The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology has announced that, with news of the continuing concern of COVID-19, the museum will remain closed to the public until further notice to limit the spread of the virus in the community. C
hanges affecting visitation will be communicated quickly via the museum website and Facebook and Instagram pages for the most current information.
A statement from the museum said, “During this challenging time, when we cannot serve our visitors in person, we are working to increase our online resources for students, educators, and all looking for solace and information. We will be sharing worksheets and other educational resources for K-12 students and educators on our website and through social media.”
In response to the public health situation, curator of exhibits Devorah Romanek is creating a new and rapidly evolving virtual exhibition COVID-19: Concepts of Sickness and Wellness that will provide historical and anthropological contexts on the current challenges and helpful information for New Mexico residents. The site will share stories, collections, and research through all of the museum’s digital platforms.
Museums are places where visitors encounter, explore, and engage with objects, ideas and topics that are new, familiar or challenging. And they are places where people can gather safely. In the face of the global Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the museum will extend its mission with this online exhibition about the current pandemic and different ways to know about it and look at it. The virtual exhibition will offer this information in partnership with many scholars, institutions and individuals with the goal to educate and add perspectives.
Romanek is just beginning to put this exhibition together, so suggests online visitors keep checking back. Throughout the process, the site will provide factual information and resources regarding the current pandemic, and consider other pandemics and epidemics past and present, different approaches to health and wellness, cultural, geographic and group and personal responses to widespread illness.
“We look forward to re-opening our doors when we can safely do so, and until then, we welcome you to our virtual museum,” said Maxwell director Carla M. Sinopoli.
** Last update - 3.20.2020, 4:30 p.m.