The history of manufacturing in Berks County is now being told via poetry.
Jennifer Hetrick of Boyertown has embarked on a three year project, meeting with seniors across Berks County to hear their memories and reflections of their time spent working in mills or factories within the county.
The goal is to preserve memories and stories that would otherwise be lost, and to honor the seniors. “We wouldn’t have our history without them,” said Hetrick.
The second year – and second book – of this project are now underway, slated to print in August. Each book contains 25 poems. Each poem tells a different story. Copies of the first book – “the labors of our fingertips: poems from manufacturing history in berks county” – are still available while supplies last.
“I started meeting seniors that worked in these places, I wanted to share the interesting stories that no one was hearing,” said Hetrick. She personally loves hearing the stories and noted how the seniors warm up quickly. “They love that someone is asking questions.”
The first book tells many stories of workers of knitting mills, a shoe factory, hosiery mills, and a casket factory. For the second book, she plans to feature early automotive manufacturing, battery manufacturing, iron work for the Reading Railroad, and Sturgis Pretzels.
With each poem is listed the name of the person, their municipality, and the year they were born. “You know exactly who you’re reading about,” she said.
The poems are intentionally in lowercase format.
Hetrick is currently seeking a senior who has worked at the Bally Ribbon Mill, and also for folks in the Kutztown and Hamburg areas with a Berks manufacturing story to tell.
“There are some people I would have never met if other people didn’t reach out to recommend,” she said, explaining how there can be difficulties if a mill or factory is closed but also if it is still open and too busy to assist in a project such as this.
The process begins by finding appropriate individuals in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s to speak with, meeting with them to hear their stories, and then creating a poem from those details.
Once she gets about half of the poems developed, she begins holding poetry readings throughout the area. These readings lead up to the release of each book. She usually has at least one of the seniors from the project as a guest at the public readings so the audience can ask questions.
Hetrick says this project is “changing her life,” and added how she is learning a great deal from people she has spoken with. Since the first year – she has made more connections and it has not been as difficult to track down leads.
There’s a Facebook page and blog to share what she’s working on at any given time. Find the blog at <http://thelaborsofourfingertips.blogspot.com>. There is also a Go Fund Me page set up for donations to support the project or buy a book.
The project, in part, has been funded by two state grants received by working through the Berks Arts Council. Upon the completion of the first book, many copies were donated to local libraries and to those who shared their stories with her.
To contact Hetrick, e-mail thelaborsofourfingertips@yahoo.com or call 610-401-3392.
Coming up – Boyertown’s Studio B will be hosting a “Meet the Authors” event on March 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. Hetrick will be one of seven authors represented to share their work. The public is invited to attend this event.
