Education

Learn About Us Tours Schedule a Tour Teacher Resources Summer Camp Gallery Search

Cost of Admission

Stay Informed
Sign Up for our eNewsletter and receive information about our programs, exhibits and special events

Tours

Guided Tours

The Reading Public Museum offers guided tours for pre-school, school age and adult groups. Tours may focus on permanent collection galleries, special exhibitions, or a combination of both.

School Group Tours

The Reading Public Museum’s guided school tours present a rich and interactive experience, foster perception and analytical skill, and complement the school curriculum. The Museum’s tour guides or “Gallery Teachers” engage students in active looking and dialogue centered on the objects in a given gallery. The guided tour is planned in collaboration between school faculty and Museum staff.

See School Tour Topics.

The tours are listed by galleries - the subject matter is adjusted by grade level.

Visit fees (Have increased as of January 1, 2010)

Museum admission is $5 per student which includes both admission and a guided tour (by Museum staff), school faculty and staff are free, non-staff chaperones are $6 per person. (General admission for Reading School District is waived and costs are $1 per student for the guided tour. Faculty and chaperone prices as above)
A ratio of one school teacher (or school staff member) per 10 students is required.
Museum tours are conducted by professionally trained Gallery Teachers and hands-on materials, tour aids, and activities are used when age appropriate.
Planetarium admission is $5 per student, faculty and staff are free, non-staff chaperones are $6 per person
Groups may opt to visit both the Museum and Planetarium in one trip. (Large groups are encouraged to do so) Visits must be pre-arranged with both Museum and Planetarium. (Total costs are $10 per student/staff free/chaperones $12 per person)
Admission may be pre-paid or is payable at either the front desk of the Museum or Planetarium. No post-visit invoices will be generated. If paying upon arrival, please have monies collected. Admission may also be paid by check or credit card.

Passes and Membership

Free passes and Memberships cannot be used for group tours. Regular group or school tour rates apply.

Self-guided Student Tours

College professors may opt to lead their own tours through the Museum’s permanent galleries or special exhibitions. Student group rate is $5 per person. Groups must be booked in advance.

Amenities

There is no café or cafeteria on the grounds; however, groups may bring lunches and picnic outdoors. During inclement weather, Museum and Planetarium staff will attempt to find alternate indoor locations for eating.
Parking is shared between the Museum and Planetarium. There is generally ample parking for buses, vans, and groups who are carpooling. Both the Museum and Planetarium have wheelchair accessibility.
The Museum’s and Planetarium’s restrooms are limited in number. Allow for extra time for restroom breaks for large groups.
Groups are encouraged to visit the gift shops at both the Museum and Planetarium Please let us know if your group plans to visit the gift shops and we will staff them accordingly.
Groups may visit the Arboretum anytime and at no cost. Arboretum activity guides can be provided upon request.

For your safety and the safety of the Museum’s collection...

The Museum’s Gallery Teachers require the assistance of the school staff and chaperones 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. You may make arrangements to leave lunches and belongings in the Museum Atrium or Planetarium lobby.
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.

If 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. 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.

Home-school Tours and Pre-school Tours

The Museum is happy to meet the needs of home-school and pre-school groups and can customize tours specifically for these groups.

Adult Group Tours

The Museum encourages adult group tours. Tours can be customized to fit the needs of each group’s time frame and desired subject areas. Adult group tour rates: $7 per person (includes guide fee) *Special pricing may occur for temporary exhibitions.

To schedule a tour for school. college, home-school or adult groups, click here.