Berks County Genealogical Society

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Join us for a movie in the Teen Loft TOMORROW at 4:00! Call or stop by the Teen Loft with any questions.

03/27/2026

There have been 433 dams removed in Pennsylvania since 1912, including 14 last year, the most of any state.

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

Quarry Men at Devil's Den Gettysburg battlefield. Rocks were quarried out of the Devil's Den area for decades during the last half of the 19th century until the area was preserved. Original unpublished photo from The Gettysburg Museum Of History archives.
For more on the collections at The Gettysburg Museum Of History see:
www.GettysburgMuseumOfHistory.com

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

📜✨ Women’s History Month – Berks County Spotlight ✨📜

Today we highlight a remarkable Berks County woman whose legacy still shapes our community:

🌟 Maria Louise Baldwin (1856–1922)

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Maria Louise Baldwin became one of the most influential educators of her time.

👩‍🏫 Breaking Barriers in Education
Baldwin made history when she became the first Black woman to serve as principal of a predominantly white school in Cambridge. She led the Agassiz School with such excellence that enrollment grew and the school expanded under her leadership.

📚 A Leader in Learning
She later became a master of education (head of multiple schools)—a role few women held at the time. Baldwin was known for her high academic standards and dedication to her students.

⚖️ Advocate for Equality
Beyond education, Baldwin was active in civil rights and women’s causes, working toward greater opportunities for both African Americans and women during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

🏡 Berks County Roots
Though her career flourished in Massachusetts, her story begins right here in Reading, making her an important figure in both local and national history.

✨ Maria Louise Baldwin’s life reminds us that Berks County women have long been leaders, educators, and trailblazers.

03/27/2026

📜✨ This Day in Berks County History – March 27 ✨📜

Let’s step back in time and see what was happening across Berks County on this day—from community life to crime, railroads, and even national headlines!

🧵🪡 Quilting & Community Life
Winter brought neighbors together for quilting parties across rural Berks County. These gatherings weren’t just about sewing they were social events filled with friendship, storytelling, and shared tradition. A true reminder of how tight-knit these communities were.

🏘️ 🎭 Womelsdorf on the Move
Womelsdorf was buzzing with activity entertainments, home improvements, and church events filled the calendar. Families gathered, homes were updated, and the town continued to grow and thrive.

⛪ 🙌 Mission House Gathering
A large crowd filled the Mission House for a special service, showing just how important faith and fellowship were in everyday Berks County life.

🚂 ⚠️ Railroad Dangers
A freight train worker was injured while working near the tracks highlighting the very real dangers faced by railroad workers who kept industry moving across Pennsylvania.

⚒️ 📢 Labor Movements Rising
Organized labor groups were actively meeting and pushing for better working conditions. These efforts were part of a larger movement that would shape workers’ rights for generations.

🚨 🔩 Kutztown Theft Mystery
A string of brass thefts including items from churches and businesses had residents concerned. Even plumbing fixtures weren’t safe! Authorities were working to solve the case.

🚗 😴 A 10-Year-Old’s Scary Ride
A young girl from Reading fell asleep in a car… and woke up far from home! Thankfully, she was safely returned, but it was quite the frightening adventure.

🕵️‍♂️ 📄 Forgery Case in Court
A merchant faced serious charges after being accused of passing forged checks. The case involved deception, stolen goods, and a courtroom showdown.

🪖 🇺🇸 Local Soldier in the News
Corporal Derrol W. Wagner of Reading was reported missing during military service bringing concern to the local community as families awaited news.

⚖️ ✊ Civil Rights Case Makes Headlines
In a nationally significant story, individuals were held in connection with civil rights violations showing how events far beyond Berks County still made an impact in local newspapers.

03/27/2026

Patients will be entered to win a health and wellness prize pack valued at $150.00 if they mention while scheduling or completing their annual mammogram at Tower Health’s locations in Berks, Montgomery, and Chester counties now through Tuesday, March 31.

03/26/2026

Thank you to Customers Bank for being a BCTV 50th Anniversary Sponsor! 🎉 In addition to supporting our anniversary, Customers Bank is also the power behind our Podcast Studio 🎙️ — thanks for believing in the strength of community media. 💙