Berks County is full of treasures such as the history of the Reading Company, the remarkable automobile, carriage and bicycle collections at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles and the historic aircraft at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum.

Bahr's Mill Preservation Society
The National Register mill features operational belt-driven 1870’s woodworking machinery and houses the complete 4-story power train with lineshafts and wooden and metal gears. Open weekends in June, July, and August 11AM-4PM or by appointment.  84 Sawmill Road Boyertown, PA  19612.  610-369-7266.  610-369-7266  http://www.user1.netcarrier.com/~lwreber    Top

 

The Berks County Heritage Center
The Berks County Heritage Center is an interpretive complex featuring the Gruber Wagon Works and C. Howard Hiester Canal Center. Located along the beautiful Tulpehocken Creek nature trail, the site also includes Wertz’s covered bridge, Deppen Cemetery, and Melcher’s Grist Mill. Buildings are open for guided tours May 1st through the last Sunday of October, Tues.-Sat. 10-4; Sun. 12-5, and are open summer holidays.  2201 Tulpehocken Road Wyomissing, PA 19610 610-374-8839
Heritage Center Website        Top

The Boyertown Museum of Historical Vehicles
The Boyertown Museum of Historical Vehicles has two remarkable vehicle collections: carriages, automobiles, trucks, bicycles and motorcycles built in the area and electric battery powered vehicles from around the world. Visitors learn about some of America’s earliest vehicle manufacturers, see custom bodied cars by Fleetwood, as well as some rare vehicles seen only here such as Duryea, Daniel’s and Middleby automobiles, which were built in Reading. The electric vehicles are examples which show both the early importance and recent progress of electric vehicle technology since their introduction a century ago. Open year round 9:30-4:00 except Mondays. Admission; groups welcome. Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, 85 South Walnut Street  Boyertown, PA 19512. 610-367-2090.  http://www.boyertownmuseum.org/   Top

Friends of the Robesonia Furnace
Friends of the Robesonia Furnace gather, preserve and disseminate information about the history of the Robesonia Furnace and encourage preservation of the Fire Engine house, the Furnace ruins and Greens. Tours by appointment. PO Box 162, Robesonia, PA 19551. 610-693-6090.  Top

The Mid Atlantic Air Museum
The Mid Atlantic Air Museum tells the story of aviation by preserving restoring, and operating historic aircraft, including a World War II B-25 bomber. More than 25 are displayed, including rare “warbirds”, classic airliners like an Eastern Airlines Martin 4-0-4 “Silver Falcon”, and unique, one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft. Visitors may also look in on the museum restoration shop and view works in progress. Especially interesting is the rebuilding of a P-61 “Black Widow” night fighter, one of only four known to exist. Over twenty exhibits and displays help to explain the collection and Mid Atlantic aviation history. There is an aviation oriented gift shop and picnic facilities are also available. 11 Museum Drive, Reading Regional Airport, Reading, PA 19605. 610-372-7333. http://www.maam.org    Top

Reading Company Technical & Historical Society
The Reading Company Technical & Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Reading Railroad and its predecessors. The Society has established a collection of railroad equipment, artifacts and a library containing documents, maps and photographs . . . anything once used or relating to the railroad. Restoration is carried out by volunteers. For information on hours and tour reservations, call 610-376-5513. PO Box 15143, Reading, PA 19612. http://www.readingrailroad.org  Top

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