IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

07/07/2026

Join us on Thursday, July 9 at 5:30 PM to bask in the beauty of summertime with "Summer at the Museum"!

Cool off with the one-of-a-kind flavors of Ale's Ice Cream Shop while you create, connect, and enjoy the Museum’s immersive atmosphere. The first 50 attendees will receive a voucher for a free scoop of ice cream!

Get inspired with a range of hands-on activities—from crafting beaded plants and shell trinket dishes to making personalized keepsakes like picture frames, mini sun-catchers, and festive pennant flags.

Designed for guests of all ages, this relaxed program is perfect for friends, families, or anyone looking to enjoy seaside summer vibes from the heart of Indiana. Beat the heat and join us for an evening of fun!

416 N Indiana Ave
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Free & Open to All
No Pre-Registration Required

06/19/2026

The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will be closed today, June 19 and tomorrow, June 20 in observance of Juneteenth.

To learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth, we invite you to visit this informational page from the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

We wish everyone a happy and meaningful Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is an often overlooked event in our nation’s history. On June 19, 1865, Union troops freed enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay and across Texas some two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

06/09/2026

Mark your calendars for this Thursday!🐾

The IUMAA takes over Granfalloon Festival on June 11 for a one-of-a-kind pet-themed evening featuring fun activities and crafts, a donation drive, and the chance to give a deserving animal their forever home through on-site adoption opportunities in partnership with the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control (a.k.a. the Bloomington Animal Shelter)

Keep an eye out for adoptable cat bios in our story over the next few days!

Come for the community, stay for the cuddles. 🐶🐱

📅 June 11 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
📍 416 N Indiana Ave, Bloomington

06/02/2026

🐾 Granfalloon at the Museum + Animal Shelter Drive! 🐾

We’re teaming up with the Bloomington Animal Shelter for a donation drive leading up to our Granfalloon celebration on June 11 and we’d love your help supporting local animals in need.

Don't miss the adoption event at Granfalloon at the Museum, June 11 5:30-7:30pm!

Donate now through June 11 by dropping items off at IUMAA, and we’ll hand them off to shelter staff when they are here for the program.

Most-needed items include:
• Canned dog & cat food
• Soft dog treats (Pupperoni, Bil Jacs)
• Medium/large dog toys (squeaky & soft)
• Cat toys
• Peanut butter & Kongs
• Large linens (bath towels, flat sheets, blankets/comforters)

Browse the full wishlist:
https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/donate-supplies

06/01/2026

Meet Kenzie Day,

a recent graduate of the Curatorship MA program with a certificate in Underwater Resource Management.

Through her work with the IU Center for Underwater Science, Kenzie gained hands-on experience in underwater archaeology—completing fieldwork in the Dominican Republic and Lake Michigan, conducting independent research on 16th-century Spanish ceramics, and presenting at the Society for Historical Archaeology conference. After beginning the program with no dive experience, she earned her PADI Rescue certification and is now a divemaster candidate.

As her capstone project, she co-curated "Shipwrecks: Living Museums," weaving together stories of Spanish trade networks, Indiana shipwrecks, IU’s Academic Diving program, and the Indigenous peoples of Hispaniola to showcase more than 20 years of research at IU.

“I am so happy to share this exhibition with the public and highlight the incredible work of the Center for Underwater Science. Bringing these different histories together was challenging at times, but it ultimately reveals a uniquely interconnected story. I’m so grateful to have been part of it!”

Congratulations, Kenzie!

05/20/2026

Meet Ash Eversole,

a graduating MA student in Ancient History.

During their time at IUMAA as Business Assistant, Ash gained an in-depth understanding of the financial side of museum operations while also exploring how collections are managed, exhibitions are developed, and community programs come to life.

Ash says, "I've loved my time at IUMAA, and can't wait to apply what I've learned in my future career!"

Congratulations, Ash!

05/19/2026

Meet Sarah Muckerheide,

co-curator of "Shipwrecks: Living Museums" and a graduate student here at IU.

Working with the IU Center for Underwater Science, Sarah has conducted fieldwork in the Dominican Republic, carried out archival research in Seville, Spain, and presented her findings on a mysterious mid-16th-century Spanish vessel at a national archaeology conference. Basically, she's living the coolest life possible.

Here are some quotes from Sarah about her experience working with the Museum on "Shipwrecks: Living Museums."

Thank you for all your hard work, Sarah!

05/18/2026

Congratulations to Claire Chaille,

a graduating senior majoring in anthropology. Through her practicum at the Museum, Claire connected archaeological reports to their accession numbers, bridged archives to objects, and uncovered new stories each day.

"The practicum at IUMAA has been a wonderful opportunity to further my understanding of archaeology, archives, and collections... It's really cool to read through an actual archaeological report detailing fieldwork and its findings."

Congratulations again, Claire!