The Redingensian
Berkshires Independent Museum of Art

The Redingensian stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural enrichment, aiming to inspire and educate visitors through a diverse range of public exhibitions and showcasing our truly special collection. Our commitment to preserving and promoting the creative arts reflects our dedication to fostering a love for cultural heritage.

The museum takes its name from the historical reference of the towns people of Reading, Berkshire, UK

This privately owned museum was formed in 2011 by Mark Lawrence and Lewis Geater, both having been born in Reading as a means to showcase a collection they had formed over a 10 year period and to achieve a childhood dream. Taking the name History Portal in 2016. History Portal hosted exhibitions at Broad St Mall, Local Churches and Mosques, Reading Minster and Reading Borough Council Civic offices, which were so successful that our showcase remained in place there for 7 years before being removed due to building works. We will now be curating new public exhibitions at new venues under a name that we feel represents what is at the very core of why we do what we do and that is the people of Reading.

 The Redingensian! Will showcase World Culture and Heritage as Berkshire's first independent museum of Art whilst giving a respectful nod to Reading Museum, which tells the story of our towns past.

Mark started collecting at the age of seven years old thanks to his Grandmother presenting him with a Victorian card case one Christmas, from there he collected stamps, gemstones, bank notes and antique porcelain he discovered in numerous charity shops.

Over the course of 30 years this collection has grown into over 12,000 unique artefacts including what is believed to be the Worlds oldest chocolate Easter egg to one of the UK's most impressive collections of privately owned Meso-Amercian pottery. This collection now has the honour to be named after two individuals that greatly inspired both Mark and Lewis, Firstly Marks Grandmother, Madeline and Lewis Grandfather Leslie, It has become the Madeline Leslie Collection. Keeping their legacy alive through the items in the collection and our public exhibitions that we curate with our community out reach program, History Portal.

Lewis was passionate about building an art collection that covered periods not accessible in local institutions, meaning that local people and their children would only see such historical works in major cities like London or Oxford locally.Thanks to his commitment and Marks skill at sourcing material, our art collection spans from the 11th Century to works by Contemporary artists! Including Gothic, Late Renaissance, Old Master works, Mannerist, Baroque, Romantic, Impressionism, and Modern. Lewis is also very appreciative of Islamic art and has added a number of pieces to the collection that reflects this interest.

Since 2011, History Portal alongside Mark and Lewis have all been nominated several times for Pride of Reading Awards, hosted many well received exhibitions and gained Local, National and International Press coverage for their work and its philanthropy.

Both are founders are local working class individuals that created something out of a love for art, culture and history and work tirelessly to share that with the people of their town, The Redingensian is the the product of three decades of commitment! From a child's dream to reality! We will continue to work towards our ultimate end goal of founding a new museum in the town for the people to whom it takes its name and to support Readings already fantastic museum and cultural offerings.