Hearst Museum of Anthropology

We are anthropologists, educators and researchers, motivated by a passion for preserving stories today in order to make new connections tomorrow. Our mission is to steward a vast collection of objects spanning the infinite breadth of human cultures to advance knowledge and understanding. Inspired by our founder, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, we promote the tools of humanists and social scientists, encouraging people to reflect on alternative perspectives, connect with others, and take action for positive change.

Founded in 1901, the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology is dedicated to the study of cultures from yesterday and today, both near and far. Today, the Museum contains an estimated 3.8 million objects from California and around the world, as well as extensive documents, photographs and film recordings. We continue a legacy of enrichment and education, functioning as a research unit for the University of California, Berkeley by supporting scholarly discovery and community-based re