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Reading

Reading contains a wealth of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, many noted for their elaborate use of decorative glass and wrought iron, in its five historic districts: Callowhill, which centers on the city's commercial area; Prince, which contains preserved 19th-century workers' homes, factories and commercial structures; Centre Park, which displays some of the city's finest Victorian structures; Penn's Common; and Queen Anne.

On the east side of Reading on the summit of Mount Penn is the Pagoda , a seven-story 1908 Japanese building that affords panoramas of the city and the Schuylkill Valley. About 8 miles northwest via SR 183 is the Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area.

The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts , (610) 374-4600, is an art gallery where you can watch artists at work; there also is a theater that shows foreign and independent films. The site comprises several buildings at the intersection of Washington and 2nd streets and includes the former Thomas A. Wilson & Co. factory, a company that produced optical glass in the late 19th century. The company quickly expanded its horizons to become an innovator in occupational safety products, the first of which was a protective lens to protect the vision of those working in metal processing. The front desk offers maps of the galleries. Guided tours are offered; phone for schedule.

Visitor Centers

Pennsylvania's Americana Region Visitor Center 201 Washington St. Reading, PA 19601. Phone:(610)375-4085 or (800)443-6610

Shopping

Boscov's and Burlington Coat Factory anchor Fairgrounds Square Mall, 3050 N. Fifth Street Hwy.

Things to Do

Berks County Heritage Center

C. Howard Hiester Canal Center

Gruber Wagon Works

Berks History Center

Mid-Atlantic Air Museum

Reading Public Museum

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