The Knitting Mills, located at 739 Reading Avenue in West Reading, was once one of the largest outlet shopping centers in the world, and one of the original factory outlet complexes which made Reading the Outlet Capital of the World! The massive buildings that remain once made up the world’s largest knitting mills, Wyomissing Industries.
Wyomissing Industries was comprised of three major companies, Narrow Fabric, Textile Machine Works, and Berkshire Knitting Mills. It was founded in 1892 by Ferdinand Thun and Henry Janssen, two enterprising immigrants from the same town in Germany. The companies rapidly put Reading on the map as the undisputed world leader in the production of women’s hosiery and the machinery on which it was manufactured.
For several generations, Wyomissing Industries offered employment opportunities for countless local citizens. In addition, they also provided training to thousands of industrial engineers through their educational arm, which still operates today as the Berks Campus of Penn State University. Wyomissing Industries trained professionals have contributed to the success of various industries throughout the United States and beyond for decades. The legacy of Wyomissing Industries will be felt by the residents of our community for many years to come.
The Berks History Center Museum, located at 940 Centre Avenue in Reading, has a wonderful display of Wyomissing Industries in its Trades to Industries Gallery. The BHC Henry Janssen Research Library also has information about Wyomissing Industries, including photographs and letters. Our hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM.
written by Rick Polityka
The Berks History Center
