Berks County Parks & Recreation Announce Historic Distelfink Refurbishment

From Berks County Parks & Recreation Department

Photos courtesy of Jessica Chernich, Berks County Historic Resource Supervisor

The Berks County Parks & Recreation Department’s Distelfink statue at the Berks County Heritage Center recently got a ‘glow up’ and is now ready to charm visitors and be ‘Instagrammed’ for many years to come!

One of the most identifiable symbols of Berks County and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, the Distelfink was gifted to the county in 1985 from the Berks County Arts Council and sculpted by Ramon Lagos. Originally painted by Ruthanne Hartung, Stanley Seitz, and Johnny Claypoole, the statue was repainted in 2006 by Shannon Haig and Eric Claypoole and by Claypoole again in 2016.

During the most recent restoration in May, the historic bird was cleaned and primed before a complete repainting, base refurbishment, and garden installation.

The Parks Department is thankful for the community partners who contributed to the project. Their expertise and talents are now on display for years to come.

• Painters (2025) – Eric Claypoole, Patrick Donmoyer, and Andrew Shirk applied bright, fresh colors.
• Mason – Dane Clay refurbished the concrete base.
• Gardeners – Penn State Extension Master Gardeners under the direction of Gail Less and Linda Buerger designed, planted, and will maintain the dye garden at the statue’s base.
• The project was made possible with funding from Pennsylvania’s Americana Region.

And now, the Distelfink is ready for its next close-up! Visit it any day at the Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Reading. For more information on the Berks County Heritage Center’s operating hours and times, call 610-374-8839. To learn more about programming in the Berks County Parks, please check our website at www.berkspa.gov/parks or Facebook @BerksCountyParks.

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Source: bctv