Opened in 1976, the Museum of Anthropology is arguably the most intriguing museum in the northeast. It is the largest teaching museum in Canada, and accommodates nearly 170,000 visitors annually. The museum is devoted to the archaeological and ethnographic discoveries around the world, but primarily those pertaining to British Columbia.

The Museum is home to one of the world’s most impressive collections of art and relics from the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. As one enters the museum and on into the Great Hall, one is immediately subjected to some of the most imposing statues and artifacts ever found. The Great Hall displays gigantic totem poles, canoes, statues, liquid jugs and dishes hand-crafted by the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nisga'a, Giutsan, Halda, and Coast Salish peoples - the first inhabitants of the British Columbia area. Onlookers will be astounded at the mastery and detail involved during such a primitive stage for man. The Museum also houses the world's largest collection of artwork by Halda artist Bill Reid, including his famed cedar sculptures, “The Raven and the First Men.”

The Koemer Ceramics Gallery showcases European wares unique only to North America, with a 600-piece collection of 15th to 19th century ceramics and textiles by contemporary Vancouver artists. The extensive Visible Storage Galleries house more than 13,000 objects, arranged according to culture and use. And visitors will no doubt enjoy the outdoor sculpture area as well, with ten magnificent totem poles and two Halda Houses on display.

The Museum of Anthropology is the winner of the 1989 Canadian Tourism Commission's '”Tourist Attraction of the Year” award.