Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

 This is stunning museum has  a huge collection focused on the culture and art of the peoples of the Pacific Northwest.  The Museum of Anthropology is impressive from the entry way and central gallery focused on totem poles.  They are huge, some about 30' tall, and fascinating.  Many are visual representations of religious stories and historical events.  The collection of bent wood boxes was just as impressive.  The cedar is steamed and bent to form a box with few seams.  It reminded me of just how important objects used to be and how they were crafted with care and meant to be passed from generation to generation.  It is the opposite of today's culture of disposal.  My favorite object was for built for use in potlatch.  It looked like a train set for children to ride, but was meant for communal dishes of food.  It came with a huge serving spoon.  One thing I especially appreciated was that traditional art forms were presented along with new pieces created by tribal members.  It shows how the artistic vision of the communities continue to change through time.  The work of Haida artist Bill Reid was presented in a large dramatic rotunda.  His work ranged from the monumental to delicate pieces of jewelry.

There is a collection of smaller objects that must include thousands of pieces from masks to toys to objects used in daily life.  

It would take a full day to enjoy everything.  It is in my top ten best museums.  

This is about 15' long

There is a nice gift shop and a cafe where we had lattes and bannock.  The museum is on the campus of the University of British Columbia, which is well worth walking around.  There is a pretty rose garden and impressive central quad.