PENNSBURG PA – The Butter Valley once was home to an individual known as “The Birdman.” Learn why Wednesday (Aug. 14, 2024), during a “Brown Bag Lecture” in Pennsburg.
“The Birdman” was Ralph W. Berky, who died in 1977 at the age of 87. He was a dedicated naturalist, an artist who created hand-illustrated post cards, and a poet. He regularly combined his love of all three in contributions to the Butter Valley area, the Rev. Bob Gerhart explains.
Berky’s most “eccentric” trait? He often would walk through the valley covered by a long overcoat, the pockets of which were filled with birdseed. It’s how he earned his Birdman nickname.
Gerhart, a Bally resident and interim pastor of Springfield Mennonite Church, will talk about Berky and the stories surrounding him during the noon Wednesday gathering at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary St. His talk is available both in person at the library, or virtually using Zoom conferencing software.
Call 215-679-3103 or send an e-mail to info@schwenkfelder.org to either reserve a seat or get the Zoom link. Admission to Brown Bag Lectures this year are offered free, thanks to the sponsorship of KeyBank.
The library and heritage center is regularly open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Admission to its exhibits or research in the library also is free.
Photo provided to Travels With The Post by the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center
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