Berks County is rich in local, national and world history... Come and explore the incredible artifacts and works of art from the last three centuries on exhibit at the Reading Public Museum... Trace your family’s history at the Berks County Genealogical Society... Visit an early American iron plantation at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.


Albany Township Historical Society
The mission of the Albany Township Historical Society is to honor, collect, preserve and interpret the rich cultural heritage of the Township. Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7:30 PM. at the
Albany Township Elementary School in Kempton
PO Box 95 Kempton, PA 19529.  610-562-0123 or 610-756-6144 www.albanyths.org     Top

Amity Heritage Society
The
Amity Heritage Society provides several services including genealogical research, photographic reproductions, and research of historical homes and structures in the area that they serve.  Bi-monthly are held on the third Sunday of the month at 1 PM.  Open every Thursday from 7-9PM with library and history meeting every Thursday.
PO Box 151 Earlville, PA 19519.  610-582-2080. http://www.amityheritagesociety.com/     Top

Andulhea Heritage Society
Quarterly meetings are held at the Altalaha Church at 6:30 PM.  Library open by appointment.
PO Box 176 Rehresburg, PA 19550.  717-933-5792. Email:  andulhea@hotmail.com     Top

The Berks County Genealogical Society
The Berks County Genealogical Society collects and disseminates data to professional and amateur genealogists and family historians. The collection contains over 10,000 books, films, civil, church and military records. The library is open Monday - Friday 11AM - 4PM, Saturday Saturday 1PM-5PM and Sunday Noon-4PM.  GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Fourth Floor-Room 413, 201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601.  610-921-4970. http://www.berksgenes.org  Top

Eastern Veterinary Historical Society
The mission of the Eastern Veterinary historical society is to showcase the rich heritage of veterinary medicine and to promote public awareness of the profession by procuring, preserving, and providing artifacts and oral histories for research and exhibition.   
1003 Main Street, Route 724  Birdsboro, PA  19508.  610-489-1229 http://www.evhs.org/     Top

Central Pennsylvania African American Museum
The mission of the museum is
to establish, preserve and maintain a collection of objects, artifacts, arts, papers, books, photographs, etc. that document and describe the history and culture of African Americans in the new World, with an emphasis on our local and regional (Reading, Berks and surrounding counties) African American history and culture, and to create an appropriate environment for exhibition of the collection, to foster understanding of the history and culture of Africans in the New World, and to encourage education and research.  The mission of the museum also includes the preservation of the Underground Railroad located on the lower level of the Old Bethel A.M.E. Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.  Monthly meetings held on the third Tuesday of every month at 6PM.  119 North 19th Street, Reading, PA  19601.  http://www.cpafricanamericanmuseum.org/     Top

Fleetwood Area Historical Society
Exhibits of local interest including Fleetwood Metal Body Co. Meetings held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7PM. Monday and Friday 9-12, 2nd Sunday of each month 1-4. 110 West Arch Street, Suite 212, Fleetwood, PA 19522. 610-944-9983.  http://www.fleetwoodpa.org/   Top

Hamburg Area Historical Society
Open Sundays 1-4PM or by appointment.  Monthly programs on first Thursday at 7PM.  102 State Street, Hamburg, PA.  610562-3664 or 610-562-4221.   Top

Heidelberg Heritage Society
Local history is preserved in a 1797 tavern containing a museum and research library. Open by appointment.  For free tour, special event or membership information call 610-678-6202. 182 West Penn Avenue, Wernersville, PA 19565.   Top

 

The Historical Society of Berks County
The three floors of exhibit galleries at the Historical Society of Berks County feature Pennsylvania German collections, fine arts, transportation, toys, decorative arts and artifacts related to all aspects of County history. A hands-on history room is open to children. Two galleries feature changing exhibitions. The Museum and library are open Tuesday-Saturday 9-4. Admission. 940 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19601. 610-375-4375.  http://www.berkshistory.org/   Top

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site preserves an industry and lifestyle now nearly forgotten. It is one of the finest examples of an early American “iron plantation”, the forerunner of today’s iron and steel industries. Open Daily (Call for holiday closings) 9-5. Seasonal living history and special events. 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520. 610-582-8773. www.nps.gov/hofu.   Top


Italian-American Cultural Heritage Center
The Italian-American Cultural Center is a private non-profit organization affiliated with Alvernia College. The IACC's mission is to serve the residents of Reading and Berks County through the sponsorship of educational programs that promote the Italian-American Cultural heritage. The Center's multi-media library serves as the focal point of this educational activity. Other supporting programs include sponsorship of guest speakers and lecturers, the publication of a quarterly newsletter The Italian American Perspective, and the broadcasting of a monthly television program on BCTV. The Center's annual program is held in the month of October.  The library may be accessed during regular library hours. Italian American Cultural Center, Dr. Frank A. Franco Library, Alvernia College, Reading, PA 19607 610-796-3000. http://www.alvernia.edu/library/iacc.htm   Top

Kutztown Area Historical Society
The Kutztown Area Historical Society (KAHS) was formed in 1974-75 and incorporated in 1976 as one of the first regional historical societies in Berks County. On February 27, 1979, the Society purchased the 1892 Public School Building from the Kutztown Area School District. This late Victorian marvel, on the National Register of Historic Places, houses the society’s museum and administrative offices. egularly scheduled activities include our Monthly Program Specials (third Wednesdays) and the Ten O'Clock Scholars program in April. The Society also sponsors other special events such as quilt and art shows, open houses, trick-or-treat nights, and special exhibitions relating to specific aspects of local and regional history. Tours of the building can be taken, and library research arranged, during any of our events or by appointment.  610-683-7697. http://www.kutztownhistory.org   Top

Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is located in Kutztown. It consists of a 42 acre farm with several buildings which show the life of the Pennsylvania Germans in the 18th and 19th centuries. PO Box 306, Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA.  610-683-1589. http://www.kutztown.edu/community/pgchc   Top

Reading Area Firefighter's Museum
Saturday morning tours by reservation.  510 South Fifth Street, Reading, PA 19601.  610-372-5721. 
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The Reading Public Museum
The Reading Public Museum, established in 1904, is home to one of the greatest collections of art and science of any regional museum. Artifacts from around the globe are included in its comprehensive collections. Works of art from the last three centuries are on constant exhibit. Planetarium shows run every Sunday. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11-5, Wednesday 11-8, Sunday. 12-5 Admission. 500 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611. 610-371-5850  http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org   Top

The Sinking Spring Historical Society
The Sinking Spring Historical Society maintains Heritage park, located in Sinking Spring adjoining the community grounds. It consists of the original Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Sinking Spring 1872 passenger station and 1858 freight house, moved from their original location. The station museum contains materials and exhibits on local history and the history of the operating days of the buildings. Open by appointment. 1100 Ruth Street, Sinking Spring, PA 19608.  610-678-4219.   Top


The Tri-County Heritage Society
The Tri-County Heritage Society seeks to preserve the legacy of early settlers in Southern Berks, Eastern Lancaster, and Northern Chester Counties. PO Box 534, Blue Ball, PA 17506. 610-286-7477.   Top

Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society
Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of local History through its Museum and Library. Hours: Monday through Sunday 1-4PM except Wednesdays. Closed Saturdays November through April. 116 North Front Street, Womelsdorf, PA 19567. 610-589-2527. Top

 

 

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