Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology

50th Anniversary

Cheers to 50 years

Watch Our Cheers to 50 Years Video

You are Invited!

Help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary this fall by attending our free Virtual Programs!

Friday, October 9th from 1:00 –2:00 pm

Take a Virtual Tour of the Museum s current gallery exhibition, Unbroken Traditions: Basketweavers of the Meadows-Baker Families of Northern California. Meet and talk with the students who curated the exhibit, and the museum faculty, staff, and consultants who worked with them.

Saturday, October 10th from 2:00-3:00 pm

Join us for a Cheers to 50 Years virtual celebration!

  • Enjoy a fun virtual gathering and raise a glass in celebration with museum directors, students, alumni, curators, advisory board, members, friends, and guests.
  • Here are just a few things to expect:
    • We will debut a short retrospective video and take a peek into the past 50 years of museum exhibits and programs, and meet some of the students, faculty, and staff who helped shape the museum.
    • Hear from special guests like the museum’s founder, Keith Johnson!
    • Learn how the museum is adapting to a new landscape during the pandemic, including the creation of virtual exhibitions and programs and building on our commitment to social equity and decolonization. Enjoy a few surprises, make new friends, reconnect, and enjoy an hour of good cheer in celebration of the museum’s long and successful history!

Click here (PDF) to see the Celebration Party Agenda and Party Recipes! 

These events are free and open to the public!

The events are part of the University’s Alumni and Family Weekend, which has also gone Virtual this year. Check out their schedule of events here!

The museum would like to thank local PBS station KIXE(opens in new window) for their sponsorship.