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 |
| Posted 08-08-2003
FOUR MORE News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest… ====================== ==================== 1- L.A.Wollenweber, famous poet/writer buried at Aulenbach's 2- Aulenbach's preservers host chicken BBQ tomorrow/SAT. 3- Ringgold Band at Hill Church grove Sat. evening - 6 to 9 4- All-Chopin piano concert at Hist.Soc. Sunday at 3. FREE! ====================== ===================== ====================== ===================== 1- An interesting article in the Reading Eagle (Aug. 16, 1896) reports that some German friends of L. A. Wollenweber---famous journalist, poet, author---wanted to perpetuate his memory so had a bust made which was placed at a choice spot along the Gravity Railroad, atop Mount Penn. It was not a very good likeness. The year after it was placed in position---shortly after his death in 1888---some visitors from Philadelphia, who had been friends of the poet, took a ride on the Gravity. When they saw the likeness, they were so incensed at its poor quality that they started hurling stones at the bust, causing it much damage. It was thereafter removed from its perch and placed under a bench at Gravity Station---located under the Lindbergh Viaduct, on the Arner's Restaurant side. Here is a likeness of the Wollenweber bust, the only known likeness of the man. Wonder what ever happened to it? 
Ludwig/Louis Wollenweber came to our shores in 1832 from his native Germany. He arrived in Philadelphia by stage with only a fip left. (FYI: A fip was a silver coin worth 6 1/4 cents; sixteen fips made a dollar. Another old coin was a "bit" worth 12.5 cents; two bits made a quarter. Remember that?) In later years, Wollenweber commented that seldom did one hear German spoken on the streets of Philadelphia. That fact and not being able to find work, he decided to leave the "City of Brotherly Love" where he said he made friends but found little of brotherly love! He secured a canal boat ride to Reading where, he was told, you hear German spoken everywhere. Ludwig arrived in Reading in the company of Charles Heizmann. Wollenweber worked on the Schuylkill Canal, briefly assisted an editor of a German news- paper in Phila., and later wrote for the Lancaster Demokrat, The Phila. Beobachter, the Neue Welt, and our well-known Reading Adler (Eagle). For a period of about five years, Wollenweber lived in a fine mansion in Womelsdorf, which still stands at 324 West High St. He wrote some plays which had great success: "Gila, the Indian Girl," "Latina on the Schuylkill Canal," and "General Peter Muhlenberg." Books: "Aus Berks County's Schwester Zeit" 1875, "Die Berg Maria" (Mountain Mary, 1880), "Die beiden ersten Anseidler in PA," "Erst Muhl am Muhlbach" (Michael Meiser and his son Geo. I lie buried two blocks away from the mill at Milbach), etc. His last work probably was "Starting a farm in the wilderness of Berks County---or a German musician among the Indians." It's not known whether or not he finished this work. He was living at 19 N. 9th at the time. On Wollenweber's gravestone is the following: L. A. Wollenweber born Dec. 2, 1807 in Ixheim, Zweibrucken, Rhinepfalz, died July 25, 1880, aged 80 years, 7 months, 20 days. (Since this was copied in 1976, the stone has become very difficult to read.) 
A fanciful writer's sheet ornamenting the front of the stone has the following inscription, now almost impossible to read: "die letzte Correspondence am 25 Juli 1888 von L. Wollenweber- der Alte vom Berg" (the last communication on July 25, 1888 of L. Wolllenweber---the Old Man of the Mountain). 
Another stone close by marks the grave of his wife Fredericke (1821-1892)…and yet another for Alice, his adopted daughter (1848-1913). Of all Wollenweber's writings, only his Mountain Mary story is generally seen in collections. Anyone ever see a copy of "Latina on the Schuylkill Canal"? See the great man's resting place, which is easily found. Standing on the steps outside the cemetery office, cast your eye a bit to the right, take 20 steps, and you're there. Look for the Wollenweber marble marker right along the macadam driveway. See the Wollenweber lot tomorrow when you go for chicken BBQ! ==================== =================== 2- TOMORROW, Saturday, August 9th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a chicken dinner to benefit Aulenbach's Cemetery, truly a non-profit operation! They NEED your support, so if you're local, why not pick up a dinner or two to help the cause? We all have to eat something---and a chicken dinner is a good choice! Dinners are $7 each. Baked goods will be available. Pick up your dinner along Perkiomen Ave., on the parking lot between Lutz Funeral Home and Reich's Insurance Office----opposite the east end of the cemetery. There is a pressing need for funds to help pay for recent storm damage. There's always some unexpected need for funds. Look at the size of the tree that just came down. It's probably older than the cemetery! 
Recently, thanks to monies earned by various projects AND donations---some from you folks---volunteers were able to restore the old-time office building which was on the verge of no return. 
Donations may be sent to Aulenbach's Cemetery Co, c/o Dorothy Breitegam (Secretary), 707 N. 25th St., Reading, PA 19606 - 1454 ====================== =============== 3- Reminder: Tomorrow/Saturday evening, from 6 to 9, the famous Ringgold Band (est. 1852) will be playing at Hill Church, in the Oley Valley. See the previous News-Bits for particulars of the hamlet of Hill Church. ===================== ================ 4- Reminder: This Sunday, Aug. 10th, is a free, gala piano concert---an All Chopin program in the auditorium of the Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Center Ave., Readikng. Time is 3 p.m. Bring friends!~ Six fine musicians will take turns entertaining you. Don't miss this program! Parking is easy at the Hist. Society on Sunday afternoons. =================== ==================== |
|
|
| Home | Membership | Library | Museum | News | Calendar | Gift Shop | Articles | Photos | Multimedia |