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Posted 03-29-2007 3 NEWS-BITS of Reading-Berks historical interest.... ======================= ====================== ===== ======================= ====================== ===== 1- "TOOLS THAT BUILT BERKS" exhibit opens THIS Sat., Mar. 31st 2- A surviving MT. PENN GRAVITY R.R. car rescured! 3- An unusual exhibit from Terry Scott Reed at the Goggle Works =========================== ================= ======== =========================== ================= ======== 1- "The Tools that Built Berks" exhibit opening this coming Saturday is one of the most elaborate exhibitions EVER mounted by the Historical Society of Berks County. Guest Curator and Society Trustee Paul Troutman,in conjuction with Asso. Exec. Director Joshua Blay, have been working with an ARMY of volunteers for several months to gather and assemble the hundreds of artifacts being shown, most for the first time. There are exhibits throughout the first floor, including all the hallways and in all the cases in the Connor Auditorium. You will be amazed at what has been gathered. The photos that accompany this commentary show less than five percent of what can be seen "and worked." A major feature of the exhibition is the number of "working models," including a functioning Gamewell fire alarm system that was employed in Reading for many years. When a fire was spotted, you went to a nearby alarm box, pulled the lever, which relayed the signal to a central point where the box number was punched into a moving tape that identified the fire-site. Some of us well remember listening for a bell that sounded out the box number. Some readers remember when all telephone and electric wires were cloth covered. A truly ingenious brading machine appears in the exhibit that braids around conducting wire for the purposes of insulation--prior to the days of rubber coating. This is among the interactive display units that visitors to the exhibit may "work." Probably is most elaborat "setting" is the old-time wood- working shop, which has been recreated with elaborte detail. The photo herewith shows only a portion of the display. Fascinating photos--hospital and physicians' appliances-- give us an idea of the state of medical care years ago. Be sure to be on hand at 2:30 to hear Severin Fayerman's talk on hardware manufacture in Berks at 2:30. Nobody knows that business better than Severin! MORE INFORMATION: Over twenty different interactive activities are included for children of ALL ages, including video and audio players, a special two-way mirror, and much more. Our main exhibit hall features detailed recreations of a tin shop, a blacksmith shop, and a cabinet-maker’s shop. Also featured, a special exhibit in the auditorium of tools that were made here in Reading, from companies past and present. Some of these items are from our collection and have not been on display in years. Also on display are wagon making tools and vintage scale models of Gruber wagons, including one made by John Gruber himself. The Historical Society of Berks County would like to thank the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Antique Dealers Association of Berks County, and Wal-Mart for their sponsorship of this exhibit. We hope to see you and yours this SATURDAY. ===================== ================= =============== 2- Here's an email just received from our good friend Corrie Crupi of St. Lawrence: "We will be moving the Gravity Trolley Car sometime next week....weather permitting....to the Lower Alsace Township Building on Carsonia Avenue to be "Memorialized.". "We have created a platform for the car and hopefully can get it to fit properly on the platform. The car will be restored, and we will have a dedication ceremony sometime in the future." An update regarding this issue will be issued when more is known. We know many News-Bits readers have an interest in the Gravity R.R. (1890-1923) ================== ===================== ============== 3- Here's another email recently recieved: " My first "solo" show: "Thinking Inside The Box-- The Vaults of Greater Reading" will be at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts from April 2nd until the 28th. " It's a collection of 20+ photographs of the area's vintage bank vaults, (photographed with the cooperation of the banks, of course!). "I hope you'll be able to stop in for a look. "Gearheads," and those fascinated with mechanical objects, will be especially pleased, but there is beauty there for all to admire in the stainless steel shapes. The exhibit will be located (where else?) in the walk-in vault on the third floor, and the adjacent Leesport Bank Gallery. "I had an interesting time shooting these "grande dames," and I hope you enjoy it! "There will be a reception Friday, April 6, from four to eight p.m. "Admission to the GoggleWorks is free, so is the parking, and hey, if the cheese cubes materialize, it has all the makings of a hot Berks County night out!" Terry Scott Reed < terrysreed@verizon.net > P. O. Box 13662 Reading, PA 19612 ====================== ================== ======= ====================== ================== END

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