Test yourself on the history of MOA

At the edge of the UBC Vancouver campus, beyond the curve of Northwest Marine Drive, on tree-lined cliffs with a view of Howe Sound and West Vancouver, stands the Museum of Anthropology (MOA). Between the Museum proper and the Laboratory of Archaeology, the building houses more than 500,000 objects, belongings, and artworks from over 800 different cultures. After closing for a year and a half to undergo seismic upgrades, MOA reopened in June 2024 — just in time for its 75th anniversary. 

Put your knowledge of this UBC landmark to the test, and learn about the past 75 years (and counting!) of MOA history.

When were the oldest objects in the MOA collection created?

Before 5000 BCE

4000 to 3000 BCE

2000 to 1000 BCE

After 500 BCE

In 1927, Frank Burnett donated his collection to UBC, which would become the founding collection of MOA. Roughly how many objects were in the initial donation?

12

120

1,200

12,000

When MOA first opened in 1949, which of these buildings did it call home? - Select -Sedgewick LibraryBuchanan BuildingWesbrook BuildingMain Library

Which architect designed the iconic MOA building?

Moshe Safdie

Vladimir Plavsic

Arthur Erickson

Frank Lloyd Wright

Landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander (LLD’91) selected a variety of native BC plants to surround MOA. Which of the following was NOT planted on the Museum grounds? - Select -Western hemlockCanada thistleMapleMahonia

In what year did MOA open at its current location on the cliffs overlooking Howe Sound?

1956

1966

1976

1986

Two Haida Houses stand on the MOA grounds near the Yosef Wosk Reflecting Pond. True or false: The Haida Houses are modeled on a family dwelling and a mortuary chamber.

True

False

Which Musqueam artist made the welcome figure that stands outside the entrance to MOA?

William Dan

Susan Point

Richard Campbell

Chrystal Sparrow

This art piece, located beside the welcome figure outside MOA, was created by Musqueam artist Joe Becker in 2010. Before Becker became an artist, what was his profession?

Lumberjack

Blacksmith

Park ranger

Fisherman

A pole carved by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Ellen Neel was on loan from 1985 to 2024, when it returned to MOA to ensure its preservation. Where in Vancouver did the pole stand while on loan?

Stanley Park

Vancouver Art Gallery

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Queen Elizabeth Park

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Did you know that UBC alumni receive 2-for-1 admission to MOA?

Don’t wait to experience the history of MOA for yourself! Download the alumni UBC app to take advantage of 2-for-1 museum admission and a wealth of other alumni deals.