About The museum
The museum originally operated as the All College Museum throughout the 1970s and 80s and in 2007 was established as the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology under the operation of the Department of Anthropology & Sociology. It is West Chester University’s teaching center for museum studies and a nexus for students, the campus, and greater community. Through sequenced coursework and practice, students learn the nuances of exhibit development and curation, museum administration, object collections management, and audience research.
The Museum maintains a permanent collection of archaeological and ethnographic materials that form the core of its exhibits and annually presents an original student co-curated exhibition. Past exhibits have featured Native American art and culture, The Silk Road, foodways, human rights in Latin America, and the Roaring 20s. University faculty are encouraged to explore and utilize these exhibits with their students. The Museum welcomes community members and groups.
The Museum, which is under the direction of Dr. Michael A. Di Giovine, is part of the West Chester University Museums and Special Archives (WCUMSA), which is composed of our institution, the Francis Harvey Green Library, and the WCU Special Collections. The Museum is a member of the American Alliance of Museums.
Student co-curated annual exhibits are featured in the Museum, located on the first floor atrium or basement of the Old Library Building.
Museum Studies students talk about their experiences
Photo Credit: Taria Rivera-Montes
