On Friday, August 27, 2021, the Berks History Center (BHC) unveiled a new exhibit in collaboration with Albright College’s Black Cultural Collection and Resource Center (BCCRC) titled, ‘On My Honor’ – The Remarkable Life of Clarence L. Hubert.
In 2018, Albright College received the entire collection of artifacts and archival records from the Central Pennsylvania African American Museum (CPAAM). For the past two years, museum staff and interns have been performing a comprehensive inventory of the collection, cataloging over 2,500 objects that exhibit an expansive history of local and national African American culture.
The collection’s permanent storage and exhibition space will exist in Albright College’s Library, which is scheduled to complete renovations and open in Fall 2023. In the meantime, BCCRC and the BHC have partnered to draw attention to some of the local stories found within the collection.
The first Berks countian story that was chosen to be shared pays tribute to local community mentor and leader, Clarence L. Hubert.
Clarence grew up as a Reading native in the early 1900s. At 12 years old, he joined the Boy Scouts of America at the old Washington Street Presbyterian Church at Mulberry and Washington streets. He remained a Boy Scout for an impressive 82 years. During his tenure, Hubert received many distinguished honors, awards, and achievements— many of which are on display in the new exhibit.
Besides his nearly life-long service as a Boy Scout, Hubert also served in the United States Army during World War II, and later became a dedicated employee of the Reading Railroad. His earliest position was janitorial, but during his 45 years of employment, Clarence was promoted on several occasions until he retired in 1974 as a car inspector.
After his retirement, Hubert increased his involvement with the community, including becoming an adviser to Frank L. Gilyard Sr.(1930-2013), founder of CPAAM.
“The opportunity to share the lifetime achievements of Clarence Hubert as the first collaborative exhibition between the BHC and Albright College’s BCCRC has been a true honor,” said BHC Museum Curator, Amber Vroman. “Mr. Hubert was a steadfast example of humility and dedication to the betterment of his Berks County community and beyond. May we learn to lead by his example for the promise of a better tomorrow.”
Visitors can view the ‘On My Honor’ – The Remarkable Life of Clarence L. Hubert exhibit during the BHC Museum’s hours of operation from Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The collection will be on display in the lobby of the BHC through the end of February, 2022.
Please call the BHC at (610) 375-4375 with any questions.
