The Pick Museum of Anthropology at NIU

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The Pick Museum of Anthropology at NIU Inspiring activism for social justice and promoting understanding of human diversity. The museum houses over 12,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects.

The Anthropology Museum at Northern Illinois University was founded in 1964 and is operated as part of the Department of Anthropology. The Museum specializes in cultures of Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Africa, and Native America. In addition, the Museum holds smaller collections from Mesoamerica and South America. The Museum is particularly proud of the textile collection which contains over

700 pieces. Located in Cole Hall on NIU's campus, the Anthropology Museum is open to the public with free admission. DONATE TO THE PICK MUSEUM
Help the Pick Museum to sustain student opportunities! Every year, the Museum provides student training for the next generation of museum professionals, but we can’t do it without you! Please go to http://bit.ly/2rUpTEy and show your support!

Today marks the beginning of NIU’s annual “Huskies United”, a 24-hour fundraiser to support programs throughout the univ...
01/04/2026

Today marks the beginning of NIU’s annual “Huskies United”, a 24-hour fundraiser to support programs throughout the university. The Pick Museum of Anthropology is honored to be included this year alongside many wonderful departments, centers, and programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Our goal is to expand our paid internship program and offer more opportunities for students to explore museum careers.

If you are able, please consider donating by visiting https://www.givecampus.com/schools/NorthernIllinoisUniversityFoundation/huskies-united/pages/clas/pick-museum

Thank you for your support of our students!

We're looking forward to talking with some of the students who recently worked at the Pick Museum of Anthropology during...
01/04/2026

We're looking forward to talking with some of the students who recently worked at the Pick Museum of Anthropology during tomorrow's panel on "Working in Museums."

Curious about a career in museums or wonder what goes on behind the scenes? Students will answer questions about their recent projects at the Pick Museum, how they became involved, what they learned through the process, and what they are hoping to do next.

Join us at 3 p.m., Thursday, April 2 in the museum gallery (Cole Hall 114).

🐥 Ready for a spring adventure? Visit both the NIU Art Museum and the The Pick Museum of Anthropology at NIU to play our...
24/03/2026

🐥 Ready for a spring adventure?

Visit both the NIU Art Museum and the The Pick Museum of Anthropology at NIU to play our Quack-lection game!

Here’s how it works:
➡️ Stop by each museum during open hours (7 minutes walking distance from each other)
➡️ Pick up a mystery duckie blind bag at both locations
➡️ See which tiny collectible ducks you get – every bag is a surprise!

Each blind bag includes two mystery mini ducks – no peeking until you open it!
Free and open to the public. Available while supplies last – so don’t wait!
Make a day of it, explore both museums, and start your duckie collection.

Sponsored by the NIU Center for Burma Studies

We are back from spring break and excited for a busy week of programs. First up, we hope to see you at a talk by Oneida ...
16/03/2026

We are back from spring break and excited for a busy week of programs. First up, we hope to see you at a talk by Oneida artist Camille Billie on "Expressions of Indigeneity" on Wednesday, March 18 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The talk will be in Cole Hall 100 with a reception to follow at the Pick Museum where you can view a display of some of her art.

This event is organized by the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and co-sponsored by the Pick Museum of Anthropology. Camille Billie will also be leading a print-making workshop on March 19, 2–4p.m (Jack Arends Hall, room 408). More information on this event can be found on the NIU calendar.

Hard to believe it's already time for spring break. The museum will be open tomorrow (Saturday, March 6) if you are look...
06/03/2026

Hard to believe it's already time for spring break. The museum will be open tomorrow (Saturday, March 6) if you are looking for something to do on campus. We'll then be closed from March 7–16 to give our gallery assistants some time to relax and get ready for the rest of the semester.

We'll be hosting another Crafting Community tomorrow (Friday, March 6) from 10am–noon in the gallery. This is a casual g...
06/03/2026

We'll be hosting another Crafting Community tomorrow (Friday, March 6) from 10am–noon in the gallery. This is a casual gathering to work on crafts, maybe try something new, while catching up with friends. We have plenty of supplies on hand, but feel free to bring your own project. What would you like to make this week?

Reminder to join us in the museum gallery (Cole Hall 114) TOMORROW (Tuesday, Feb 24), 11am–noon for coffee and conversat...
23/02/2026

Reminder to join us in the museum gallery (Cole Hall 114) TOMORROW (Tuesday, Feb 24), 11am–noon for coffee and conversation with Jessi Haish LaRue, Executive Director of the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center in DeKalb.

Jessi is proving that history can be innovative, community-powered, and anything but dusty. Leading the organization since 2022, she brings a creative, forward-looking approach to the birthplace of “The Winner” barbed wire—home to two National Register of Historic Places buildings. An eighth-generation DeKalb County resident and descendant of barbed wire baron Jacob Haish, Jessi’s connection to local history is both deeply personal and future-focused. With a journalism background from Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University, she pairs strong storytelling with strategic vision, guiding a lean operation of one part-time staff member and a dedicated volunteer team, funded entirely by donations. Under her leadership, the Homestead has expanded programming, fundraising, and public engagement, including the launch of Barbed Wire Weekend in 2024 celebrating the 150th anniversary of Joseph F. Glidden’s patent, and earning a 2026 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year nomination.

Bagels and coffee from Einstein's will be provided. Hope to see you there!

The Pick Museum of Anthropology gallery will be closed on Saturday, February 21st. We apologize for the inconvenience bu...
20/02/2026

The Pick Museum of Anthropology gallery will be closed on Saturday, February 21st. We apologize for the inconvenience but hope to see you in the gallery another day.

Cat pic for views 🐈

We are back in the gallery this Friday (Feb. 13), 10am–noon for another Crafting Community. This week, we'll be making c...
12/02/2026

We are back in the gallery this Friday (Feb. 13), 10am–noon for another Crafting Community. This week, we'll be making cards for Valentine's Day. You are also welcome to bring your own crafts or use our supplies to work on something else while hanging out.

Thank you to Anthropology Club students for these lovely cards. It was sweet to find their kind notes when we got to work this morning 💕

NIU Department of Anthropology

Join us for coffee and conversation at our next Pros at the Pick, Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. to noon in the Pick Muse...
12/02/2026

Join us for coffee and conversation at our next Pros at the Pick, Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. to noon in the Pick Museum of Anthropology gallery in Cole Hall. Pros at the Pick is a space to make connections and gain insight about what really goes on in museums. This semester we are excited to feature Jessi Haish LaRue, the Executive Director of the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center in DeKalb.

Jessi is proving that history can be innovative, community-powered, and anything but dusty. Leading the organization since 2022, she brings a creative, forward-looking approach to the birthplace of “The Winner” barbed wire—home to two National Register of Historic Places buildings. An eighth-generation DeKalb County resident and descendant of barbed wire baron Jacob Haish, Jessi’s connection to local history is both deeply personal and future-focused. With a journalism background from Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University, she pairs strong storytelling with strategic vision, guiding a lean operation of one part-time staff member and a dedicated volunteer team, funded entirely by donations. Under her leadership, the Homestead has expanded programming, fundraising, and public engagement, including the launch of Barbed Wire Weekend in 2024 celebrating the 150th anniversary of Joseph F. Glidden’s patent, and earning a 2026 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year nomination.

Bagels and coffee from Einstein's will be provided. Hope to see you there!

Address

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Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday 10:00 - 16:00
Friday 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday 10:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+18157532011

Website

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