The Berks History Center (BHC) has hosted “Pilgrimages” since the early 20th century, and these jaunts involved horse-drawn wagons, locomotives, and automobiles to destinations throughout Berks County and beyond. In the 21st century, the BHC offers two or three multi-day trips throughout the year as well as one-day trips about every two or three months. Visiting museums, historic homes, and cultural institutions are the focus of these trips, which makes them unique compared to other organizations who run trips, and participants usually endearingly know each other as history “nerds,” “nuts” or “geeks.” Enjoying good food and drink in notable inns and taverns is often included, and it’s always extra fun if someone famous like Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson also ate at that restaurant.
The BHC is traveling to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 2-9, 2023, and this excursion includes tours of Acadia National Park, the harbor city of Charlottetown, and the legendary home of Anne of Green Gables. October 10-13, 2023, we’ll learn about “Locks, Lakes, and Legends,” with this package combining a boat tour of the Erie Canal with a narrated cruise of Seneca Lake, NY. The BHC celebrates the Christmas holidays with a visit to Fredericksburg, VA, December 1-4, 2023, and the historic houses of the George Washington family including his boyhood home Ferry Farm, the Mary Washington House, and Rising Sun Tavern.
It’s high tides and good vibes only with a one-day excursion to Long Beach Island, NJ, on June 24, 2023. The intriguing New Jersey Maritime Museum is located in the Beach Haven Historic District and houses the most extensive collection of maritime artifacts in the state. For more information about these “Pilgrimages” or other history programs and events, call the BHC at 610.375.4375 or email education@berkshistory.com.
Vicky Heffner
Berks History Center’s Education Curator
