Museum History

Evolution: Post-war developments

1950 Berkshire County Council begun to fund the Schools Loan Service. In 1964 it moved to Castle Street, then to Yeomanry House in 1970.

1974 The Huntley and Palmers collection is loaned to the Museum. In 1989 Nabisco gave the collection to the Museum.

1975 The Civic Offices opened in St Mary's Butts, leaving only the Museum and Library in the Town Hall. Plans to build a new Cultural Centre and to demolish the Town Hall were dropped.

1978 Reading Museum purchases the Silchester Collection from the Duke of Wellington.

1985 Blakes Lock Museum beside the River Kennet opened showing the Waterways, Trades and Industries of Victorian Reading.

1986 Town Hall refurbishment began. The first phase of restoration of the Town Hall was completed in 1989 and Reading Museum closed to allow restoration of galleries to commence.

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