The Reading Public Museum’s guided tours are designed to present a rich visual experience, increase students’ perception and analytical skills, and enrich school curriculum. Gallery Teachers engage students in active looking and discussions by focusing on approximately 2-4 objects on a 30-minute tour. The guided tour is planned and developed according to the information you provided to the Gallery Teacher at the time of scheduling.

See School Tour Topics (listed below). The tours are listed by galleries- the subject matter is adjusted by grade level.

Interactive Gallery Carts

Ask to include a Gallery Cart in your guided tour for an interactive experience. Each Gallery Cart includes objects that you may touch. Gallery Cart topics include the following:

Antiquities
Asian Treasure Chest
Painting
Science
The First Peoples (North America)
Latin America
Pacific Islands
Africa, Islam
Pennsylvania German

Self-Guided School Tours
Scheduling a Tour

Planning to lead a self-guided tour at the Reading Public Museum? Schedule your visit at least four weeks in advance by filling out the school tour form and e-mailing it to the Museum. Groups of fifty or fewer are permitted to self-guide during a one-hour time slot and are scheduled based on space availability. All groups must follow Museum regulations and are responsible for supplying one adult chaperone for every ten students.

If you are planning to conduct a self-guided tour you should come to the Museum before the visit so that you will be adequately prepared. Call Ann Corso at 610.371.5850 ext. 227 to receive free admission for the group co-coordinator for your pre-visit. You can also look at the resources for teachers for information for your visit.

School Tour Topics *
* Exhibits change on a regular basis and often necessitate the closing of a gallery for a period of time. Thus some tours may be unavailable during certain exhibits or changing exhibits.

Animal Homes (Science Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: Pre K- Grade 6
Description: The program introduces the concept of habitats in the Museum’s Natural History Gallery.
Gallery cart: Natural science

Art Around Europe (European Gallery 19th Century to Modern)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4-12
Description: The European 19th – 20th Century Gallery showcases art from a time of momentous occasions, which helped to create the present state of the world.

Art of Asia (Asian Art Gallery, 2nd Floor)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: K–12
Description: Explore the Far East on this dynamic tour through Asian art and history. Discover the mysteries of the Orient on this cultural quest through Asia.
Gallery Cart: Asian Treasure Chest

Asia (Asian Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: K–12
Description: Explore the Far East on this dynamic tour through Asian art and history. Discover the mysteries of the Orient on this cultural quest through Asia.
Gallery Cart: Asian Treasure Chest

Art Smart (American and 20th Century Galleries)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 3-12
Description: An introduction to color, shape, form, and types of paintings.
Gallery cart: Art materials

Earth, Rocks, and Fossils (Science Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 3-8
Description: This program is taught in the Science Gallery, and is an introduction to studying rocks and minerals.
Gallery cart: Earth science

Echoes of the First Peoples (North American Indian Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 1-12
Description: Often associated with the geographical regions they inhabit, the North American Indian Gallery displays objects from five distinct cultures, starting with this region’s Lenape.
Gallery cart: Native America

From Island to Island (Pacific Islands Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4-12
Description: Travel to the other side of the earth to the lands of warmth, and living off the sea as you explore Hawaii, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Philippines.
Gallery cart: Pacific islands

From the Lands of the South (Mexico, Central and South America Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 2-12
Description: History always tells the story of a time, place, and/or nation. Through this gallery, find out the history of peoples who lived in our southern continent.

Hearing the Drums across the Plains (Africa Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 2-12
Description: Understand the peoples of the largest continent in the world and travel throughout the southeast African mountains and plains.
Gallery cart: Africa

Hear Ye, O Great Knight! (Arms and Armor Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 3-12
Description: How did they live, and work, and defend their honor? Wasn’t that armor uncomfortable?
Gallery cart: Arms and armor

New Discoveries for Traditional Subjects (European Gallery 14th to 18th Century)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4-12
Description: Pieces found in the European 14th – 18th Century Gallery adhere to the tenets of Renaissance painting, such as compositional balance and harmony, and the idealization of the human form.

Society of the Pharaohs (Ancient Civilizations Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 3-12
Description: A mummy, lions, and a boat are part of the life of the average ancient Egyptian. Discover why and how through this visit.
Gallery cart: Antiquities

So What’s New: Twentieth Century Art (20th Century Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4–12
Description: In the gallery, learn about the concepts, movements, and trends behind artwork of twentieth century artists.
Gallery cart: Painting Gallery Cart

The Greeks and Romans are Alive and Well! (Ancient Civilizations Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 3-12
Description: Learn about the culture and artifacts that make this culture so like ours!
Gallery Cart: Antiquities

Tulips, Clay, Wood, and Glass (Pennsylvania German Gallery)
Length: 30 minutes
Grades: 3-12
Description: The Pennsylvania German Gallery is a collection of colloquial objects recognizing an influential portion of the State’s population.

Once your guided school visit is confirmed, a Gallery Teacher will call you and will discuss your trip. We can modify an existing thematic tour to support your curricula.

For your safety and the safety of the artworks...

Supervisors’ Roles The presence and assistance of teachers and adult supervisors is essential during school programs.

Gallery Teachers require your assistance in the following areas:

• monitoring students through the duration of the program,
• assisting in the distribution of materials for in-gallery activities and/or art projects, ∑ One adult is required for every ten K–12 students.
• No touching or leaning on objects, platforms, or cases is permitted.
• Lunches and backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Please leave lunches and backpacks
  in the bus or car.
• The Museum is not responsible for lost articles.
• Photography of the permanent collection is permitted without a flash; no tripods or video
  cameras are permitted. Photography of special exhibitions is not allowed.
• Sketching with small pads (9 x 11 inches or smaller) is permitted with pencils only in
  permanent-collection galleries. Sketching is not allowed in special exhibitions due to
  contractual agreements and insurance restrictions.

You Must Cancel or Are Delayed

If you must cancel your tour, please allow at least 48 hours’ notice. Please call 610 371.5850 ext. 227 to cancel. We often have a waiting list, and other classes can fill your space. Please note that we cannot always accommodate changes due to limited space.

If you will be late for your tour at the Museum, call 610. 371.5850 ext. 227. If you have scheduled Gallery Teachers and are more than 15 minutes late the teachers will be cancelled and you will be responsible for their fees.