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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
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NINE News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest....
==================================== 1- The Hamburg book has been completed; copies on the way 2- The Astor Theatre book has been completed; copies coming 3- The Knorr family history books have been completed.... 4- Log cabin at 26 E. Main St., Fleetwood, is no more 5- Information needed on Vinemont’s Park Mansion, latterly used as a Boy Scout camp (Spring Twp.) 6- Centre Park Christmas Tour on Sunday, Dec. 8th at 1-6 p.m. 7- If you haven’t checked our web-site lately, you should..... 8- Volunteers are needed...at the front desk, gift shop, library 9- Special request!!! ====================================== 1- "Hamburg Area....1752-1852" by Richard S. and Rosemarie Machmer and members of the Hamburg Area Historical Society (Therman Madeira, Phil Kistler, Carolyn Hollenbach, Janet Barr, John Reppert, Sr., &c); 124 pages; 7.25 by 10.25 inches hardbound; includes a table of contents, credits, and a bibliography; 100 illustrations (8 in color). Cost is $33.50 postpaid from the Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601. Even though this volume was designed to focus on the early days of the Hamburg area--which the compilers define as the townships of Upper Tulpehocken, Upper Bern, Tilden, Windsor, Perry and the boroughs that lie within their borders--the photos used to illustrate the text date mainly from the late 1880’s onward. The table of contents indicates that the book is divided into ten sections....Indians, Lenni-Lenape, Revolutionary War, Grist Mills, Windsor Furnace, Artifacts, Centre Turnpike, Schuylkill Canal, Railroads, and Towns and Townships. Full-color pages appear within the "artifact" section that show birth and marriage certificates of folks who lived within the general area. The Machmers laud the picture collection of Hamburg’s Stewart Biehl which was used almost exclusively to illustrate the book. While history buffs will recognize some of the photos, particularly some in the canal section, there are many gems that cause one to sit up and take special notice. Among the treasures are some good clear views of Windsor Furnace (and a map of the property), the early schoolhouse at North Hamburg, Union Hotel at N. 4th and Centre Turnpike, a houseboat on the canal at State Street bridge, the c. 1811 Bailey stone house on 4th St., a log house at 4th and Island, a really early view of the 1804 Zion Church near Windsor Castle, and a rare 1830 map of the town of Hamburg by M. Wolff. 
=========================================== 2- "The Astor Theatre, a Magical Realm of Royalty" by Eileen M. Dietrich; published by Benjamin L. Bernhart; 72 pages; softbound; 8.5 by 11 inches; about 97 illustrations; includes a affecting dedication, table of contents, acknowledgments, end notes, and a bibliography. Cost is $ 18 postpaid from the Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601 
As one who patronized the Astor regularly over the years, forsook propriety to attend the last-day screening of a film there, and genuinely rued the passing of this remaining movie palace on Penn Street beyond the time it was fashionable to do so, I’ve looked forward to the appearance of this publication "for old times’ sake" and general curiosity. Incidentally, for the benefit of the younger set or recent transplants to this area, be apprised that in its heyday, the Astor was a great "movie house" that regrettably fell victim to changing times and virtual demolition-by-neglect, long before it faced the wrecker’s ball. On a more positive note, compiler Dietrich has produced a magnificent volume that does full justice to the Astor‘s memory. It’s hard to imagine how this book could be improved. There’s a near-perfect blend of text and photos. It’s striking how the author managed to get such a treasure-trove of pictures, the lens-work of such blue-ribbon photographers as Bill Uhrich, James Freeman, John Powanda, Tony Miccicke, Ben Bernhart, and Denny Fasig. Not to belabor the point, but it has to be said for the record that all the best photos known to exist of the Astor--inside and out--are in this book. Anyone having pleasant memories of time spent in the theatre will want a copy of Dietrich’s compilation, as will those with a general interest in movie palaces and a fascination with Art Deco, as there are many close-ups of architectural detail. Included, too, are interesting photos of stars of yesteryear who appeared here...Boris Karlof, Julie London. Bob Hope, the Mouseketeers, Abbott and Costello, the Three Stooges, &c. As can be surmised from the aforementioned commentary, this is as close as you’ll get to a definitive work on the subject, enhanced immeasurably by James Freeman’s front-cover full-color view of the Astor’s grand chandelier. Gracing the back cover is Berks-artist Ellen Laincz’s stunning interior view, looking down from the balcony to the stage with its quaint back-drop that showed old-time City Park as rendered by Clint Shilling over 70 years ago. 
========================================== 3- We’ve been informed that a history of the Knorrs of Berks & Schuylkill Counties has been completed and will be available anon. The 3-volume set titled "71 Years of Marriage: The Ancestors, Descendents & Relations of George and Alice Knorr of Reading, PA" contains 1787 pages divided into 3 volumes. Included is substantial information about the Mahantango Valley --including the descendents of Alexander Klinger & Peter Knorr/Knauer. Also mentioned are the Schadels, Stiehlys, Knerrs, Weisers, Maurers, Rebucks, Rothermals, Burnishes, Hinkels, Schutters, Schneiders, Brossmans, Derrs, Wegmans, Brosiuses, and many, many more. The 3-volume set is priced at $99.95 postpaid. Queries to Lawrence Berger-Knorr 8 Appaloosa Way Carlisle, PA 17013-9073 bergerknorr@comcast.net ====================================== 4- A communication from Society videographer Joe DeAngelo Tuesday the 26th informed us that the log and stone farmhouse at 26 East Main St., Fleetwood, has been completely razed and now lies in rubble. 
====================================== 5- Steven Blondo would like to speak with anyone who remembers or has information concerning the Park Mansion Resort in Vinemont. It was run by Dr. E. K. Blanck from approx. 1890 to 1915. 
Also, if anyone remembers the Boy Scout Camp, Camp Indiandale, that took over around 1915, or the Germantown Boys and Girls Club's Camp Indiandale which followed the Boy Scout Camp. Mr. Blondo, who currently resides in the Doctor Blanck house, is researching the property for an article. He can be reached at: Steven Blondo, 225 Indiandale Road, Reinholds, PA 17569 Email him at < stevenblondo@hotmail.com > =================================== 6- Centre Park Historic District’s 18th annual Christmastide House Tour occurs on Sunday, Dec. 8th, from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets at $10 each will be on sale at Centre Park, along Centre Ave., about two blocks below the Historical Society. This year, there will be TEN houses available to visit, one of which is the magnificent Hendel Mansion at Centre Ave. and Douglass. It has been professionally decorated for this event with results that defy description. Don’t miss the chance to tour this 1877-1897 Victorian showplace. ================================== 7- If you haven’t looked at the various components of the Historical Society’s web-site lately, you should take some time to check it. Perhaps watch our current BCTV video-stream program, available 24/7 but best viewed at night or early in the morning. http://www.berkshistory.org/histsoc ================================== 8- The Society needs volunteers! At the front desk, in the gift shop, and in the library. Shifts are generally 3 hours....once a week or once a month....or whenever. If you’re into research, helping in the library is a great way to learn our collection. There are maps, books, photos, and filed materials that the general public never gets to see because they don’t know it exists. Do you know we have nearly 17,000 photos! =================================== 9- Parting shot: Does anyone know who might consider donating a baby grand piano to the Society for the Hendel Mansion? It has to be either a baby grand or a good quality upright grand because of space constraints. We do have an upright piano that has been tuned and repaired-- but it’s 90 years old and cannot be used for concert programs. Don’t tell anyone, but the name above the keyboard belies the fact it’s a SEARS! ============== gmmix ===== end ======== |
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