Berks History Center

General information

The Berks History Center (BHC), founded in 1869, is a museum and research library (named the Henry Janssen Library) dedicated to preserving and sharing Berks County, PA’s unique cultural heritage. We showcase local history through a vast collection of artifacts and documents, educational programs, workshops, and community events. By preserving, archiving, and promoting our collection, we invite visitors to explore Berks County’s history firsthand, research their Berks County roots, and share with us their Berks County stories.

The BHC is open to both members and non-members. For non-members, our museum admission fee is $7 for ages 18-64, $5 for ages 65+, and $4 for children 4-17.

Our signature programs include: Second Saturday (every second Saturday of the month), the Berks History Conference, Four Centuries in Berks Historic Property Tour, Berks County Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Magical History Tour (annual celebration of the BCRRHOF), and the HJL Book Club (our research library’s book club).

We also publish a quarterly publication called “The Historical Review of Berks County,” a historical journal featuring articles from a variety of contributors and historians. A subscription to “The Historical Review” is included with most memberships.

You can learn more about us by visiting our website: www.berkshistory.org. Check out our blog “Berks County’s History Mysteries” at www.berkshistorymysteries.wordpress.com.