Professor Hamilton's Diary: Feb. 12, 1935

They visit a friend in Laureldale; Reading honors memory of Abe Lincoln

Professor Hamilton had some meetings during the day in addition to his classes. When he came home, he found Margaret and the children having tea with a Mrs. Fenili. They got the children down for the night — I wonder who looked after them? — and then he drove the ladies to visit a sick friend in nearby Laureldale.

Reading was observing Abraham Lincoln’s birthday today. The postcard above, of the grand hotel in downtown Reading that opened in 1930, is being offered on eBay. Its name was chosen in a public contest due to the Lincoln family’s connection to Berks County, which I write about below. The legendary composer and band leader John Philip Sousa died in his room at the hotel in 1932 while visiting Reading to conduct a concert.

Paid subscribers can read on to learn about the times when Feb. 12 wasn’t just a generic Presidents’ Day, but a real observance of a much-revered president.