Author Archives: John Updike Society

Updike museum director receives Distinguished Service Award

Posted on October 26, 2025 by John Updike Society

Maria Lester, director of The John Updike Childhood Home, was honored for “extraordinary work as Education Director and Director” at the only museum dedicated to the two-time Pulitzer Prize winning writer and famous Berks County resident. Lester, who co-directed the … Continue reading →

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Updike Childhood Home receives NEH grant

Posted on August 6, 2025 by John Updike Society

Maria Lester, director of The John Updike Childhood Home that is owned and operated by the 501c3 John Updike Society, received word recently that the museum at 117 Philadelphia Ave. in Shillington, Pa. was awarded a $25,000 Chairman’s Grant from … Continue reading →

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Updike’s Buchanan painting now on display

Posted on July 12, 2025 by John Updike Society

Even if you visit The John Updike Childhood Home & Museum frequently, there are still surprises at the house on 117 Philadelphia Ave. in Shillington, Pa.—open most Saturdays from 12-2pm. Now on display in the second-floor hallway, opposite “The Brown … Continue reading →

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Updike’s dogwood doggedly persists

Posted on June 28, 2025 by John Updike Society

The dogwood tree (right) that Updike’s parents planted on his first birthday is still alive and well, thanks to excellent care from Pete Giangiulo, who is trying to coax an “offspring” from the tree, via air layering. Planted in April … Continue reading →

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Updike house now sports a 1932 hex sign

Posted on June 28, 2025 by John Updike Society

Small museums love their donors, and a big thanks goes out to John Gerber and family for the donation of a large hex sign, jug, and other objects painted by famed Berks County “hexologist” Johnny Ott. Ott spent 19 years … Continue reading →

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Updike ‘Still Life’ paintings now on display

Posted on June 19, 2025 by John Updike Society

John Updike’s children recently donated more one-of-a-kind objects to The John Updike Childhood Home & Museum, among them two still life paintings that their father and mother had painted side-by-side while Updike was a student at the Ruskin School of … Continue reading →

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McDonnell leads creative writing class at the Updike house

Posted on May 28, 2025 by John Updike Society

Maria McDonnell, who has taught college writing for 20 years and received a Pushcart nomination for her poem “Joyride,” taught a creative writing class at the Updike house on March 15, 2025. The Updike family hoped that the house would … Continue reading →

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Muhlenberg H.S. students visit Updike house

Posted on May 28, 2025 by John Updike Society

AP literature students from Muhlenberg High School enjoyed touring the John Updike Childhood Home with their teacher, Mr. Burkart, on May 21, 2025.

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Governor Mifflin H.S. teachers donate winnings to Updike House

Posted on May 28, 2025 by John Updike Society

Governor Mifflin High School teachers and students appeared on Season 5, Episode 24 of The ClassH-Room game show, which airs on Fox29-Philadelphia. Students Rachel, Gianna, and Jacob faced off against their favorite teachers—Mr. Kurtz, Mr. Maurer, and Mr. McGovern—in a … Continue reading →

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Twin Valley H.S. volunteers tend Updike house garden

Posted on May 28, 2025 by John Updike Society

There are many ways of volunteering to help at The John Updike Childhood Home, owned and operated as a museum by the 501c3 non-profit John Updike Society. On May 12, National Honor Society members from Twin Valley High School volunteered … Continue reading →

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