Thanks to a grant from the United Way of Berks County, the 20-member Berks County Search and Rescue team is now internationally recognized as a Certified Autism Center.
Epler Schoolhouse, which was saved from demolition and moved to the Berks County Heritage Center last year, will open to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The one-room schoolhouse opening is the first event held by the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department since the pandemic forced cancelation of programming more than a year ago.Â
In addition to several programs this weekend, the Parks and Recreation Department will be giving a historic walking tour of the grounds of the Berks County Heritage Center starting at 1 p.m. The tour will highlight many of the still existing farm buildings as well as the on-site historical features and attractions.
Beads of sweat trickled from Alan Schaefferâs forehead Monday morning as he nailed one cedar shingle after another onto the roof of Epler schoolhouse.
âThey didnât have modern materials and power tools when this was built,â Schaeffer said, balancing on the scaffold, hammer in hand.
The historic one-room school, built in 1847, was moved last year from its original location on Van Reed Road in Bern Township to the Berks Heritage Center also in Bern.
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The move was just the start, said Jane Goetz, chairwoman of the Friends of Epler Schoolhouse, the group responsible for saving the 175-year-old building.