From Reading Public Museum
The Reading Public Museum is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of its signature Gala, to be held on Saturday, April 25. After nearly two decades, the beloved tradition — originally launched in 1992 and celebrated annually through 2007 — will once again take center stage. Revived by popular demand, the 2026 Gala promises to honor its storied legacy while ushering in a new era of celebration, community, and support for one of Berks County’s most cherished institutions.
In recent years, Museum staff, the Board of Directors, and the broader community have expressed a renewed passion for the elegance and excitement the Gala once brought to the region. The Gala Committee, including Ann Calvaresi-Barr, Dr. Mark Dougherty, Caroline Hill, Laurie Kirkpatrick, Zerena Klajbor-Boyer, and Frederick Nice, Esq., has enthusiastically embraced this momentum and is preparing an extraordinary evening — one that will match, and even exceed, the grandeur of past events.
“For generations, the Gala served as a hallmark occasion for our supporters,” said Geoffrey K. Fleming, Executive Director and CEO. “Its return symbolizes not only a tribute to our past, but a bold step toward our future.”
For more than 120 years, the Reading Public Museum has thrived as a vibrant, accessible hub for lifelong learning. With dynamic offerings in art, science, and culture, The Museum welcomes visitors of all ages to explore engaging exhibitions, rotating star shows at the Neag Planetarium, interactive educational programs, community events, school tours, workshops, lectures, and its beautifully maintained 25-acre Arboretum.
The Museum’s ability to deliver these transformative experiences is made possible entirely through the generosity of its supporters. As a privately funded institution, the Reading Public Museum receives no regular federal, state, local, or taxpayer funding. Proceeds from the 2026 Gala will directly sustain The Museum’s mission-driven operations, helping ensure that it remains a vital cultural cornerstone for years to come. Tickets will be available for sale in late winter.
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Gala are now available. Community partners, businesses, and individuals are invited to join in celebrating The Museum’s past, present, and future while supporting its wide-ranging programs and ongoing care of its exceptional collections and grounds. For more information, please contact Ashley Houston, Director of Development, at Ashley.Houston@ReadingPublicMuseum.org or 610-371-5850 x228.
About the Reading Public Museum
The Reading Public Museum is supported in part by grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and is located at 500 Museum Road, Reading. Admission per day is $14.00 for adults (18 to 64), $8.00 for children/seniors/college students (w/ID), and free for members and children three years old and under. Currently enrolled Reading School District students and up to five accompanying guests receive free regular Museum admission and free admission to public Neag Planetarium shows with proof of enrollment. The Museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
