Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
north to the North Arm of the Fraser River in the south, separating the campus from the
City of Vancouver neighborhoods of Point Grey, Mackenzie Heights, Dunbar, and South-
lands.
If you're interested in learning more about the university, take a self-guided walking
tour. Call 604/822-8687 for information.
MM
Museum of Anthropology
Containing the world's largest collection of arts and crafts of the Pacific Northwest native
peoples,andextensivelyrenovatedin2010,theexcellenton-campus
Museum of Anthro-
pology
(6393 NW Marine Dr., 604/822-5087,
http://moa.ubc.ca
, 10am-5pm daily in sum-
mer, 10am-5pm Tues.-Sun. the rest of the year, adult $17, senior and student $15) should
not be missed. Designed by innovative Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, the ultramod-
ern concrete-and-glass building perches on a high cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and
mimics the post-and-beam structures favored by the Coast Salish.
The entrance is flanked by panels in the shape of a bent box, which the Salish believed
containedthemeaningoflife.Inside,aramplinedwithimpressivesculpturesbyrenowned
modern-day carvers leads to the Great Hall, a cavernous 18-meter (59-foot) room domin-
ated by towering totem poles collected from along the coast and interspersed with other
ancient works. A museum highlight is the collection of works by Haida artist Bill Reid,
including
The Raven and the First Men,
which is carved from a four-ton chunk of yellow
cedar, drenched in natural light, and raised above sand from the Queen Charlotte Islands.
The surrounding seats are popular spots to sit and simply stare. Other displays include in-
tricatecarvings,baskets,ceremonialmasks,fabulousjewelry,andEuropeanceramics.The
museum holds more than 200,000 artifacts, most of which are stored in uniquely access-
ible research collections. Instead of being stored in musty boxes out back and available
only to anthropologists, the collections are stored in the main museum—in row upon row
of glass-enclosed cabinets and in drawers that visitors are encouraged to open. Details of
each piece are noted in binders.
Outside, a deliciously scented woodland path on the left side of the museum leads to a
reconstructed Haida village and some contemporary totem poles with descriptive plaques.
If you have your own vehicle, make sure you have a fistful of change to park in the lot
beside the museum ($1 for every 20 minutes). The museum is open until 9pm on Tues-
days, with admission by donation after 5pm.
