The Historical Society is excited to be opening again for visitors! We will follow all current CDC recommendations. We ask everyone to practice social distancing and wear a mask if they are unvaccinated.
All dates and times are weather permitting. The Museum is open for one hour prior to all programs and for an hour after programs end. There is never a charge to attend programs or to tour the Museum
Featured Past Events
Jon Bond
From the Reading Eagle....
For 45 years, Jonathan Bond has been painting landscapes reflecting the beautiful northern Berks countryside that he and nine generations of his forebearers have called home.
And for 30 years, Dave Kline has been making folk music evocative of the mountains and valleys and the rivers and streams that make up this diamond-shaped slice of Americana that he's called home all of his days.
Last July, these two prolific local artists had a meeting of the minds.
“I've thought of this project for several years where I want to combine these two disciplines of art and music,” Bond said. “I wrote Dave a letter. I'm still an old-fashioned guy; I write letters. He responded via email that he'd love to help.”
Less than a year later, “The Place I Call Home,” an art book/double CD package that serves as an ode to the natural beauty that surrounds us, is ready for the world to see and hear.
“It was very collaborative,” Bond said. “The whole point is that people get another layer of appreciation for what we're doing and what Berks County is all about.”
Fred Sheeler
We are pleased that the Berks Recorder of Deeds was our speaker for the October meeting: he brings a wealth of knowledge and a sharing attitude to his presentations of his job.
Fred Sheeler has been Berks County Recorder of Deeds since January 2008 and is now about halfway through his third 4-year term.
Early in his first term Fred installed a modern software system that contains data and images of every deed, mortgage and miscellaneous land record recorded in Berks since its founding in 1752. All that information and document images are available to the public on the Recorder of Deed’s website making it easy to search the history of all properties. Prior to taking office Fred Worked in banking and mortgage lending where he learned about the importance of good land redo keeping. Fred is an avid history lover and as such the Recorder’s Office is a great fit for him because he is able to preserve history and make it easily accessible to everyone.
Fred’s presentation was interesting to all who live and work in Berks Country as all of us are affected by someone’s property in various ways.
Jon Bond
From the Reading Eagle....
For 45 years, Jonathan Bond has been painting landscapes reflecting the beautiful northern Berks countryside that he and nine generations of his forebearers have called home.
And for 30 years, Dave Kline has been making folk music evocative of the mountains and valleys and the rivers and streams that make up this diamond-shaped slice of Americana that he's called home all of his days.
Last July, these two prolific local artists had a meeting of the minds.
“I've thought of this project for several years where I want to combine these two disciplines of art and music,” Bond said. “I wrote Dave a letter. I'm still an old-fashioned guy; I write letters. He responded via email that he'd love to help.”
Less than a year later, “The Place I Call Home,” an art book/double CD package that serves as an ode to the natural beauty that surrounds us, is ready for the world to see and hear.
“It was very collaborative,” Bond said. “The whole point is that people get another layer of appreciation for what we're doing and what Berks County is all about.”
Fred Sheeler
We are pleased that the Berks Recorder of Deeds was our speaker for the October meeting: he brings a wealth of knowledge and a sharing attitude to his presentations of his job.
Fred Sheeler has been Berks County Recorder of Deeds since January 2008 and is now about halfway through his third 4-year term.
Early in his first term Fred installed a modern software system that contains data and images of every deed, mortgage and miscellaneous land record recorded in Berks since its founding in 1752. All that information and document images are available to the public on the Recorder of Deed’s website making it easy to search the history of all properties. Prior to taking office Fred Worked in banking and mortgage lending where he learned about the importance of good land redo keeping. Fred is an avid history lover and as such the Recorder’s Office is a great fit for him because he is able to preserve history and make it easily accessible to everyone.
Fred’s presentation was interesting to all who live and work in Berks Country as all of us are affected by someone’s property in various ways.
The Miller Brothers Program
The Miller Brothers
The Miller Brothers - Lester, Russel, Richard, Robert, and William - sang, danced, and told stories about the past, both in English and Pennsylvania Dutch. Since the brothers have retired from the work force, they have focused on keeping the local language alive by presenting their various talents. This was the perfect opportunity to learn about the local culture in an entertaining way.
The Miller Brothers - Lester, Russel, Richard, Robert, and William - sang, danced, and told stories about the past, both in English and Pennsylvania Dutch. Since the brothers have retired from the work force, they have focused on keeping the local language alive by presenting their various talents. This was the perfect opportunity to learn about the local culture in an entertaining way.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Hessians
Michael Jesberger
Civil War Historical Reenactor and Lecturer, Michael Jesberger, presented a program on one of America's oldest short stories based on real accounts that took place in the Hudson Valley of New York during the American Revolution. We browsed artifacts of the time period and region as we learned about the rich history surrounding the story.
Civil War Historical Reenactor and Lecturer, Michael Jesberger, presented a program on one of America's oldest short stories based on real accounts that took place in the Hudson Valley of New York during the American Revolution. We browsed artifacts of the time period and region as we learned about the rich history surrounding the story.
Past Events
Powwowing in Pennsylvania: May 15, 2016
Remembering Old-Time Shopping in Kutztown: April 6, 2016
Walking History Tour of Kutztown: July 27, 2015