Dr. Levi W. Mengel, founder and first director of the Reading Public Museum, wholeheartedly believed in the value of a “sensory education.” As a teacher at Boys' High School in the Reading School District, Dr. Mengel used his personal collection of antiquities in his teaching to help bring history alive for his students in the early 1900s. He recognized that young minds hunger for active participation and personal experience, and he continued collecting scientific and anthropological materials to use as teaching aids.
Thanks to donations from Dr. Mengel and nearly 2,000 pieces acquired at the St. Louis World’s Fair, Reading students could see, touch, and learn about objects from around the globe. In 1907, the third floor of the Reading School District administration building was converted into a museum to provide students with exciting hands-on learning experiences.
Dr. Levi W. Mengel
Reading Public Museum's founder and first director
With the addition of several paintings to the fledgling museum’s collection, Dr. Mengel’s creation was renamed the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery in 1913 and opened to the public. As The Museum’s collection continued to expand, it became clear that it would eventually outgrow its home. The Museum’s present location, which welcomed its first visitors in 1929, was a generous donation to the Reading School District from local industrialists Ferdinand Thun and Irvin F. Impink.
In the decades that followed, The Museum developed a world-class collection of more than 300,000 objects, including art, antiquities, and scientific and cultural artifacts from around the globe. Thanks to RPM’s sponsors and generous community support, the collection continues to grow and diversify.
Have you ever wanted to be face-to-face with an ancient Egyptian mummy or among dinosaur bones from millions of years ago? Maybe you’re more interested in original works by artists including Degas, Rodin, and Warhol. Perhaps you’d like to investigate mysterious Mayan treasures, American Indian artifacts, or one of the traveling exhibits The Museum hosts each year? There’s something for everyone to enjoy at RPM!
Dr. Mengel’s dedication to sensory education was ahead of its time, and the work he began continues today. RPM’s cutting-edge interactive exhibits offer visitors inspiring, hands-on learning opportunities that are unique to The Museum, and there’s always something new to see and do.
The mission of the Reading Public Museum, a dynamic center of lifelong learning and discovery, is to educate, enlighten and engage current and future generations through the collection, preservation and interpretation of objects of art, science and civilization.
The Museum cannot offer valuations, appraisals, or authentications of artwork. If you have an object you would like to have valued or authenticated, The Museum recommends the following resources:
American Society of Appraisers (800) 272-8258
Appraisers Association of America (212) 889-5404
Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America
Art-Collecting.com
For questions about object conservation, the American Institute for Conservation has available a national referral system. Please call (202) 452-9545.
2014 Form 990 Tax Form
Download
Dave Meas
Charles Harenza, Esq.
Heidi Masano
Jill Martin, CPA
Bill Combs
Seth E. Rosenzweig, M.D.
Kathleen Kleppinger
John Graydon Smith
Walter Banta
Kevin S. Barnhardt
Dr. Brian Buerke
Irvin Cohen
Frank Delewski
Anne M. Fink PhD, RN, CNE
Scott Gruber
Joanne M. Judge, Esq.
Lisa Lavender
C. Jack Lusch
Julio (Leo) C. Martinez
Regina (Ginger) Miller
Ronald Pook
Alan Shuman
Dr. Thomas B. Souders
Karin Wulkowicz
John Graydon Smith
Director and CEO
x224
Ashley Hamilton Houston
Collections Manager & Registrar
x232 Email
Paul Pawlaczyk
Preparator
x237Email
Scott Schweigert
Curator of Art & Civilization
x229 Email
Alice Botvin
Curatorial Assistant
x253 Email
Wendy Koller
Manager of Education
x223 Email
Coleen Spease-Mikucki
STEM & Family Education
Coordinator
x227 Email
Colin Gallen
Education Assistant
x255 Email
Megan Weld
Education Department
x258 Email
General inquiries of
educational programming
x255
Museum
x257 Email
Arboretum
x239 Email
Stephanie Hafer Shaak
Vice President of Event &
Exhibition Rentals
x234 Email
Laura Oswald
Event Rental Coordinator
x235 Email
Kara Seawell
Customer Service &
Events Assistant
x224 Email
Kevin Pistiner
Customer Service &
Education Associate Email
Lindsay Crist
Director of Community Development
x230 Email
Amanda Machik
Manager of Museum Events
x257 Email
Diane Ruth
Controller & HR Manager
x233 Email
Ashley Manwiller
Financial & Administrative
Assistant
x248 Email
Amanda Spencer
Grant Writer
x254 Email
For Membership information
please phone x228
Email
Jeffery Fick
Customer Service &
Gift Shop Coordinator
x224 Email
Mark Mazurkiewicz
Planetarium Director
x244 Email
Elan Lift
Planetarium Assistant
x244
William Glasser
Museum Shop Cashier
x251
Emily Moore
Manager of Marketing &
Digital Media
x231 Email
Security
x242
Pete Poncheri
Director of Building & Grounds
x225 Email
The purpose of this position is to facilitate the growing number of educational programs at The Museum. The Museum Educator will report to the Managers of Humanities and STEM Education and will be primarily responsible for implementation of educational programming. This includes but is not limited to student tours, scout workshops and sleepovers, summer camp programs, adult program, public programs, and birthday parties.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To apply for this position please send your cover letter, resume, and three references (pdf files preferred) to: Wendy Koller, Manager of Education, wendy.koller@readingpublicmuseum.org.
Volunteer openings are most needed on Tuesdays between 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with other volunteering opportunities available Sunday – Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This position requires friendly, outgoing individuals to assist patrons with merchandise sales and run a computerized cash register. Prior retail experience would be helpful. Volunteers should be at least 18 years old or a senior in high school.
Contact info@readingpublicmuseum.org.
Gallery Docents are enthusiastic volunteers who are specially trained to bring our collection to life for learners of all ages. Persons interested in becoming a Museum Docent must attend 4 consecutive Senior Series events which take place the 4th Friday of each month at 1:30p.m., be willing to make a 2 year commitment to The Museum, and must be a Museum Member. Once invited into The Docent Program Docents are required to attend monthly training sessions, and volunteer for a minimum of 6 hours a month. If you are interested in joining The Docent Program or have any questions please contact Wendy Koller, at wendy.koller@readingpublicmuseum.org or (610)-371-5850 x223
The Reading Public Museum is searching for volunteers to join the Arboretum Assistants Program for 2018. Each year the number of projects at the Arboretum increases, as does the need for additional volunteers. Prospective Arboretum Assistants are required to attend two training/informational sessions. These will be held Wednesdays March 7 and March 21, 2018 at 9 a.m. at The Museum.
Gardening sessions are Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. until 12:00 noon from the beginning of April through the end of October. As in the past we are asking volunteers to commit to two Wednesday mornings per month (or approximately 14 weeks). The Wednesdays will be of your own choosing with advanced sign-ups requested. Penn State Master Gardeners serve as Arboretum supervisors and will be working by your side directing and offering instruction for each work session. You will only be asked to accept tasks physically comfortable for you.
To register for this exciting volunteer opportunity or request additional information contact Karen Moyer, Volunteer Coordinator, by February 26, 2018. Either e-mail karenmoyer4@gmail.com or telephone the Museum arboretum office at 610.371.5850 x239 and leave a message. More information will follow later in February.
We promise you will be richly rewarded by the experience, knowledge, and the camaraderie you gain! We look forward to seeing many new faces in March!
Unlimited access to art, science, culture, education and more Join RPM