Flashing LED lights, hydraulic rescue tools and turntable ladders are standard equipment for firefighters these days, but it wasn’t always like that. The Reading area has a rich history of firefighting few know about. To learn more about the history of firefighting in Berks County we spoke with Fire Historian and retired Fire Chief Wiliam Rehr of the Reading Area Firefighters Museum.

The Reading Area Firefighters Museum is one of Reading’s little hidden treasures you may have unknowingly passed. It sits on the corner of South 5th Street and Laurel Street in the former Liberty fire house building.

The Liberty Fire Company building was constructed in 1854. At the time it faced 5th street. However, after its renovation in 1876 the building was redesigned with two large bays facing Laurel Street. Rehr says this is why the address is 501 south 5th and not Laurel Street. Not only did the renovation include a redesign on the lower levels, but also the addition of a 3rd floor which replaced the bell tower at the top of the building.

Today, 20 volunteers from various fire companies around Berks County serve the nonprofit organization and historic fire house. Most of their tour groups come from schools, daycare’s and senior centers. Althought, you don’t have to be in a group to visit, the museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am – noon. “That’s why we’re here, to preserve the history of firefighting in Reading and Berks County” says Rehr.

Stepping inside the former firehouse is like going back in time. Right as you walk in you are greeted by 2 vintage fire trucks. One which was built in 1937 and is in perfect working order. Purchased by the museum in December of 2016, it is mainly used for parades, event displays and the occasional pump demonstration.

Another obsolete, yet fascinating piece of technology on the main floor is an 1873 fire box and fire alarm system. Back in the day about 200 of the fire boxes were spread throughout the City of Reading. “If a fire was on your block you would run to the corner and pull the tab on the fire box” says Rehr.

Its a pretty ingenious system for its time. Each box sends a signal via telegraph wire to the Fire Station. Their, it would punch out a tape and alert the fire station and sound corresponding bells.

The number generated by the box would match the number on a display board in the station, thus showing where in the city the department should respond. With no electricity in the city, the fire boxes operated by spring loaded gears which had to be wound by hand. “It was the drivers duty to reset the box after the fire” said Rehr.

Touring the building Rehr was quick to show off the museum’s best pieces including a display of a special collection of fire helmets from every fire station in the City of Reading. Originally owned by the fire chief of Elverson Fire Department Tom Hess. The display sits in refurbished cabinets from a candy store formerly located on Penn Street.

Visiting the 2nd floor bring you to the John Wannamaker Room. Named after Wannamaker because the room is full of furniture from his 1876 centennial display in Fairmount Park Philidelphia.

The 2nd floor hosts a grand piano, chandelier and fireplace with a few gifts from other fire companies including a Sterling Silver replica of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and sailing schooner. The piece was given to the Liberty Fire company from the Atlantic City Fire Company in 1895.

Moving up to the third floor visitors will find several large display cabinets (donated by the Reading Public Museum) featuring 14 fire companies in the city of Reading plus a few from other Berks Fire companies.

In addition to the Fire company display cases, the 3rd floor also features a display of two generations of communications equipment, everything from radio’s, dispatcher equipment to phones.

Whether your a history buff or not it’s definitely worth the trip to the Reading Area Firefighters Museum.

501 South 5th Street and Laurel Street, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601.

Thirty-five years after the groundbreaking, Michael Bennett, musical wowed Broadway audiences, Genesius, proudly presents, the regional premier of the electrifying, Motown-inspired, six-time Tony Award, and also, Olivier, Grammy and Oscar winning musical, Dreamgirls, that opens Friday, August 4th and running thru August 19th! Book & Lyrics by Tom Eyen & Music by Henry Krieger.

Loosely based on, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the story follows the turbo-charged rise to fame of the Dreams. Dreamgirls celebrates the advent of R&B in the 1960s with a Motown-inspired score, dynamic performances, and a moving look behind-the-scenes of the entertainment business. Experience all the onstage-joy and backstage-drama as an up-and-coming girl-group learns hard lessons about love, trust, and what it takes to make your way to the top!

This modern-day classic sparkles with almost as many awards and accolades as its costumes have sequins. Take a trip back to the seminal music scene of the 1960s, when young women sang their way to musical prominence in a man’s world. Set in the Motown era that brought us powerhouse voices like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross—and ultimately Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé— Dreamgirls explodes from the stage with legendary songs and timeless appeal.

Dreamgirls takes you on a journey through the evolution of American music and it’s influence by the African American culture. As a predominantly black cast with three female leads, Dreamgirls addresses the issues of sex and race. In an industry dominated by men, Effie, Lorrell and Deena quickly learn how to navigate through the music industry and become powerful black women.

With music set in the 60’s and 70’s the influence of World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Power Movement are all relevant within this musical. After World War II, blacks from the south began to emerge up north and to western cities seeking escape from the harsh Jim Crow Laws. Rhythm and Blues was born out of the need for blacks to express themselves creatively while demanding to be heard. The tension during the Civil Rights movement inspired unity amongst blacks to thrive in a business where mostly whites were successful. Black artists were determined to make music that would break racial boundaries.

The Black Power movement emphasized black-power and black-pride that eventually helped launch careers that propelled African-American music to become accessible to all audiences. Dreamgirls is a celebration of the music that helped build the foundation of many artists we have come to love. Through every dance, and every song, we pay homage to those who risked their lives to transform a nation with music.

Featuring such musical hits as, “AND, I’M TELLING YOU”, “ I AM CHANGING”, “HARD TO SAY GOODBYE”, & “DREAMGIRLS”, audiences fall in love with this time-honored musical! As they sing in the show… “Dreamgirls will never leave you… all you got to do is dream, baby, and we’ll be there!”

The Genesius production is directed by Genesius artistic producer, L J Fecho, associate directed by Christopher Sperat, music directed/conducted by Kevin Cooper and choreographed by Jericho Joy of Monarch Dance Studio. Set design by, L J Fecho, Brad Hafer & Brandon Kegerize, light design by, Spencer Moss Fecho Julia Elberfeld & L J Fecho, costumes design by, Cathy Miller & Dara Himes, hair/makeup design by, Kim Siegel of United Artist Salon and sound design by, Albert Garcia. The set is constructed by John Bigos, Betty Gerstner, and Brandon Kegerize. The production is stage managed by Sarah Kiebach.

The Genesius production features a diverse cast of approximately thirty talented actors, singers and dancers. REGGIE BROWN of “BUNCH OF FUNK” (local R & B band) will play the James Brown-inspired character, James Thunder Early. THE DREAMS – The cast includes two very talented newcomers who hail from Easton, PA & Phillipsburg, NJ, who are making the trip to Berks, for every rehearsal and performance. Kiyanna Cox Jones will portray the tumultuous Effie White and Veronica Cummings is the flirtatious, Lorrell Robinson. Yesenia Mora, is back at Genesius, after her excellent performance as Danielle, in last summer’s mega-hit, In The Heights, in the role of Deena Jones, (loosely based on legendary singer, Dianna Ross)! Susie DeBooth, portrays Michelle Morris, the new back-up singer, who pushes Effie White out of the Dreams. The cast also includes: Nick Freer, as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Calvin Scott, as Marty, DeShaun Williams, as C. C. White, Anthony Disla, as Wayne, and Carroll Woodbridge, as Frank.