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If you've been meaning to see this exhibit and have not done so as yet,
we urge you to come soon.

This truly has been a popular exhibit, largely due to the fact that
all the rifles were handmade in Reading and Berks and all are of
considerable rarity.

NEVER AGAIN will these appear in exhibit as a unit. Once they are
returned to their owners, most will never been seen again by the
general public.

The book accompanying the exhibit, pictured above, can be purchased
in our Museum Store at 940 Centre Avenue, Reading.

It is also available at our online Museum Store....
http://www.berkshistory.org/giftshop/

3- Most FIRST SATURDAY programs begin at 10 a.m.;
doors open at 9:30 for refreshments.

The LONE EXCEPTION is the forthcoming program on the
20th, which begins at 9:30 a.m.; doors open at 9.

Admission charge for non-members:
Adults - $5. Senior Citizens - $4. Children to age 17 - $3.
MEMBERS pay $1 to help defray the cost of refreshments.

The admission charge for non-members allows visitors to
see the exhibits on all three floors of Society headquarters.

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6- Plans are afoot to possibly demolish the 140-year-old
one-room schoolhouse at Jacksonwald, a part of the Exeter
Township School District. It is owned by the school board.

What put the landmark on the endangered list is that the
corner whereupon it sits--at the intersection of Oley
Turnpike and Route 562 (Boyertown Pike)--will be cut back
to allow for easier passage of school buses that will be
using that intersection more frequently on a daily basis.

It is our understanding that a grant is available to move
the building from the site to "a safe position" near a new
elementary school to be erected by the Exeter Twp. School
District...very soon.

We urge that the building be moved rather than allowing it
to be demolished!



THEN....



NOW....

7- YOU are invited to this FREE CONCERT at Society headquarters
at 940 Centre Avenue, Reading, on Sat., Feb. 27th at 7:30 p.m.

Last month, the Reading Symphony Orchestra League held its
56th annual student auditions to select six musicians from a
field of 14 gifted applicants to participate in several planned
concerts. The first is in the Historical Society's Connor
Auditorium at the end of this month.

The Youth Concert has been an annual event at our Society for
nearly two decades...and one that never fails to please.

Hosting this Musicale will be Debbie Pyle, RSOL Student
Auditions Chair, and Geo. M. Meiser, IX, Historical Society
President and past president of the Music Club of Reading-Berks.

The talent presented at these concerts is EXCEPTIONAL. Joshua
Kohl, latterly of Wyomissing, who appeared in one of these
Youth Concert Musicales some years ago, is making a name for
himself on concert and opera stages across the U.S.A.

Come to this free event at our Society....and bring friends!
Support the youth of Reading and Berks.

8- The Earlville Post Office holds the all-time record
for a Berks post office operating continuously on the very
same site--172 years.

There are several post offices that have been in existence
longer ...but the others have been located at a variety of
sites.

Earlville's office was established in the old Kline hotel on
the Boyertown Pike (Route 562) on Aug. 2nd, 1838...and
stayed put!

It comes as a surprise to many to learn that the Earlville
Hotel sits in Amity Townshp...at the extreme western
border...at the Earl Township Line.



NANCY EVERHART, postmaster of Earville during its last 33 years.

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This exhibit will contain a WIDE VARIETY of items, all either
made in Reading-Berks or with a strong Reading-Berks connection.
The variety of items is dazzling...and amazing...and surprising.

Among the many genuine rarities to be displayed is a Fairchild
hand-operated vehicle made at Albright's Carriage Works, 23th and
Perkiomen Ave., Mount Penn. Both John (1882-1963) and his
brother Harry (1884-1939) had one.

The "wagons" were used by the brothers to get around town to
sell peanuts and candy. The complete Fairchild story can be
found in The Passing Scene--Volume 1, pages 44 to 49.

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Any questions? Call the Society at 610 - 374 - 4375 and ask
for Vicky Heffner, the Society's Education Curator.

11- an EXTENSIVE history of the hotel (Inn) at the
intersection of Route 222 and 663 (with illustrations) can be
found by accessing...
http://www.innatmoselemsprings.com/1929.html

Recently, the Reading Eagle published a news release provided
by the new owners. For the record, the structure now
standing at the intersection was erected in 1929, following
a disastrous fire to the landmark that preceded it.

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13- The Historical Society of Berks County has had an
afiliation with BCTV for at least 30 years so we know
for a fact how popular their programming is with people
near and far.

The Society's BCTV program is available 24/7 all over
the world and is watched by many of our members and
friends over the Internet....

http://www.berkshistory.org/media/

With funding sources dwindling due to the state of the
economy, it is IMPARATIVE that viewers who appreciate
BCTV's offerings support the station.

If you're one who would miss BCTV were it to go off the
air, and that is NOT an impossibility, send a check to
BCTV....645 Penn Street....Reading, PA 19601.

Considering making that check for 34 dollars, one for
each year BCTV has been on the air. Or make it for more.
Again, your support is absolutely necessary...now more
than ever!