Message from the Director

Since my arrival as your new Museum Director in October, I’ve been delighted to see how our community has responded to the updating and reenergizing we’ve undertaken here at The Museum. From the moment you walk in through our reformatted Atrium, past the new Museum Shop and café area, and up the stairs to the revitalized Central Gallery, you’ll notice the improvements we’ve made and yet feel at home among the collections you’ve been enjoying for years.

From our renovated Second Floor galleries to the new interactive children’s learning stations throughout the First Floor, like those in the North American Indian, Latin American, and Arms and Armor galleries, there is much about The Museum that is new and innovative. If you haven’t come by for a visit lately, please plan a trip over and bring the children in your life along with you. Not only will you find the educational and artistic artifacts that we’ve traditionally had on display, but you’ll also discover new hands-on activities for children in all of all our galleries. Together you can make your own drum in the North American Indian gallery, play a game of Mancala in the African gallery, or weave your own loom tapestry in the Latin American gallery. These experiences for the entire family are just the start of our renewed efforts to make The Museum more engaging for everyone in the community, and with your support there will be even more to come in 2011.

In 2011, we’re focused on three main priorities, all centered around you – our visitors. They are:

• Opening The Museum as a community gathering place
• Providing an accessible cultural and educational experience for all
• Developing a “cool” factor for our events and activities in the community

By integrating these three goals into everything we do and offer, we’re hoping you rediscover The Reading Public Museum and will join us throughout the year to learn, explore, and be inspired by all we have to offer – from The Planetarium to The Arboretum, whether inside or out – we’re putting the Public back in The Reading Public Museum, and we look forward to having you join us.

John Graydon Smith
Director and CEO