Diner Day offers a slice of iconic Berks County history

The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles hosted the return of one of the Museum’s most-loved events — Diner Day.

“Diner Day gives our patrons a chance to appreciate and enjoy an iconic piece of Berks County history,” said Michaela Zaborowski, museum community engagement coordinator. “We hear stories all the time from guests who worked in Fegely’s or ate there and have fond family memories of the place.”

Guests could sit inside the preserved Fegely’s Reading Diner and enjoy coffee and homemade pie. Coffee and pie were available for purchase at 1938 prices —that means a nickel for a cup of coffee and a quarter for a slice of pie. Hot chocolate, tea, and milk were available for younger patrons.

In addition to pie and coffee, visitors had full access to the museum’s historic collection. Docents were on hand to answer questions about the vehicles and provide insight into the rare machines on display.

Visitors also had the opportunity to watch blacksmithing demonstrations in the original Jeremiah Swinehart Carriage Factory, which is part of the museum’s galleries and is open to the public daily.

Zaborowski estimated a few hundred people came out for the event.

“Guests seem to enjoy the full slate of activities at the museum on Diner Day. We were fortunate this year to have both blacksmithing and machine shop demonstrations,” she said.

Fegely’s Reading Diner is a fondly remembered icon in Berks County. Built in 1938 by the Jerry O’Mahony Company of Elizabeth, N.J., it was a freestanding establishment along Route 422 in Exeter Township until 1950, when owner Howard Fegely moved it across the road and built his Fegely’s Family Restaurant around it.

“Well-protected for the next 53 years, the Reading Diner weathered beautifully, despite the hustle and bustle of the diners, cooks, and waitstaff surrounding it,” according to a museum press release.

Following the restaurant’s closing in 2003, the original diner was rescued by the Archbury Foundation, and, in 2008, the Foundation graciously donated the building to the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, where it sits today and delights visitors of all ages.

The Nov. 4 event was the first Diner Day hosted by the museum since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a brief closure of its doors.

Diner Day is made possible in part thanks to Dice’s Creative Cakes, Sweet Street Desserts and Corropolese Italian Bakery & Deli.

The museum plans to host Diner Day again next year. Updates will be posted at boyertown museum.org.

A nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by Paul and Erminie Hafer, the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, located at 85 S. Walnut St., preserves and displays examples of Pennsylvania’s road transportation history in the former factory buildings of the Boyertown Auto Body Works. More than 90 locally manufactured cars, trucks, carriages, bicycles, and motorcycles are on display, as well as two examples of roadside architecture — the diner and a 1921 cottage-style Sunoco gas station.

The museum is open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and AAA members, and ages 15 and under get in free. For more information, call 610-367-2090 or visit boyertownmuseum.org.

Source: Berkshire mont