Over the past year and a half, the Penn Museum has become my second home! I have been involved with the museum in various ways, and I have enjoyed each and every single one. The museum has incredible artifacts and galleries. I love wandering around the museum with campers or after a Cartifacts shift. I am always learning something new.
History
The Penn Museum is an archaeology and anthropology museum at the University of Pennsylvania. It was opened in January 1890 after Provost William Pepper had started to modernize the university. Another influential figure in the Museum’s history is Sara Yorke Stevenson, who was the first female curator and president (1904–1905). She also played a pivotal role in the Museum’s early development and promotion of women archaeologists. Additionally, under directors like George Byron Gordon, the Museum led major expeditions to Ur, Egypt, Guatemala, Persia, and the American Southwest. Research and excavations are still important to the Museum. They conduct research all around the world, and they have more information on their website about their research.
My Connections
As I mentioned, I have been involved with the Penn Museum in various ways for over a year. I am a Cartifacts volunteer. That means I have a cart of artifacts that visitors can touch, ask questions about, and interact with. My first cart was artifacts from the Ancient Eastern Mediterranean region, and I am currently learning on the Rome cart. I love interacting with the visitors, and I have learned so much through this program. Additionally, I am a CIT at the Penn Anthropology Summer Camp. I love working with kids and anthropology, and this is a great mix of my interests! The camp is set up in a way that is fun, but also educational for the kids, and it is an experience I wish I had as a kid. Finally, I love attending the Hands-on History events at the museum. I wrote a post about one a few months ago, but these programs are so unique, and I walk around feeling so much smarter. All of these experiences have deepened my passion for anthropology and made the Penn Museum feel like a second home.
Galleries
There are numerous galleries in the museum, and each is unique and very educational. Below is a complete list with links to the Penn website where more information can be found. I may be a little bit biased because I volunteer at the museum, but I think it is one of the best in the country. It is the perfect size, has a great mix of interactive elements, and has the best staff! I would highly recommend coming for a visit if you are in the Philly area.
Living in Culture 
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