The Heidelberg Heritage Society

Wernersville, Pennsylvania
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MISSION STATEMENT

 

1.  To discover, collect and preserve materials, structures and landmarks which may help to establish, illustrate and arouse interest in the historic records of the areas comprised of Wernersville and surrounding townships commonly called the Heidelbergs.

2.  To maintain a museum and non-circulating historical library for the area. 

3.  To preserve and encourage the ethnic characteristics of the area.  

4.  To own, acquire, lease or mortgage any real estate helpful, necessary or incident to the purpose of the Corporation.

 

The Officers of the Society

 Rodney Daniels, President

Eric Knorr, First Vice President

Judith Kraines, Second Vice President

Phyllis Daniels, Membership and Correspondence Secretary

Diane Schuster, Treasurer

Mary Goshert, Recording Secretary

History of the Society
 
The Heidelberg Heritage Society, Wernersville PA was incorporated in September 1976 and acquired the Lerch Tavern in 1977.
 
  • The land, which is the site of the Lerch Tavern, was purchased in 1752.
  • John Yost Lerch constructed a two-story stone building on the site in 1797. The Mansard roof was added later by Benneville Lerch, a grandson of John Yost Lerch.
  • The Lerch Tavern was designed to serve stagecoach and other travelers of that time.
  • Following the Lerch family, Henry Binkley operated the tavern until 1825.
  • After the tavern was closed, the building was converted into living quarters for two families and later renovated to accomodate various business establishments.
  • The building is listed on
    the National Register of Historic Places, the Pennsylvania Inventory, and the Berks County Conservancy.


The Wernersville Train Station

  • Built in 1927 to replace a small frame structure which served as the Lebanon Valley Railroad passenger station beginning in 1857.
  • The existing station was served the Lebanon Valley Branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Company.
  • The Heidelberg Heritage Society is currently engaged in the restoration of the Passenger Station and it's platform in the interests of historic preservation.

  

Society Membership

 

Membership in the Heidelberg Heritage Society is open to U.S Citizens who are interested in helping to preserve local history, who are interested in searching their family geneology and who are interested in learning about the lives of local ancestors known as the Heidelbergers.

 

Annual Dues (January 1 to December 31)

          • $10.00 - Individual Membership
          • $18.00 - Household Memberhip
          • $25.00 - Sustaining Member
          • $50.00 - Patron
          • $175.00 - Lifetime Membership

 

Download A Membership Application

 

 

 Fundraisers - South Mountain Poster

THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN POSTCARD POSTER

  Proceeds to support Wernersville Station Restoration Fund

 

Please visit the following link for more information: South Mountain Poster