Spring Semester Operations Update

The Museum of Anthropology remains closed to the public indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As was the case in the fall, the University will not allow outside visitors to access campus through the spring semester.

The Museum staff is very pleased that the final steps of renovating our new building are underway.  Although this ongoing work will prevent the Museum from opening with a full complement of exhibitions, we will have a small selection of exhibits accessible to Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff beginning on March 1.  The Museum will be open for limited hours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Museum visitors will be required to follow all campus COVID-19 safety measures including wearing a mask and adhering to social distancing requirements.

New Exhibits

The Museum recently installed an updated version of our permanent exhibit, Stories of Humanity: Anthropology in North Carolina in our new location.  Providing an introduction to the four sub-fields of anthropology and examining how anthropologists work together to tell stories of humanity in our own state, this popular exhibit will remain on view for several years.

Also opening this semester will be a small selection of student-curated exhibits developed by MOA interns.  The Private Lives of Pots, curated by David Mulder (’20), examines a collection of ancient Middle Eastern ceramics donated to the Museum in 2017.  It showcases perfume bottles, oil lamps, and other small pots dating from the first to seventh century CE.  Animal Origin: Tokens and Tools from Faunal Remains, curated by Robby Outland (’21), explores how using animal bone, fur, teeth, and hide in constructing objects can enhance connections between people and powerful creatures in surprising ways.  Mini-exhibit Exchange in Melanesia, curated by Forsyth Tech intern Bryce Kroll, highlights cultural diversity in the Melanesian islands by focusing on exchange goods and currency.  These exhibits will be on display through the end of 2021.

You can always find information about what we’ve been doing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @wfumoa.  Please know that we are anxiously looking forward to a time when we can see all our patrons again safely!