The Berks History Center has welcomed back former BHC employee, Bradley K. Smith, as the new Archivist and Assistant Director, in charge of managing the archival collections at BHC’s Henry Janssen Library.
Having deep family roots in Reading, Smith often conducted genealogy research at the BHC throughout his teen years.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in History from Lock Haven University and a Master of Arts in History from Shippensburg University, Smith went on to work in a variety of roles with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission in Harrisburg, managing both artifact and archival collections from 2001 to 2016.
In 2016, Smith was approached to perform contract work for a new BHC Museum exhibit called, Building Berks. During that time, he also directed a comprehensive inventory of the BHC’s collection of historic artifacts. Later that year, Smith was hired as the Curator of the BHC Museum, where he remained until 2019.
Smith then returned to the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission as a Program Director from 2019 until 2021.
“I am thrilled to be back here in Berks County,” said Smith. “There is a sense of community and comradery here that is very special.”
Smith continued, “I look forward to working with this group of dedicated staff and volunteers, and I am eager to continue the work of documenting our library collections so that they are more accessible to the public.”
BHC staff, trustees and volunteers are equally enthusiastic to welcome Smith back into his new role.
“Bradley Smith is a respected historian with years of museum and archives experience and possesses a wealth of knowledge about our local history,” stated BHC Executive Director, Benjamin Neely. “We are so excited to welcome Bradley back to the Berks History Center to lead the archival work at the BHC Henry Janssen Library.”
