Berks History Center

Description:

Founded as The Historical Society of Berks County in 1869, the Berks History Center showcases the unique history and diverse cultural heritage of Berks County through a vast collection of objects, paintings, books, photographs and historical records. The Berks History Center is the official county historical society of Berks County and is one of the oldest historical societies in the nation.

Explore Berks County from its native and immigrant roots to its agricultural and industrial legacy in the Berks History Center Museum, where the past comes to life in over a dozen carefully curated galleries and exhibits. Visitors of all ages can enjoy Berks history in the “Hand-on History” room where families come to learn and play together.

The Berks History Center’s Henry Janssen Library is a state-of-the-art research facility that collects, organizes and protects over 200 years of Berks County historical documents. Need help with your historical research or family genealogy? The Berks History Center’s team of Archivists and Research Assistants are ready to help you uncover your Berks History. 

The Berks History Center campus is located at the corner of Centre Ave. and Spring Streets in Reading, PA. The Berks History Center Museum is located at 940 Centre Ave. The Berks History Center’s Research Library, the Henry Janssen Library, is located across the street at 160 Spring Street, where off-street parking is also available. Both facilities are open to the general public Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

 

Special Events (including dates and times):

The 4 Centuries in Berks Historic Property Tour is a self-guided historic property tour, celebrating 4 centuries of architectural history in Berks County and the annual fundraising event to benefit the educational programs at Berks History Center.

The Berks History Conference is an annual gathering of history enthusiasts featuring informative lectures on Berks County’s history. Each year the Berks History Conference explores a specific theme such as women’s history, Berks County Foodways, and the Civil War.

Year-round programs:

BHC Second Saturdays are hour-long history programs held every 2nd Saturday of the month at starting at 10 a.m. at the Berks History Center Museum. Pay at the door: $5 for Members, $8 for Non-Members, and free for Gold Card Members

HJL Book Club meets on the 3rd Wednesday of February, April, June, August and October at the Berks History Center’s Henry Janssen Library. Discussion starts at 5:30 p.m. and focuses on various history books selected by the group. Beverages provided, bring your own brown bag meal to enjoy during the discussion and a $5.00 donation for the Adopt-A-Collection Fund

1776 Club is a youth-oriented membership club geared towards engaging junior historian in the history of Berks County. Age 7-17. $17.76 to join and includes a discount to the Berks History Center’s annual Junior Historian Camp in June.

Making History Workshops are special seasonal events that explore and teach traditional crafts of Berks County including basket weaving, PA German paper crafts and other local folk arts.

BHC’s Walks, Hikes, and Local History Excursions provide opportunities to explore Berks County’s unique history first-hand on guided history walks, hikes, and driving tours.

BHC Bus Trips are specially curated travel experiences focused on the history of unique travel destinations. Travelers will tour significant historic sites and enjoy a relaxing vacation with other history enthusiasts. Costs vary, members enjoy a $10 discount.

Regular hours:

Berks History Center Museum and Research Library are open to the public, now by appointment only on Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Please call 610-375-4375 to schedule your visit.