Metta's Story: Museum of Anthropology

USU's Anthro Museum Re-Opens
By Metta Ray
April 17, 2008

The Museum of Anthropology at Utah State University will be hosting a reopening reception on April 26 at 4:30 p.m. in Old Main building room 252 on the USU campus.

The museum has received new case lighting, new paint, new carpet, and exhibit improvements donated by the Office of Museum Services in Salt Lake City, museum supporters Richard and Joyce Shipley and USU. Graduate and undergraduate students have designed and executed the exhibit changes.


A total of thirteen exhibits have been updated including the ancient city of Petra, the origins of writing and the rock art of the local region. According to Utah State News, museum coordinator, Sara Lundberg said “The students in Dr. Pitblado’s course attacked this semester-long project with enthusiasm and energy, and some have taken their exhibits in exciting new directions.” Melissa Allen is an undergraduate student of anthropology and a museum docent. “There’s a brand new exhibit on body modification, it’s gonna be bad-ass” Allen said “I’m hoping to get in on that [project].”

Allen runs the Saturday programs which focuses on a different culture or a different theme every week. “This week we’re doing a class on the culture of India” Allen said “it’s going to be really fun, we’re even doing Henna tattoos.”

The Museum of Anthropology is funded through donations, but mostly through grants. The funding for the Saturday program runs out in June according to Allen, “so we all went to capitol hill in March and lobbied for more grant money.” If the money does not come through, the program will have to stop “I don’t know what we’re going to do, we’re just hoping” Allen said. Attendance is recorded at the museum and makes a difference when trying to earn grant money.

The museum features 24 total exhibits and numerous collections researched by undergraduate students in USU’s Museum Studies Classes. The Museum of Anthropology is open year- round, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering hands on activities for both children and adults free of charge. The museum can host groups with advance notice and offer customized lessons to fit any purpose. The museum also offers a newly developed series of educational materials called ‘teaching kits’ that can be used by teachers, students and families if they are not able to go to the museum itself.

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