Museum of English Rural Life
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
England
Website
General enquiries
Event bookings and enquiries
Telephone
0118 378 8660
Fax
0118 378 5632
The Museum was founded in 1951 by the University of Reading. It was the first specialist museum of farming and rural life to be established in England and so was able to acquire large collections of high quality material at a time when mechanisation was bringing great changes to the countryside. It also played an important pioneering part in the formulation of procedures for the processing, cataloguing and conservation of such material. Today, the Museum is active at a national and international level in all aspects of rural museums.
The entire collection of this museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum, Library, Archive
Additional info
Guided Tours are available at weekends at 3pm and on Wednesdays at 2.30pm. Booking is recommended although not essential. Tours are available at other times by appointment.
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
England
Website
General enquiries
Event bookings and enquiries
Telephone
0118 378 8660
Fax
0118 378 5632
The entire collection of this museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
The Museum of English Rural Life is dedicated to the spirit of the English countryside and its people. It was founded by the University of Reading in 1951 at a time when the motorised revolution was changing the face of farming and sweeping away implements and techniques that had evolved over many generations.
Today, the museum is a national centre for the history of food, farming and the countryside, and continues with the task of recording and interpreting rural change. It is both a public resource and an academic research centre, preserving Designated collections of national and international significance. These comprise, in addition to the object collections, a library of over 50,000 books, archives of business and organisational records, and extensive photographic collections.
The collections cover the broad range of material relating to farming, rural crafts and industries, and country life. The bulk of the items date from the period 1850 to 1950. Pre 1850 farm tools and equipment are rare in England. Post 1950, the sheer range and size of farm machinery are inhibitors given the level of exhibition and storage space that we have available. This is why so much emphasis has been placed on reflecting this period through the two dimensional collections - especially the photographs and technical literature.
Collection details
Trade and Commerce, Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Science and Technology, Land Transport, Fine Art, Costume and Textiles, Archives, Agriculture
Key artists and exhibits
- agricultural hand tools
- farm wagons: there are over thirty in the collection
- horse drawn ploughs
- dairying equipment
- livestock accessories eg horseshoes; veterinary equipment
- land drainage material
- country crafts and rural industries; the thatching collection, for example is particularly extensive as is that covering the woodland trades
- woodworking and carpentry
- country smocks
- basketry; corn dollies
- friendly society brasses
- beekeeping equipment
- animal traps
- sewing machines
- paintings and prints, especially of early nineteenth century livestock
- Designated Collection
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
England
Website
General enquiries
Event bookings and enquiries
Telephone
0118 378 8660
Fax
0118 378 5632
MERL Exhibition: Village Voices
Village Voices, the sights and sounds of a village community, Sonning and Sonning Eye over the last century. This exhibition is funded by the Lottery and Awards for All.
Suitable for
- All ages
When
12-12am
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
This exhibition is free to view.
MERL Exhibition: The art and craft of Suttons
A chance to see a selection of the colourful publicity produced by this iconic Reading firm, and to learn more about what happened behind the scenes.
This exhibition is in the staircase hall.
Suitable for
- All ages
When
12-12am
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
This exhibition is free to view.
For more information see www.reading.ac.uk/merl or e-mail merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 8660
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
England
Website
General enquiries
Event bookings and enquiries
Telephone
0118 378 8660
Fax
0118 378 5632
MERL Seminar: Doing their bit - children's contribution to agricultural production during WWII
This seminar will be given by Virginia Morrow, Reader of Childhood Studies, Institute of Education, University of London and Professor Berry Mayall, Professor of Childhood Studies, Institute of Education, University of London.
During the Second World War, English school children made a significant contribution to agricultural production. School children, (alongside women) became a reserve army of labour, notably through organised School Harvest Camps. This seminar draws on oral histories, school histories,and other archived material, and the authors suggest that children's contributions to the war effort have not been given due recognition.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
4:30-6pm
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
This seminar is free, but please book by e-mailing merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phoning
0118 378 8660
www.reading.ac.uk/merl
MERL Special Event: Sex, drink and death in 17C England
Songs, stories and traditions with Hilary James, Simon Mayor and special guest Tim Healey. A very welcome return to MERL of popular writer and broadcaster Tim Healey, exploring the colourful and raffish side of English social life during the tumultuous era of the Civil War and Restoration. Accompanied in song by Hilary and Simon.
www.reading.ac.uk/merl
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7:30pm-12am
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
Please apply for ticket costing £15 (£12 concessions). E-mail merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 8660
Save by also booking 'The Victorian farmer's year in song' (18/5/10) and 'The sands of song' (22/6/10). All three concerts cost £36, £30 concessions.
MERL: Village voices exhibition tour (additional date)
A guided tour and informal talk on Village Voices, the unique personal memories of life over the last century in the community of Sonning and Sonning Eye.
For more information see www.reading.ac.uk/merl
Suitable for
- All ages
When
2pm-12am
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road. Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
This tour is free, but please book by e-mailing merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phoning 0118 378 8660
Looking at Landscape Late-Night Opening
Join us at our first ever late opening for a relaxing evening in the Museum and garden. Enjoy a glass of local beer and some live music.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7-9pm
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX
Admission
Free. No need to book.
MERL special event: The Victorian farmer's year in song
Singer, melodeon and anglo-concertina maestro, John Kilpatrick (as seen on BBC Two's 'Victorian Farm') takes his audience on a remarkable journey through the country calendar in music and song. He will be joined by Hilary James and Simon Mayor.
Why not join the 'The Victorian village band' workshop before this concert.
www.reading.ac.uk/merl
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7:30pm-12am
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
Tickets cost £15 (£12 concessions). Please book for this event by e-mail merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 8660. Why not book the other two concerts in this series 'Sex, drink and death in 17C England' (16/3/10) and 'The sands of song' (22/6/10). The cost for all 3 concerts is £36, £30 concessions.
MERL Special Event: The Victorian village band workshop
Whatever your level of ability, bring an instument, join in the fun and become part of the Victorian village band. John Kilpatrick will concoct an arrangement to suit everyone! This event is before the 'The Victorian farmer's year in song.
www.reading.ac.uk/merl
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
6:15-7:15pm
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
This event is free, but please book by e-mail merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 8660. See also 'The Victorian farmer's year in song' that follows this workshop.
MERL special event: 'The sands of song' and 'In conversation: Belshazzar's Feast'
Hilary James and guests Simon Mayor and Balshazzar's Feast (Paul Sartin and Paul Hutchinson). Hilary traces the history of English rural life in song: bell ringing, country dancing, high days and holidays, love, lust, loss, landscape and labour. Virtuoso accompaniment on guitar, fiddle, oboe, accordian and mandolin.
For the ticket price you are welcome to join 'Belhazzar's Feast in conversation' at 6.30-7.10pm for a pre-concert event. Meet this highly respected musical and witty duo. (Paul Sartin, founder member of Bellowhead, singer, fiddle and oboe player and Paul Hutchinson, accordian) in the intimate setting of MERL. Limited places, so please book early for this pre-concert free event.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
When
7:30pm-12am
Where
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading. RG1 5EX
Admission
Cost: £15 (£12 concessions). Pre-concert event for ticket holders only is free, but must be booked. For all booking e-mail merlevents@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 8660.
Why not book all three concerts 'Sex, drink and death in 17C England' (16/03/10) and 'The Victorian farmer's year in song' (18/05/10) for £36, £30 concessions.
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
England
Website
General enquiries
Event bookings and enquiries
Telephone
0118 378 8660
Fax
0118 378 5632
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
University of Reading
Redlands Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 5EX
England
Website
General enquiries
Event bookings and enquiries
Telephone
0118 378 8660
Fax
0118 378 5632
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