Fastnacht Day in the Reading Diner
The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is thrilled to announce that it will once again celebrate Fastnacht Day in the beautifully restored 1938 Reading Diner.
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can enjoy a traditional Pennsylvania German fastnacht for a quarter and a cup of coffee for a nickel in the Reading Diner. Due to major construction projects taking place in the gallery last year, the Boyertown Museum was unable to host this event in 2017. We’re proud to have it return in 2018. This event is included with regular admission.
The historic Reading Diner was built in 1938 by the Jerry O’Mahony Company of Elizabeth, N.J. Constructed to look like a rail car, the Reading Diner operated as a freestanding eatery along Route 422 in Exeter Township. Owner Howard Fegely expanded his business in 1950 by building a restaurant around the Reading Diner. Fegely’s Family Restaurant was a popular Berks eating establishment up until it closed in 2003. The Reading Diner was saved, and in 2008 found a new home in the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. While the Reading Diner is open as a display year-round, special events where visitors can enjoy classic Pennsylvania Dutch food are held only a few times a year.
The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Museum, located at 85 South Walnut St., Boyertown, in a former factory building of the Boyertown Auto Body Works, preserves the transportation history of Pennsylvania and displays over 90 locally manufactured cars, trucks, carriages, motorcycles, sleighs, and other types of vehicles.
Also on display are two examples of roadside architecture: a 1921 cottage style Sunoco gas station and the 1938 Jerry O’Mahony diner. The restored 1872 Jeremiah Sweinhart Carriage Factory is also located on site and open select days every month and by appointment. Currently, the Museum is featuring a special display of eight American Austin and Bantam autos from the 1930s and 1940s, which were based on the English Austin and built in Butler, Pa.
Admission rates are $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and AAA, and ages 15 and under are free. For more information, call 610367-2090 or visit www.boyertownmuseum.org.