View a tiny sampling of the thousands of items on display in our museum
Learn how you can become a member of the Historical Society of Berks County
Read breaking stories concerning Berks County history.
Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
|
FOUR News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest....
======================================== 1- Mount Penn Borough, on the east side of Reading, now 100! 2- By popular demand, talking machine exhibit extended to Feb. 2nd 3- Washington Township commemorative book reviewed 4- Browsing through the Society’s pre-owned books..... ========================================= 1. Recently, Mount Penn borough posted a sign at its small triangular island at 23rd and Perkioman Ave. informing drivers-by that the municipality has begun observance of its 100th anniversary. Last Saturday, a kick-off event was staged at borough hall. Prior to establishment of the borough, the village was known as Dengler’s, as was the postal designation there. The Dengler was George, who operated a landmark hotel where the bank now stands at 23rd and Perkioman--next to Leinbach’s Hardware store. 
The Denglers lived in a large home that stood high on the south side of Perkioman Ave., about a block away, at number 2504. At the present time, Dr. David H. Foster occupies the landmark building. ======================================== 2- The Society’s "125th Anniversary of the Invention of the Talking Machine" exhibition has been extended about two weeks--to Saturday, February 2nd. If you haven’t seen this fascinating show yet--with its 500+ phonographic artifacts--you will want to make arrangements to do so. Two exhibits, particularly, have generated considerable interest. The one is an early 1890’s Columbia toy disc player, hand turned, that reproduces sound from small, wax, records. These are as rare as the proverbial hen’s teeth! 
The other rarity is an Edison talking doll, which dates from the 1890s, that has a miniature cylinder-playing talking machine where her heart and kidneys should be! These highly treasured toys were made for only a short time.....for two reasons: the talking unit was easily "upset" and the eerie-sounding speech was not particularly ingratiating to little girls of 110 years ago! 
========================================= 3- In observance of Berks County’s 250th anniversary commemoration, Washington Twp. produced the following: "Worth Remembering: Profiles of a Community," published by Washington Township, 2002. Softbound book; 8.5 by 11 inches. 70 pages. Available by post for $19 by check drawn in favor of "Washington Township," 120 Barto Road, Barto, PA 19504 
Kudos to Michael A. Miller, Dr. Rob’t A. Zambanini, Jr., and others on the Anniversary Fest Committee for a first-class publication. It’s printed on quality paper (which means the pictures reproduced very well), it has a useful and detailed table of contents, clearly prepared text and presentation of material, plenty of informative maps, brightly-colored/sharp illustrations, and a comprehensive (5-page) index. In other words, it has all that a good book should contain. Genealogists will have a field day looking paging through this publication. Of particular interest is inclusion of the names of 171 people who lived within the township during the census of 1840. The icing on the cake is a detailed road map that shows exactly where those 171 lived. This is exceedingly valuable information that required a good deal of time to compile by someone on the committee. Much could be said about the wealth of freshly unearthed information included in the text, much of it taken from vintage ledgers, probably obtained at the Court House. The data from the old Road Books will be "new" and fascinating to all but the most seasoned of researchers. The bottom line is that "Worth Remembering" contains a great deal of data you will in no other published history of Berks. You need not have family ties to Washington Twp. to find this book of interest and value. Those into old mills, forges, furnaces, and landmarks-in-general will enjoy poring through the text. As can be surmised, I am much impressed with the committee’s research and presentation. ========================================= 4. As those who visit the Society’s headquarters from time to time know, the gift/museum shop there has a pre-owned book section that contains hundreds of Reading-Berks related volumes. Stock is replenished EVERY Tuesday morning, so there is a constant supply of such material available. Virtually every Berks history ever published shows up on the shelves from time to time. Your editor checks inventory at least once a week to see what new (old) books have been added. It should be noted that a well-known local dealer, perpetually combing the area for goodies, stocks the shelves---which means that we never know what's heading our way. During some free time today, we looked over the inventory and jotted down the titles of a few books that might be of interest to some of you. Needless to say, there is only ONE copy of each book listed--unless otherwise noted. If any interests you, email "the book person" [ Gloria.Meiser@verizon.net ] indicating your interest. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Or should that be.... FIRST EMAILING, FIRST SERVED! All prices indicated INCLUDE POSTAGE. Condition good, unless otherwise noted. 1937 Reading City Directory - 975 pages - $50 1938 Reading City Directory - 300 pages; street guide with names of those living at each house. In 1938, to keep costs down, the publishing company sold just the street guide OR just the alphabetical listing of names. 300 pages - $45 1958 Reading City Directory - 1192 pages - $45 1966 Reading City Directory - 1200+ pages - $40 The Passing Scene - Volume 3 - $74.50 The Passing Scene - Vol. 3 - by Meiser & Meiser - $74.50 The Passing Scene - Vol. 4 - by Meiser & Meiser - $74.50 The Passing Scene - Vol. 6 - by Meiser & Meiser - $74.50 1748-1898 "History of Reading and its Sesqui-Centennial" by M. L. Montgomery - 298 pages - 6 by 9.25 - indexed. In actuality, this is a comprehensive history of local industry. Contains tons of data found nowhere else. Reprinted version - $40 Original in great condition - $80 Original, in rough condition - $25 1898 Biographic Sketches of Leading Citizens of Berks" 740 pages - a BIG book - cover mended but book is solid - $155 (Contains many bios/portraits not found in Montgomery) Final Report of the Schuylkill River Desilting Project - 1951 200 pages. Big, heavy publication. Some illustrations and maps. 8.5 by 11 inches. Not many printed. $40 ============== gmmix ======== end =========== |
|
|
| Home | Membership | Library | Museum | News | Calendar | Gift Shop | Articles | Photos | Multimedia |