The museum collection began in 1913 as a teaching collection for local schoolchildren using specimens brought back by world travelers.
The institution houses an authentic Egyptian mummy dating back to the Ptolemaic period.
The arboretum grounds were designed by the same landscape architects responsible for the Philadelphia Museum of Art's exterior spaces.
It is one of the few accredited museums in the United States that was originally founded by a public school district.
The facility contains a significant collection of 19th-century American and European masterworks, including pieces by John Singer Sargent.
The museum's planetarium was the first of its kind in the region to utilize high-definition digital projection systems.
The Neag Planetarium dome is 30 feet in diameter and utilizes a full-dome video system for educational screenings.
The museum building is situated on the site of a former limestone quarry.
The Reading Public Museum is a dual-focus institution blending fine art with natural history, anthropology, and science exhibits. It occupies a historic building originally constructed in 1911 and expanded significantly throughout the 20th century. The permanent collection features over 12,000 objects, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to American and European paintings. A notable highlight is the Neag Planetarium, which offers immersive astronomical shows. The museum grounds include the 25-acre Arboretum, featuring diverse botanical specimens and outdoor sculptures. The facility maintains a partnership with the Reading School District, reflecting its origins as an educational resource for students. Specialized rotating exhibitions frequently highlight regional history and contemporary artistic movements. It remains one of the few museums in the United States that serves as a combined public school museum and community cultural hub.
The elevated terrace overlooking the Arboretum with the museum's historic facade in the background.
Combine your indoor gallery tour with a walk through the 25-acre Arboretum grounds during clear weather.
Check the planetarium schedule upon arrival, as shows run at specific intervals separate from the general museum galleries.
Allocate extra time for the rotating temporary exhibitions, which often feature traveling collections not found elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
Attempting to visit the entire complex and the arboretum in under two hours; the grounds are extensive and require significant walking.
Closed on certain major holidays and occasionally for private events.
Photography without flash is permitted for personal use in permanent galleries; food and drink are restricted to designated cafe areas.
