Museum of Anthropology

Frommer's Review

This isn't just any old museum. In 1976, architect Arthur Erickson created a classic native post-and-beam-style structure out of poured concrete and glass to house one of the world's finest collections of West Coast native art.

Enter through doors that resemble a huge, carved, bent-cedar box. Artifacts from different coastal communities flank the ramp leading to the Great Hall's collection of totem poles. Haida artist Bill Reid's cedar bear and sea wolf sculptures sit at the Cross Roads; Reid's masterpiece, The Raven and the First Men, is worth the price of admission all by itself. The huge carving in glowing yellow cedar depicts a Haida creation myth, in which Raven -- the trickster -- coaxes humanity out into the world from its birthplace in a clamshell. Some of Reid's fabulous jewelry creations in gold and silver are also on display.

The Masterpiece Gallery's argillite sculptures, beaded jewelry, and hand-carved ceremonial masks lead the way to the Visible Storage Galleries, where more than 15,000 artifacts are arranged by culture. You can open the glass-topped drawers to view small treasures and stroll past larger pieces housed in tall glass cases.

Also at the museum is the somewhat incongruous Koerner Ceramics Gallery, a collection of European ceramics that -- while interesting -- is really only there because old man Koerner had the money to endow the wing to hold his collection. The museum is currently undergoing a major reconstruction scheme that will dramatically increase gallery space; work is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Take a walk around the grounds behind the museum. Overlooking Point Grey are two longhouses built according to the Haida tribal style, resting on the traditional north-south axis. Ten hand-carved totem poles stand in attendance along with contemporary carvings on the longhouse facades. Note: You might want to visit the nearby UBC Botanical Garden and Nitobe Japanese Garden. A number of trails also lead down to a few of Vancouver's most pristine beaches.

Missing Bill Reid -- In May 2008, thieves broke into the Museum of Anthropology and stole a dozen small gold sculptures by Bill Reid. Less than a month later, the police recovered all but two pieces from two homes in South Burnaby.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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