Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Mining in the West
Thursday, Jul. 05, 2012
Mining in the West is the subject of the next 'Saturdays at the Museum' activity at USU’s Museum of Antrhopology. Activities include screenings of an award-winning documentary, "Los Mineros." (photo from the museum’s website)
The award-winning documentary Los Mineros is the centerpiece of the next Saturday’s at the Museum activity July 7 at Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology with “Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Mining in the West.”
The documentary will be shown throughout the day. It tells the story of Mexican American copper miners and their struggle to shape the course of Arizona history during the twentieth century.
Informative posters focusing on the experiences of various cultural groups and their contributions to the development of mining in the West will be on display at the museum.
In activities designed for younger guests, children can participate in a dig-box excavation for “gold,” learn about how mining in the West has changed over the course of the past century and a half and listen to fun mining legends.
“The ‘Wild West’ was settled by diverse groups of people — many cultures have contributed to and have been greatly affected by the development of mining in the American West, and we hope to highlight some of the experiences of these groups,” said Candice Cravins, a museum assistant and USU archaeology graduate student. “The topic is also of great relevance today, especially considering the history of uranium mining and its effects on the Navajo people living in our very own state of Utah — it’s a topic that has recently made its way back into national news, with current efforts being made towards massive cleanup within the Navajo Nation.”
In addition to the Saturday activity series, community members and USU students alike can visit the museum during its standard operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Funding for the Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online.
The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.
For more information about museum events, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website.
The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Related links:
- USU Anthropology Program
- USU Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
- USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Source: Museum of Anthropology
Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, (435) 797-7545, anthro.museum@usu.edu
