With 200 events and 180,000 visitors a year, the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is much more than a place for freshmen toga parties.
Newly hired Director Richard Hodges served as a field archaeologist with 40 years of experience under his belt. Unsurprisingly, he has big plans for the exhibition rooms of 33rd and Spruce streets, which house one of the finest collections of antiquities in the country.
In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Hodges shares his newest goals, biggest challenges, and why Philadelphia could learn a little from New York.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: What are some of your goals as director?
Richard Hodges: To help the museum and staff to really engage in the University in a different, revitalized way and equally to work with the community of Philadelphia.
DP: What role should the museum play in a student's life?
RH: It's easy to go to university in this day and age and get completely consumed in entirely contemporary culture. Part of the extraordinary history of this University are the exhibitions and the collections; it's Penn's window on the world. And, in that sense, the museum should merit every student spending even just a little bit of time in it.
DP: How do you plan to increase involvement of the Philadelphia community in the museum?
RH: To be honest, I'm so new, I cannot say how. But I'd like to find simple, straightforward ways to make it seem normal for families to come visit the museum as [in places like] New York. Try getting into a museum in New York on the weekends! It's incredible. That' s something we've got to learn a little bit about.
DP: Do you have any final words that you would like to add?
RH: I would particularly like graduate students from all departments to get involved; that would be fantastic. The museum needs young people - young people who really give it some vitality and who will take the experience to other museums around the world.
