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West Reading, Pennsylvania (U.S.)

Berks County

image by David Sigley, 13 May 2024
based on photo

Description of the flag
Seal

See also:

Description of the flag

The West Reading borough mayor send me a photo of the flag, which is a dark blue field with a modified version of the borough seal. Unfortunally, he did not give me any information about the flag itself, instead an article about the borough seal.
David Sigley, 10 May 2024

Seal

image located by David Sigley, 10 May 2024

In the same email with the flag photo, was an article by the Westside Weekly published on March 15, 2007, recalling the history of the borough seal, which originated from a contest back in 1940.

Origins of the Borough seal
Until recently, had an interested bystander asked what the items on the official West Reading Borough Seal actually meant, they might have received a typical answer: "I'll get back to you..." However, in the midst of several months of preparation for the 100th year anniversary gala of the borough scheduled for March 17, the "real story" about the creation of the official seal was re-discovered in the archives of the Borough Hall. The saga actually began 67 years ago as a patriotic way for the student body to become actively involved their own history. Consequently, the West Reading School System launched a contest in November of 1940 encouraging a talented student to create a unique seal depicting the borough's importance to the Greater Reading Area and Berks County. First place meant their seal would become the official borough coat of arms for posterity. Everyone attending public school in the borough was eligible to participate. The rules and requirements were constructed in cooperation with History, Library and Art Departments. The Borough Council and Manager H.F. Rickenbach served as the selection committee. additionally, they agreed to award monetary prizes of $5, $3, and $2 to the three top winners just prior to the Christmas Holiday. The design work was to be done solely by each contestant. The outside diameter of the circle was eight inches with an inscription "Borough of West Reading, PA." The inner circle was to say "Incorporated, March 18, 1907." Each Aspirant could avail themselves of the art room to work on their entry. All symbols had to be original, being defined and explained. To add to the excitement and civic pride, the local newspaper printed the crest of each finalist prior to the announcement of the winners.
When the proverbial "smoke cleared," twelve-year-old seventh grader Barbara Muhs emerged as the first prize winner. Burton A. Fleming captured second place and Richard Krick garnered third. To this day, the entries are still the property of West Reading Borough. Reportedly, Muhs' seal represents all of the attributes of this burgeoning community and her accompanying legend described the full meaning of the victorious entry. In the inner circle under the borough founding date was a keystone depicting the Commonwealth and an eagle perched above it, symbolizing the United States, On the left is the Pennsylvania state banner and the Old Glory 48 state flag on the right. At the top of keystone are two hemlock sprigs which portray the official state tree. Between the flags (from top left to right), is an open book depicting educational opportunities within the borough. Next is a tennis racket and ball symbolizing the ample recreation facilities. The spoked wheel represents industrial progress within West Reading and the house shows the "residential nature of the borough." In the years that past, there have been only a few minor alterations made to Barbara Muh's original seal.

Source of the image: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=144030881669012&set=a.144030851669015
David Sigley, 10 May 2024