Like many people this year, I have had plenty of my travel plans cancelled. And so I have been trying to venture out locally and find new places to discover. Recently a trusted friend suggested the Reading Public Museum. I did some research and decided to visit. I am so happy I did. Soaking in some culture and taking a moment to just relax and meander through some amazing exhibits, was exactly the mental health break I needed. As a bonus I learned some things, funny how that happens when visiting a museum. As someone who loves to read and soak up knowledge, the more information I can get my hands on the happier I am.
A short primer on the Reading Public Museum. The Reading Public Museum is more than a century old and has over 300,000 items in its collections. The Reading Public Museum has several different areas, and exhibits. They have a variety of displays from European Art to Ancient Greek civilizations. Included in their exhibits is one in which an animatronic of the museum’s founder, a Dr. Levi W. Mengel explains how and why it all began. The Museum also has a planetarium and an arboretum. I did not visit the planetarium but did have a picnic lunch outside in the park, and walked around the grounds. I plan on making a return trip at some point to check out a planetarium show.
Inside the museum the first room I explored was a Native American display. It felt so lifelike, as if you are stepping into their world. It is a good all around showing of the life of Native Americans who lived and thrived in our area. It teaches about their traditions, the clothing they wore and the foods they ate. Also on exhibit are some of the animals they co-existed with. I stood face to face with a polar bear and although it was stuffed, staring into that bear’s eyes (albeit glass) gave me the willies.
A child’s storybook area was also at the museum. I did not explore that area, but it looked cute and seemed to entertain a few smaller children who were also visiting the museum for quite some time. Parental bonus, once you get your kiddos into the museum you may be able to interest them in exploring further.
Some children may be interested in the room they have full of armor. Including armor used on horses. How cool is that? A display case full of swords can also be found in the Arms and Armor Gallery. I found it interesting to see how armor has changed throughout the years and how it varied from culture to culture. For those who are enthralled by the PA Dutch culture an entire room is devoted to that.
Maybe the most interesting artifact displayed at the museum is an actual mummy. Her name is Nefrinia, and she lived in the Ptolemaic period (332-30 BCE). She is amazingly preserved and seeing her takes your breath away and may make your stomach do a little flip (at least mine did). The museum does an excellent job at telling Nefrina’s story, including how she came to be so well preserved. It truly is fascinating. The room around the mummy is filled with other Ancient Greek artifacts. Statue marble heads and even some hieroglyphics. For middle school kids learning about Greek Gods and Ancient Greece this is a great way for them to see up close pieces of that ancient civilization.
Temporary exhibits at the museum included one Entitled “Courting Style, Womens Tennis Fashion.” This exhibit showed all kinds of womens tennis dress beginning in the 1870’s and continuing up to current times. It was interesting to see how far not only fashion has come but how much more conducive to playing the uniforms have become. Obviously playing a round of tennis in an ankle length dress must be a detriment to your game. I am not a tennis player but I am sure it was made more difficult by not just lots of fabric but also constricting clothing. We sure have come a long way.
Speaking of changes, in the sport of tennis the second temporary exhibit was filled with information about the history changing Billie Jean King. The traveling exhibit entitled. “Billie Jean King CHAMPION ACTIVIST LEGEND” was an eye opener for me. I knew her only in name. I came away from that exhibit feeling awed by what an amazing human being, and athlete she was. She truly shone her light and used her platform to work for social justice and equal rights. I was happy to have learned more about a person I may have otherwise not taken the time to study. Quite honestly I may have to add a Billy Jean King biography to my reading list.
Lastly and my favorite part of the Reading Public Museum was the art. The art is nicely separated into different rooms, Modern and Contemporary, European and American. Also from now until May 2021 they have an American Women artist collection, which is beautiful.
I am not an artist, as a matter of fact even my stick figure drawings are dreadful. Perhaps that is why I am so appreciative of wonderful art pieces. I never fail to be amazed at how some art can speak to you. I can zoom past 6 pieces but then that 7th piece I have to stop and study. Art is fascinating in that way. It can tug at your heartstrings, anger you, or fill you with hope, or disgust. Art can inspire you or transport you to another place or time. Not unlike when Mary Poppins and the Banks Children jumped into Bert’s chalk drawings.
Some years ago I traveled to Russia as a student ambassador. On our trip we visited many many museums. I remember being told by a tour guide at the time, you do not WALK through an art museum, instead you sit with the art. I was a teenager then and I tried to sit with many of those pieces of art, but I did not get it. I would get bored, and fidgety, and my mind would wander. Until I found the right piece. I remember distinctly it was a ginormous painting of the ocean. The painting was wild and rough. Nothing on the canvas but the waves, no shore or ships. The painting was filled with blues, grays and greens and the vibrant white of the ferocious whitecaps. It felt like the ocean was going to pull me under. It truly was a terrifying scene, however I could not stop looking at that painting. It seemed alive to me. It was then that I realized what the tour guide meant by sitting with the art. Since that time I make sure to take the time to stop and sit with the art that draws me in. There is something about sitting and viewing the art that makes a deeper connection. The very act of sitting is making a commitment to stay and soak it in, to allow yourself to connect in a deeper way with the art.
If you are a lifelong learner like myself or you enjoy history, art or both. Maybe you too need a mental health day. If so I strongly encourage you to visit the Reading Public Museum. If you are not able to visit the Reading Public Museum, try to find a museum nearby and visit it. And if you are homebound there are many terrific museums giving virtual tours of their exhibits. The next time you do find yourself in a museum remember to stop and sit on those benches. You may be surprised by what your eyes can feel.
Thanks for reading,
Missy
missy.pallop@capturethemagicvacations.com
The Reading Public Museum
Loved you descriptions of the artwork I see as of today The Louve has open to a virtual tour. I may have to check that out.
thank you, good to know.