Early Exhibitions in Berks County

From Morton Montgomery's History of Berks County , Pennsylvania, published 1909, Page 158.

Exhibitions were given at Reading at an early day.

In October, 1791, a camel was exhibited at Jacob Grant's tavern.

In January, 1792, MrGrath's Company of comedians from Maryland and Virginia rendered the "Tragedy of Douglass, " "Farce of Barnaby Brittle," and other plays.

In January, 1799, a man named Salanca gave a "curious exhibition" in Barr's ballroom, consisting of legerdemain performances by himself, tricks by a learned dog, and a display of fire-works. Tickets for adults, 50 cents; for children, 25 cents.

In November, 1813, Purdy, Carly, and Bailey exhibited a menagerie of thirty living wild animals, including a lion and lioness, Arabian camels (male and female), llamas (male and female), hyena, Kangaroo, tiger, leopard, and panther.

On August 1, 1815, a whale was exhibited at the public house of William Jones; weight five thousand pounds. Admission, 12 1/2 cents; children, half price. This whale was caught in the Delaware River at Trenton on November 11, 1814.

On December, 1838, William Paulin, accompanied by a lady, ascended from Reading in a balloon named "Comet"; and in the following year, he made two successful ascensions.

Circuses gave numerous exhibitions and they were well patronized: and traveling dramatic troupes visited Reading, remaining a week at a time.

Contributed by Bonnie Blau.