Reading, Pennsylvania
Identify this mystery sled
We ask our readers to help Dave Mauger in his quest
Diamond in the rough: This sled served as a shelf before Mauger discovered it —photo by Dave Mauger
When Dave Mauger found the old sled pictured above, he was eager to find out more. It was located in the basement of a bar, where it had been neglected for some time.
“Formerly Rita’s in 1983, Pete Camarano bought and opened a little corner craft beer bar at 1101 N. 12th Street in Reading, Pennsylvania, calling it the Northeast Tap Room,” said Mauger. “The sled was in the basement. Pete used the 19’ 2” sled as a shelf to keep beer cases and boxes of beer glasses off the dirt floor. Two owners later (under Dennis Haddock), I got involved and said, ‘Let’s dig it out and ride it!’ ”
Planning to refurbish the sled and ride it this year, Mauger did dig it out, but he is hesitant to work on it given the lack of information he has on its origin.
Looking for answers: So far, there have been no identifying leads on this sled—photo by Dave Mauger
“Four weeks later, I still haven’t moved it, nor have I done any work on the sled,” he said. “It occurred to me that I might diminish its value if I do anything to it. I started to research the sled and can find no information on it. Our local Berks County Historical Society, library and museum have never seen or heard of such a thing. End of story. Here we are, still trying to figure out where it came from.”
Mauger asks to hear from anyone out there who might know something about this sled. We encourage our readers to contact him and help him determine the background information on this intriguing find.
“Thus far, the only identifiable marking found is the word ‘glory’ on the seat or bed if you will,” he said. “We believe the iron wheel leaning against the wall may have been used to steer the sled. If anyone would like to get in contact with us our website is www.netaproom.com. Direct email, physical address, and a Google map are on the website.”
