Wonderful to see @archivesofit.bsky.social's work with us highlighted like this! 🎙️ #ReadingsDIGITALRevolution

This week's #FridayFinds is a familiar sight to locals - though usually with more buses, less livestock!🐴 The watercolour was painted c.1795, artist unknown, showing Market Place and St Lawrence's Church, Reading. Any other local sites you'd like to step back in time to see? Object no: 1954.3.1🖼️

Discover unique gifts and support local makers this Sunday with 10% off everything online for Museum Shop Sunday, including exclusive Bayeux Tapestry gifts Support your local museum and do some Christmas shopping! reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com #MuseumShopSunday #ShopLocal #SustainingCulture

Have you ever tasted medlar fruits? They are ancient sweet tasting fruits, that need to soften before eating. Not as popular nowadays, they were brought to Britain by the Romans. This medlar fruit stone was discovered at the Roman town near Silchester. 1934.114.3.586 Reading Museum #FridayFinds

We were thinking "loo brush" too. The rocks and seashells idea is interesting. We have form... www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...

We have lots of lovely festive events coming up at Reading Museum. More information on the website www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on-rea...

Great event this week with Digital Destinations. Young people visited the exhibition and connected with tech companies to find out about digital carreers. Thanks to everyone who took part and to Berkshire Education Business Partnership and REDA. @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

From Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 November our Huntley & Palmers Gallery will be closed for essential works 🛠️ The rest of the Museum will be open as normal To plan your visit go to www.readingmuseum.org.uk/your-visit-reading-museum

The ruins of Reading Abbey all aglow as we head towards winter @readingmuseum.bsky.social #rdg #rdguk

See our newest artwork in the Welcome Gallery. This embroidered, applique panel was inspired by the artist's second great grandmother, Francine, who had been bought out of slavery by act of manumission. 'Deed of Manumission', 2025, by Chris Mercier. 2025.43.1 Reading Foundation for Arts #FridayFinds

Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is photographic portraiture 📷 Peter Hawkes captured this candid moment in 1987. He was one of several local photographers who contributed to a project documenting 24 hours in Reading, Friday 5 - Saturday 6 June that year. Caption ideas? 👇

Today's #Museum30 theme is #digital 💻 Believe it or not, this DEC HiNote laptop (indirectly) helped break the sound barrier - it was used to support the Thrust SuperSonic Car which broke the land speed record in 1997, and is still coated with dust from the Nevada desert where the test took place! 🏎️

The rise of AI-generated art is a hot topic, and this lithograph marks an early chapter in that story. The original image was generated in 1967/8 by Japan’s first computer art group in Tokyo, founded by students including Masao Komura. See it now in our Welcome Gallery! 💻 2001.205.1 #FridayFinds

This large wooden case contains two Dalmatian or crested pelicans. They are one of the world's largest flying birds. Book on our Store tour to see this, and other hidden treasures not on display. rdguk.info/store_7AK7o 🐦 1957.317.1=2 Reading Museum collection #FridayFinds

Want to see some of our unique collections up close? Book now for a behind the scenes tour next week (5th November). Bookings close soon so don't miss your chance. More details on our website. www.readingmuseum.org.uk/new-behind-s...

Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is SpoooooOoooOoooky Art 👻 This Mark Symons piece shows a group of fairy-like figures dancing through a graveyard by the light of the moon. Sweet or spooky? We'll let you decide... 📷 Watercolour sketch from Reading Museum's collection

A beautifully intricate geometric mosaic from Silchester, Hampshire ( #Roman Calleva Atrebatum). The materials used were mainly local: limestone (yellow), Purbeck chalk (white), Kimmeridge shale (black) & crushed tile (red). Later C.2, now in @readingmuseum.bsky.social #RomanBritain #MosaicMonday

Check out these pictures of Reading station from our collection. Feeling inspired? Why not create your own drawing at our #Railway200 Big Draw on Wed 29 Oct 🚆 1931.435.1 Reading GWR Station 1842 2017.106.1 Shunting yard by Albert Cooper 2024.6.2 Railway Station by Robbie MacGregor #FridayFinds

We witnessed a truly special moment this week as Marcia, Trevor, and Heather visited our pop-up exhibition We Were There: A Caribbean Story. They recreated their original childhood photo which features in our Routes to Reading display 💛 #RoutesToReading #BlackHistoryMonth

Don't miss our *Special Monday Opening* at Reading Museum next week (27th October) for half term... Our Rat and Bat themed trail and craft activity will be running every day 🦇 🐀 🦇 www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/family-fun-reading-museum #RDGUK #OctHalfTermFun @rdgwhatson.bsky.social

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in a museum?? Find out the SHOCKING TRUTH* for yourself on our new store-tour: 🏛️ 5th November 🔗 www.readingmuseum.org.uk/new-behind-s... *we have a lot of objects. like really a lot. and we will nerd out about them for as long as you listen.

🔊 New on Sale! 🔊 SITELINES presents 'The Sound', stories & sounds from Reading's Soundsystem heyday, Wed 21-Sat 24 Jan 2026! Celebrate pioneering selectors & operators; box boys & MCs. Staged as a theatrical soundsystem night, expect great music, drama & RDG history whatsonreading.com/the-sound

Author David Cliffe is coming to Reading Central Library on 4 Nov to talk about his book 'A Reading Scrapbook', including how the library's collection of old documents shed light on life in Reading over the last few centuries. FREE but places are limited - booking is essential. buff.ly/ixp1jDE

Today's object spotlight shows a famous Reading landmark: the Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens. The lion memorializes 328 men from the Berkshire Regiment who died in the 1880 battle of Maiwand, Afghanistan. This souvenir tea set was made in Germany between 1900–1905 ☕ 🦁 1996.129.3 #FridayFinds

We have some wonderful new Fairtrade Christmas Decorations in the Museum Shop - including some of our favourite historical figures! From King Harold (complete with arrow) to Jane Austen Drop in tomorrow 10am until 5pm to take a look or browse online at reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com

The Big Draw Festival is coming to @readingmuseum.bsky.social, @themerl.bsky.social and Reading Station on 29 & 30 Oct. Discover the story of pioneering draftswomen Elsie Winterton, and be inspired by archive station pictures and plans to create your own drawings. whatsonreading.com/venues/readi...

Today's collections find: a yellow embroidered hula cap, part of the everyday dress of men from the Hausa who are the largest ethnic group in West Africa, mostly based in Nigeria. It is part of Reading Museum's world objects collection. 2010.163.1 Reading Museum #FridayFinds

Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is all about ✨glamour✨ We're sharing this beautifully illustrated catalogue for shortbreads, biscuits and cakes produced by Huntley & Palmers in 1929. Who doesn't feel this glamourous reaching for a cookie and a cuppa? 🍪 1994.21.50 🖼️

Theatre at @southstreetarts.bsky.social A new exhibition at @readingmuseum.bsky.social Music classes and events from CultureMix Arts And much more besides. Reading's #BlackHistoryMonth programme kicks off today and runs throughout October! whatsonreading.com/themes/black...

This suitcase took a long journey to the museum. It came from Jamaica in October 1957 aboard the Italian liner 'Sicula Oceanica'. The owner was a member of the Windrush generation, who significantly contributed to the UK's post-war economy. 2024.50.1 Reading Museum #FridayFinds #BlackHistoryMonth

This aircraft worker from WW2 was photographed for the Ministry of Information at Miles Factory in Woodley. The factory made 5000 new aircraft during the war and repaired damaged fighter planes. Thousands of women were employed in this industry in Reading. 1946.52.63 🖼️ Reading Museum 📷 #FridayFinds

This week’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is all about animals. We couldn't miss this opportunity to share one of our favourites, the rather unfairly titled "Beauty and the Beast" by Charles Burton Barber, painted in 1878. 1931.320.1 🦚🐖 Reading Museum 📷

New Blog alert! Our Youth Panel has had a lovely year working with us and @themerl.bsky.social Find out more on our recent blog post here rdguk.info/HcMca

it's one of our favourites too! Reading has a long history of welcoming sanctuary seekers, and we are proud to officially be a Museum of Sanctuary, offering a warm welcome to all. www.readingmuseum.org.uk/get-involved/museum-sanctuary @themerl.bsky.social @readingcouncil.bsky.social

Do you want to find out more about the history of Reading? Then you still have time to book this morning's curator gallery tour at 11.30am or visit the Museum today from 11am to 5pm. www.readingmuseum.org.uk/gallery-tour-history-reading-10-objects

This plan and photograph of Huntley and Palmers' new 1930s office building in King's Road show the steel and reinforced concrete buildings that replaced the cramped and dingy Victorian offices. They were then demolished in the early 1990s. 🖼️ 1997.82.604 & 1997.130.84 📷 Reading Museum #FridayFinds

🌻The #BigRiverWatch starts today. 🖱️Download the free @theriverstrust.bsky.social app, spend 15 minutes by your local river, & complete the short survey to tell us what you see. Wildlife, plants, barriers, water colour, and every sighting matters. Get involved. theriverstrust.org/take-action/...

Dr Euan Roger, Principal Medieval Specialist at The National Archives, is the guest speaker at this year's Friends of Reading Abbey AGM and Lecture on 25 October. He'll be talking about life in St George’s Chapel during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries whatsonreading.com/venues/frien...

If you are looking for something to do in the next few weekends, why not visit Reading Museum, we will be open every Sunday in September from 11am-5pm, and Saturdays as usual 10am-5pm. Pop in, see the collections and browse in our shop! Find out more at www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/sep...

Who we love your jumper!! So glad you found the same section on our Tapestry 🤩

Heritage Open Days officially begin today! whatsonreading.com/heritage-ope... However, all of today's in-person events are already booked up, but there's some cracking online ones today, and plenty more places to visit between now and 21 Sept... 1/

Today's collections find - this beautiful Italian maiolica polychrome pharmaceutical flask was made in 1610-1620 in Sicily. It contained the medicine 'Water of Endive' and is painted in a typical palette of blue, green, ochre and yellow. 1931.433.14 🍯 Reading Museum 📷 #FridayFinds

Going #BackToSchool isn't all about lessons! Edmund Havell's coloured aquatint shows Reading School and Playground, 1816. The children are playing sports and games in what is now the Forbury Gardens. Reading School once stood on the site of today's Museum. 🖼️ 1931.96.1 📷 Reading Museum

Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is ceramics, so we're sharing this beautiful bird (one of a pair!) by Alan Caiger-Smith - internationally renowned potter with an expertise in lustreware and close ties to Reading. Learn more here: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/alan-caiger-... 🎨

This English delft royal portrait plate has a somewhat unflattering depiction of Queen Anne. Rumours of female favourites at court surrounded Anne’s reign. Read more about this object and other LGBTQ+ 'Untold Histories' online soon. 🍽️ 1961.240.14 📷 Reading Museum #ReadingPride

Did you know the final scene of the Bayeux Tapestry is missing? 📆 Find out more every Saturday at our Bayeux Tapestry tour (book online via our website). 🛍️ Our exclusive range of Bayeux Tapestry merchandise includes the 'Finale' design by Jan Messent. Shop online rdguk.info/zE0CW

Are you friendly, adaptable and passionate about providing great customer service? We are looking for Casual General Assistants to join our busy, vibrant team, from welcoming visitors to delivering tours Applications close 7 September 2025. Good luck! Apply: reabcli.webitrent.com/reabcli_webr...

We're hiring! Are you an enthusiastic and talented social media creator who loves museums? Join our team as Digital Content Producer (Video) and lead on TikTok and reels at The MERL and Reading Museum! Applications are open until 8 September. Apply now: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

🔎 Have you ever wanted to get behind the scenes at a museum? 🏛️ 📆 If so join our curator-led tours of our free collection store for Heritage Open Days on 17th September 💻 Places are limited so book online www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/heritage-open-days-reading-museum-store-tours-0

⭐ Tomorrow!⭐ Everybody's Welcome! Free fun for everyone in the Forbury Gardens - join us from 10am - 3pm to make creepy crawly critters and become a bug spotter 🐛 rdguk.info/Everybody_We...