, commissioned by the Reading Redevelopment Authority for the North [...]
Reading’s First Renewal Plan
Penn Street for many years was a vibrant thoroughfare where people enjoyed shopping. Theaters, various types of commercial establishments, [...]
The Eric Theater – 3225 N. Fifth St., Muhlenberg Township
In 1969, a $165,000 bond was put in place for the building of the Eric Theater near Allentown Pike [...]
Rosenbaum Clothier and Hatter – 700-702 Penn Street, Reading, PA
In 1893, David Rosenbaum constructed one of Reading's most exquisite and ornamental structures. Mr. Rosenbaum moved to Reading in [...]
The Loew’s Colonial Theatre – Reading, PA
The Colonial Theatre, built by Carr and Schad in 1916 on the Breneiser property at 651–667 Penn Street between [...]
Construction of the Court Street Bridge – Reading, PA
The current Court Street Bridge was created as part of the Downtown East Urban Renewal Project. Construction of the [...]
Urban renewal of the 1960s and 1970s – the good, the bad, and the ugly
During the 1970s, there was an uncommon level of consensus in Reading politics; almost everyone agreed that downtown Reading [...]
When Reading had its own Mummers’ Day Parade
Special contribution by Local Historian "Sharon Merolli." The following is a description of the first and only parade of [...]
Leinbach’s Hill, West Reading
Anyone traveling into West Reading across the Penn Street Viaduct has probably noticed at one time or another the [...]
Reading City Council extends lease for Rotary Park
Former Reading City Council member Stratton Marmarou made a return to Council Chambers at Monday night’s City Council meeting on [...]
The History of Carvel Ice Cream in Berks County
Carvel has had a presence in Berks County since its early days. In 1949, the company opened one of [...]
Bernhart’s Creek and Wildlife Nature Preserve
City advisors are currently collaborating with Benjiman Cammarano, a senior at Delaware Valley University majoring in Landscape Architecture and Environmental [...]
City Council Public Meeting – Bernhart’s Dam and Park
Reading City Council held a public meeting on Wednesday evening, May 31, about the removal of Bernhart’s Dam and [...]