Club History

The Reading Liederkranz, one of eleven local German organizations in the late 1800's, was organized as a German Singing Society on July 23, 1885. For the first seventeen years the singers practiced in a number of rented facilities throughout Reading. Finally on March 26, 1902 property at 833-835 Chestnut Street was purchased. In 1909 the building was razed, and a new club house was built, designed to be a singing hall. The new building was dedicated on the occasion of the 5th Sangerfest of the United Singers of Pennsylvania, June 19-22, 1910. The Chestnut Street building was the clubs home for the next 88 years. In 1990 the current property was purchased, at 143 Spook Lane.

Today, with over 1,300 members, the Reading Liederkranz comprises five sections: The Reading Liederkranz Singer's, established July 23, 1885; the Germania Soccer Club, established April 26, 1926; the Gebirgs-Trachtenverein Edelweiss, established in 1949; the Eagle Mountain Home, established July 10, 1902 (joining the club as a section in 1990); and the Ladies Auxiliary.

The club house is nestled on a beautiful 10.2 acre property perched very near the top of Mount Washington, offering ample parking and Berks Counties premier outdoor grove and festival facility. The club house has a dining room seating 160 guests, a stage, a large dance floor and a separate bar and Rathskeller. Our outdoor facilities include an outside kitchen, bar, two large pavilions, a large wooden dance floor, and bier garden, a children's play area, and seating to accommodate more than 1,000 people.

The Reading Liederkranz, now in it's 127th year, is proud to uphold German traditions - language, culture, cuisine, sports and family. Our activities are many and diverse: Faschings, Bochbier celebrations, Christkindlmarkt and the largest authentic Oktoberfest in Berks County - one of the largest on the east coast of the United States. Many events are open to the public. We invite you to join us!