Reading Museum has been awarded £80,000 in funding for an upcoming exhibition set to explore life in Roman Britain.
The support comes from DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund and will go towards the Roman Britain – Reimagined in Reading project.
It comes after Reading Museum secured £714,785 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, £236,808 in cash contributions, and £28,000 in non-cash support, including volunteer time and in-kind expertise.
Supporters included The Earley Charity awarded a grant of £94,000; Graham and Joanna Barker, who have a passion for Roman archaeology, and who pledged £25,000; and Friends of Reading Museum, increasing their commitment from the development phase to £15,000.
The project will see the creation of a new ‘Discovering Calleva Gallery’ and an immersive space that will showcase the extraordinary archaeological finds from Silchester, one of the most significant Roman towns in Britain.
Organisers say the project will combine innovative design with inclusive features, designed to make the collections more accessible, interactive, and inspiring for all audiences.
Visitors will encounter iconic objects such as the Silchester Eagle and one of only two Roman wooden water pumps in Britain, displayed in ways that bring their stories to life.
It forms the culmination of decades of groundbreaking research by the University of Reading, offering visitors an engaging experience that reflects the latest understanding of life in Roman Britain.
Councillors say that it will represent a “complete transformation” of the visitor experience at Reading Museum.
Elsewhere in the project is the ‘Interpretation of 1,000 Finds, which features treasures such as the Silchester Eagle, the Iron Age Silchester Horse, and the early Christian Caversham Font will be redisplayed, and even more finds will be accessible through online resources.
It will also host a community engagement programme, updated school sessions aligned with the national curriculum and online resources.
The project will additionally create 52 volunteer roles and two paid internships, providing opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to gain experience in heritage, interpretation, and community engagement.
Donna Pentelow Reading Borough Council’s Director of Culture, Leisure and Skills said “With the support of the DCMS and the Wolfson Foundation, we have the opportunity to reimagine one of the most remarkable periods of our past for future generations.
“The Roman Britain – Reimagined project will not only highlight the exceptional archaeological discoveries from Silchester but will also deliver an inclusive, hands-on experience that celebrates the diversity and energy of our community.”
