Community Presentations

~Berks/Reading History Programs~

The Battle of Leinbach’s Hill, or the Thirty Year Search for the Right Spot for a New Court House: This is an account of the political machinations and accompanying drama of the attempt by Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen to cause Reading to annex a portion of West Reading, and construct a new courthouse on the western side of the Schuylkill River on that site. Also competing in the political fray were groups seeking to have it located in City Park, Fifth and Penn Streets, as well as several other locations. [Spoiler Alert]: After thirty years of dithering by various groups of county commissioners, a plebiscite conducted by the Reading Times was the key to a decision finally being reached as to the location of the new Court House at 6th and Court Streets – dedicated in 1932. 

Shotguns in the Valley – Stop it Mr. Mayor! The Politics of the Creation of Lake Ontelaunee: The presentation will discuss of the construction of  Lake Ontelaunee along with the crisis in Reading’s water supply that had developed by the 1920s that created the need for the project. Also discussed will be the drama of what the Reading Times termed a “Shotgun Rebellion” by the local farmers that arose when construction began, along with the accompanying political drama in Reading City Hall. Players in the overall drama included not only the farmers, the citizens of Reading in need of water, but also members of Council, Mayor William Sharman, and other City Officials with important roles.

Deal Of The Century: The political machinations, and events relating to the construction of the Buttonwood Street Bridge from 1925 to 1932 and the drama involved in the dealings between the County Commissioners and the owners of Wyomissing Industries – Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen – and the administration of  Mayor Henry Stump, Reading’s first socialist mayor. When would the daily hour long traffic jams – both coming in and going out of the city – ever be relieved? Was it going to be a toll bridge? Would the bridge really be located at Buttonwood Street? Or maybe Oley Street? The presentation covers all these questions and the accompanying drama. 

The Robbery of the Century: This presentation concerns the February 4, 1921 dramatic daylight robbery of the Peoples Trust Company in Wyomissing where $187,000 (equivalent of $3.1 million in today’s dollars) was carried off – together with the tale of the manhunt and heroic detective work that followed which resulted in the capture of the six perpetrators and recovery of nearly all the stolen funds. Key players in the dram, aside from the gang of 6 bandits who committed the crime, include the District Attorney at the time (and future judge) Robert Mays, and other local authorities, out of town detectives brought in to solve the case, as well as several intrepid local women who were key witnesses with vital roles int eh apprehension and convictions of the bandits.

Various Problems Encountered by the First Berks County Women Jurors:  Although the passage of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, the “suffrage” granted was not universally viewed as including the right of women to serve on juries. This presentation will discuss the legislation in Pennsylvania that guaranteed jury service as a right held by both women and men. It will also explore the problems that arose in the implementation of this right, beginning with getting women’s names on the jury roll, plus addressing the monumental problem of the total absence of restrooms for women in the Berks County Courthouse as it existed at the time. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly!

The Cultural Brouhaha of 1924, or “Whither Shall Be the Home of the Museum?”: Revisiting the bitter politics and controversy regarding where the Reading Museum would be located: City Park?…Northeast Reading?…18th Ward?…5th and Penn?…Use the former prison? Reviewed in the presentation are the various issues involved with determining where the proper location of the new Reading Museum would be…and the personalities involved, most importantly Dr. Levi Mengel, the museum’s first Curator.  The events included resignations by several School Board members, including its President, and the most generous patron of the Museum up to that time to remove numerous paintings from the Museum which he had loaned with the eventual goal of donating them. Although matters were resolved without litigation, considerable bitterness remained between those involved that continued for years.  

Hizzoner Reading Mayor William Sharman: Sharman served between 1923 until his defeat by Socialist candidate Henry Stump in 1927, during which he brought about vast and sweeping changes in the city (including construction of Lake Ontelaunee, the Lindbergh Viaduct, paving of many city streets, connection of Fifth Street to the Allentown Pike, and providing municipal water to the 18th ward), only to lose EVERY precinct in the city in his reelection bid. Sharman’s accomplishments during this very active time in the history of Reading will be discussed, as well as the political drama during those times, plus the election that ended Sharman’s political career.

Pilgrimage to Disaster: This presentation relates the events of the 1907 train wreck in the California desert where 18 Berks residents, who were either Shriners or their family members, lost their lives on what was to be a “trip of a lifetime” to a national convention in San Francisco. The trip featured stops along the way at various historical sites and tourist attractions. Beyond the dramatic wreck itself and heroic efforts by many passengers assisting the injured, the presentation focuses on events leading up to the tragedy, its effects on the Berks County community afterwards, the circumstances and practices of funerals at that time, and litigation involving the distribution of estate assets of some of the prominent victims.

The Reading Railroad Massacre: On July 23, 1877 state militia fired into a crowd comprised of strikers blocking the progress of a train and curiosity seekers, who had gathered in the area of Seventh and Penn Streets. The shots fired would kill 11 people, and wound more than 40 others, 5 of whom were policemen trying to control the crowd. A historical marker with the heading, “Reading Railroad Massacre,” marks the location of the site of those events. It was the second consecutive day of rioting in Reading in connection with what is now known as the “Great Railroad Strike of 1877,” where similar events occurred in other cities across the country at that time, arising from wage disputes between various railroads and their employees. The presentation will discuss the causes of the dispute, the scope of the riots in Reading, the principal figures involved on both sides, the events leading to the shootings, and the aftermath involving several months of trials of numerous railroad employees who were charged with rioting and destruction of property. 

The French and Indian War in Berks County: The only North American War in which blood was actually shed in Berks County. A number of attacks by small bands of Native Americans, predominantly from the Lenape/Delaware tribes, on isolated homes of settlers in northern Berks County during the early years of the French and Indian War resulted in approximately 200 settlers being killed in the attacks, with about half that number being abducted. Attacks discussed in particular, which have developed some prominence associated with local history, include the Hochstetler family, non-violent Amish who reportedly did not fight back, despite several family members being killed or abducted. Also discussed will be the stories of the “Bloody Spring” and the “Degler Chest,” associated with the history of that area. 

Pontiac’s Rebellion Comes to Berks County: Only a few years after the Treaty of Easton of 1758 stopped attacks on settlers in Berks County by Native Americans arising out of the French and Indian War, an uprising known as “Pontiac’s War” or “Pontiac’s Rebellion” arose in 1763 originally in the area of Ohio and Michigan as a result of the Natives’ reaction to England’s policies of administration of the colonies. Widespread bloodshed involved sieges at Fort Pitt, Fort Detroit and a number of other smaller forts. The conflict spread quickly to eastern Pennsylvania and Berks County where several massacres of settlers occurred. The conflict was resolved in 1765 when several concessions were made to the Native Americans by the British, but not before the conflict left scars through the colony of Pennsylvania, including Berks County. 

1728- Year of Fear from the Tulpehocken to the Oley Valley:  Rumors, misunderstandings, and fear nearly ignited a powder keg in Berks County in 1728, leaving settlers and Native Americans on the brink of war. Tensions had begun in the 1723 at a settlement in the Tulpehocken area on land which had not been purchased from the Lenape. In 1728, a group of Shawnees coming through the area were viewed as  “foreign Indians”  and were fired upon by settlers who were unable to otherwise communicate.  In addition, two settlers, erroneously believing that other settlers had been killed by Native Americans, killed several peaceful Lenapes as “revenge.” After the killers were found guilty of murder and hanged, Pennsylvania Governor Patrick Gordon otherwise calmed the overall situation, holding a conference with a group of Native American leaders to quell tensions. Although the area remained peaceful until the start of the French and Indian War, what is now Berks County remained in a state of fear for most of the rest of 1728.

~Berks/Reading Baseball-themed History Programs~

From the Actives to the RPhils/Fightins’ – An Abbreviated History of Professional Baseball in Reading. (Or more appropriately, An Abr’v’t’d Hist. Of Pr’f’ss’n’l B’s’b’ll in Rdg.):  The development of professional baseball in what is now known as “Baseballtown,” in the course of which we will revisit:

• Teams who played here- and their comings and goings (including the Actives, Pretzels, Coal Heavers, Coal Barons, Aces, Marines, Keystones, Brooks, Indians, Red Sox – twice, and ultimately the Reading Phillies who (one hopes) won’t be going anywhere);
• Where they played (Including the “Ball Grounds” at 11th Street, Lauers Park,  the “Circus Maximus,” and now First Energy Stadium under its various names); 
• Most importantly, who played here in front of local fans: from Hall of Famers to those who just were fan favorites- including Mike Schmidt, Jimmy Rollins, Rocky Colavito, Ryan Howard, Roger Maris, Cooter Jones, Carl Furillo, Chief Bender, Moe Berg, Al Schacht, Aaron Nola, John Vukevich… and so many more.

Also covered will be the happiness (and occasional frustration) that professional baseball has brought to local fans beginning with the days of the Actives in the 1870s up to the present. 

Baseball Town’s Time of Troubles: The story behind how between 1962 and 1965 Reading lost three baseball teams in four years –  frustrations and struggles on the field, as well as an empty ballpark (except for Pony Night—the one night the ballpark was filled) immediately before the Phillies moved their AA team to Reading, beginning to play here in 1967 and coming to the rescue.

Before He Was a Catcher or a Spy- Moe Berg’s Year with the 1925 Reading Keys: Moe Berg played 15 years in the major leagues, mostly as a backup catcher, compiling over that time a very unthreatening batting average of .243.  It was not from these numbers that Berg’s notoriety arose – as he graduated magna cum laude from Princeton, and was fluent in 10 languages. (Although according to teammate Ted Lyons, “He couldn’t hit in any of them.”) In the later years of his career Berg developed a special relationship with the young Reading native, pitcher Charlie Wagner,  as he taught the young Wagner not only about pitching, but also circulating in society as well as proper grammar. Following his retirement from baseball, Berg worked as a spy during World War II for the Office Strategic Services (predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency). Berg’s career beyond his time in Reading will be discussed. Described by Casey Stengel as, “The strangest fellah who ever put on a uniform,” Berg is the only former major leaguer whose baseball card is on display at CIA Headquarters.

The Future Clown Prince of Baseball – Al Schacht – in Reading: Former major league pitcher and coach, Al Schacht, who  would become “The Clown Prince of Baseball” for more than 20 years (preceding Max Patkin) is the feature of this presentation. Shacht’s time with the 1922 Reading Aces and 1923 Reading Keys, as he made his way to national fame, was as humorous as it was engaging. Discussed will be Schacht’s various comedy routines used in Reading as well as in his regular act later in his career, including in annual performances during various World Series games.

The 1927 Reading Keys, Their Manager Fred Merkle (Unfairly Nicknamed ‘Bonehead’) and Their 31-game Losing Streak…He Couldn’t Have Done It Without Their Help: An account of the dismal 1927 Reading Keys, who had a 31 game losing streak, going through 2 owners and 4 managers (Merkle having been fired twice) and 50 players who appeared on the roster at one time or another in the process. Stories of the colorful players, their frequent dismal performance on the field (particularly during the losing streak), plus the origins of Fred Merkle’s nickname of, “Bonehead” will be featured.

Miss Arlington Twirls: The Story of Lizzy (Stride) Arlington: Mahanoy City native, Elizabeth Stride, with the “stage name” of Lizzie Arlington, was the first woman to appear in an official game in organized baseball, throwing a shutout inning for thos Reading Coal Heavers against the hated Allentown Peanuts in an Atlantic League game on July 5, 1898. Now the subject of a separate exhibit in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Arlington/Stride has a permanent place in baseball history. Efforts of other women to play in organized baseball will also be discussed.

Reading’s First Two Pennants Winners: This presentation concerns the 1907 Reading Atlantics – an independently owned (colorfully referred to as an “outlaw” team at the time) – and their owner, Al Lawson, who promoted the construction of Lauer’s Park in 1907 as well as winning their league pennant that year. It also concerns the 1911 Reading Pretzels, who won the Tri-State League pennant – Reading’s first pennant in “organized baseball.” Discussed will be the background of the various failures of teams and leagues in Reading up to that time, as well as afterwards, as well as the collapse of a portion of Lauer’s Park during a 4th of July doubleheader in 1911. There is a lot of humor in the dimensions of failure involved in the early baseball experience in Reading that accompanied the eventual successes. .

The Berks County  Women of the All American Girls Professional  Baseball League (AAGPBL): Stories of the four women from Berks County who played in the “League of Their Own” AAGPBL: Fern Shollenberger, Alice Hoover, Amy Dunkelberger Jurasinski, and Ruth Kramer Hartman, and with the entire group who were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The stories behind each of these women, both before and after their time in the AAGPBL, are engaging and inspiring – including Ruth Kramer Hartman being named Queen of Baseball Town in 2008. 

Eddie Day: The Black Delahanty – “…But for the Color Rule…”: An 1899 article in a leading national baseball publication referred to Reading native Eddie Day, of African American descent, as “the Black Delahanty,” comparing him to Ed Delahanty, who was viewed as the top white baseball player at that time. With his baseball skills, Day “would have been in the National League long ago, but for the color rule.” Playing baseball professionally full time from the time he was 17, Day was talented enough to be invited to play for white teams, even though baseball was in the process of excluding African Americans, beginning his career with the all-white independent Reading Actives in 1891. After initially experiencing great success with the Actives, Day left the team at mid-season to begin a fifteen-year odyssey of playing for a series of all African American teams.  The presentation will focus on baseball in that era, following Day’s career, which sadly ended when he died of heart problems at the young age of 32.

Reading’s Big League Exhibition Games:  Stories of more than 90 occasions that major league teams played exhibition games in Reading between 1874 and 2016, the players involved- including appearances of such greats as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Rogers Hornsby, Christy Mathewson, and Larry Doby; the games played between the Philadelphia and Reading Phillies dating back to 1967; and the various teams that appeared here in addition to the Phillies, including the New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, and several others. Note: this is also the subject of the speaker’s published book, “Reading’s Big League Exhibition Games” (2015). 

When Satchel Paige Came to Town…and Nine Other “Negro League Legends” Who Also Played in Reading: Satchel Paige appeared in Reading on August 7, 1961, pitching in an “official Negro League game” between the Kansas City Monarchs and the Detroit Stars. The game was not only memorable because the then 55-year old Paige – billed as “An Ageless Wonder” – was already a baseball legend. He drew more fans to the ballpark that night than any Reading Indians games that season (except for “Pony Night” – we will talk a bit about that too). The presentation will go into what made Paige the legend that he was – being one of baseball’s all time greatest pitchers despite most of his career during the time when baseball was segregated. Also discussed will be Paige’s colorful comments in interviews with the reporters from the Reading newspapers. And – oh yes – we will also talk about the game that night which was charmingly disorganized – witness that the final score in the Reading Eagle was different than the final score in the Reading Times. Also discussed will be the interesting chain of events that lead up to Paige’s entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971 along with the background of Hall of Fame’s creation of the group of “Negro League Legends” now numbering 37, including Paige, as well as accounts of appearances in Reading by nine of those “Legends,” in addition to Paige.