Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology

Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology The best kept secret at CSU Chico! The Valene L.

Smith Museum of Anthropology was established in 1970 in Trinity Hall at California State University, Chico, to support the Department of Anthropology’s unique and innovative museum training program. Today, the Museum of Anthropology continues to function as a multifaceted educational facility for students in the Museum Studies Program. The Museum Studies Program at CSU, Chico is one of the few mus

eum studies programs in the United States, where students conceive, research, design, and install exhibits as part of their formal training, as well as gain hands-on courses in museum collections management and other areas of museum studies. Students have two options in pursing a degree in museum studies: the Certificate in Museum Studies or the Masters Degree in Anthropology, with an Option in Museum Studies.

BE PART OF THE PRIDE! What should we name our guard lions? Catch their friendly faces (and ours!) at the Valene L Smith ...
05/12/2026

BE PART OF THE PRIDE! What should we name our guard lions? Catch their friendly faces (and ours!) at the Valene L Smith of Anthropology! Vote below!

05/07/2026

Under pressure? Join us today, May 7th for an exCLUEsive Mood Workshop from 4-5 pm at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology! Wellness experts Malama MacNeil and Diane Suzuki will be exploring movement techniques and their affect on mood 🌀🔎🧘🏽‍♀️🤸🏻☯️



.chicostate

05/04/2026

Action News now did a great segment on our newest exhibition, People’s History: Latin America and the Art of Protest. Thank you to Christine Stoddard for the coverage! Make sure to visit our link in bio to see the whole feature, and stop by the museum to see the exhibition for yourself!

⏰Summer Hours:
Mon-Thurs
11-3

📍MLIB 180

.chicostate .chicostate

05/04/2026
Happy Earth Day! 🌷🌎🌱 Earth Day is an internationally celebrated holiday promoting environmental protection and action. M...
04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌷🌎🌱 Earth Day is an internationally celebrated holiday promoting environmental protection and action. Many people sround the world participate in community clean up days, tree planting, education events, and eco activism. This year, Chico State and the greater Chico community have many opportunities to get involved this Earth Day and throughout April! Get your hands dirty and tend a native garden at or attend the Earth Day festival on campus.

Fun Facts 🪱
🌲All 132 acres of campus is an arboretum, with over 200 species of plants!
♻️The A.S. Compost Garden is available 24/7 to drop off your food waste near Yolo Hall and the tennis courts.
🐑The University Farm is open to the public. Visit the store to buy goods made by students and community partners.

.chicostate

Purrfect 🐾 day at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology. Spring Into Action with us!! 🌼🌸
04/04/2026

Purrfect 🐾 day at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology. Spring Into Action with us!! 🌼🌸

🎭 Put your actor face on and join us tonight for “Act Your Mood” with Dana Moore at the Valene L. Smith Museum 🎭The Nerv...
04/02/2026

🎭 Put your actor face on and join us tonight for “Act Your Mood” with Dana Moore at the Valene L. Smith Museum 🎭The Nerve

The Valene L Smith of Anthropology respects and honors the bravery of Delores Huerta for her recent statements, as well ...
03/30/2026

The Valene L Smith of Anthropology respects and honors the bravery of Delores Huerta for her recent statements, as well as other victims that have come forward, regarding sexual violence. The statement above reflects our commitment to rejecting systemic abuse and patriarchal violence, while the subsequent images reflect our duty to educate about issues of social justice and public history. We will be closed tomorrow to honor United Farmworker’s Day and the power of labor justice, union representation, and the work of farmworkers across the nation.

Address

California State University Chico
Chico, CA
95929

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+15308985397

Website

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