National Museum of African American History and Culture launches online "Talking About Race" portal
American Alliance of Museums states that museums have a unique duty to listen, and to educate to help end senseless violence
Important Update: COVID-19
The health and safety of our community guides all of our decisions. As such, West Chester University has been actively monitoring the rapid movement across the globe of the coronavirus, as well as updated travel warnings issued by the U.S. Department of State. Following the CDC’s public health guidance, the University is taking proactive measures to minimize crowds by canceling events that will draw large audiences. The Museum will be closed until the fall semester.
The WCU Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology is a small, but dynamic teaching museum in which students co-curate insightful exhibits based on the Department of Anthropology and Sociology’s archaeological, ethnographic, primatological, historical, and artistic collections. Our collections span the globe and range from the prehistoric to modern, with a particular focus on the Americas, Rwanda, and Europe.
Current exhibit: Upcoming exhibit Earth Day at 50: Lessons for a Sustainable Future
In conjunction with the exhibition, Earth Day at 50: Lessons for a Sustainable Future, the Museum is pleased to have hosted acclaimed Mistif First Nations artist and environmental activist, Christi Belcourt, for a special presentation, “Indigenous Environmental Activism through Art” on Wed. October 14. Her works, including lithographs of “Wisdom of the Universe” and “Joy” and several banners designed by Isaac Murdoch and the Onaman Collective, will be on display in the exhibition. Click here to watch the recording.
Hours of Operation
We are open Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 p.m. during the academic year.
We are happy to arrange guided tours by appointment.
Location
The Museum is located in the Old Library Building at 775 S. Church Street.
Museum In the News
“Earth Day at 50” Exhibit Shifts to Fall
The Museum's newest exhibition, Earth Day at 50: Lessons for a Sustainable Future, was scheduled to open on April 22, the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Instead, five students in Dr. Di Giovine’s class on museum exhibit curation presented the April 22 lunchtime Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar via Zoom.
The Making of an Exhibit
Undergraduate and graduate student's in Dr. Di Giovine's Museum Exhibit Curation class work tirelessly to bring us the WCU Museum of Anthropology & Archaeology’s upcoming exhibit on Earth Day. Student co-curated annual exhibits are featured in the Museum, located on the first floor of the Old Library Building.
Exhibition Planning During a Time of Pandemic
Professor Michael A. Di Giovine and Student Co-Curators Natalie Fenner, Tyler C. Haney, Foster W. Krupp, Ben Popp, and Melina Schauerman - WCU Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology Earth Day at 50: Sustainability and Exhibition Planning in a Time of Pandemic
Object of the Month: Indigenous Andean Hat
Indigenous Andean Hat
The Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology recently received a grant from the Costume Society of America to aid in the preventative conservation of the unique collection of ethnographic hats in the Edmundo Morales Indigenous Andean Hat and Headress Collection. Students are learning basic principles and techiques for working with these textiles, such as this hat from Cuzo, Peru, as they partipate in ensuring their long-term preservation.