Berks County Heritage Center

The Berks County Heritage Center is a historic park that encompasses two museums, the Gruber Wagon Works, a National Historic Landmark, and the C. Howard Hiester Canal Center. Tours of the museums are offered seasonally May through October along with several programs and special events hosted throughout the year.

In addition, the site is home to several historical structures including Wertz’s Covered Bridge, Melcher's Grist Mill, Deppen Cemetery, Bicentennial Eagle Memorial, Fraternal Order of Police Memorial, Doctor's Grove, the Distlefink sculpture, an herb garden, Mildred the houseboat, the Epler’s One Room School House (maintained/operated by the Friends of the Epler’s One Room School House), and many historic farm buildings related to the site’s previous use.

Exhibits

Tours of the Gruber Wagon Works will be offered at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

During the day, witness a rare, first ever public demonstration of the Gruber Wagon Works line shaft-belt system and the demonstration of the Wagon Works’ hit-and-miss 15 horsepower Otto Engine that served as the main power source for the factory. The engine and belt line-shaft system remained functional throughout the factory’s operation, running numerous machines and equipment. Experience the Wagon Works ‘come to life’ during this unique demonstration.

Belt-Running Demonstrations will be at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Otto Engine Demonstrations will be at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.