Pitt Rivers Museum

About

The Pitt Rivers Museum, one of Oxford’s most celebrated speciality museums, occupies a magnificent late‑Victorian building that adjoins the University of Oxford’s Natural History Museum. Founded in 1884 by the University’s first professor of anthropology, Augustus Pitt‑Rivers, the museum has become renowned for its typologically‑based arrangement that offers a single, immersive journey through the material culture of every continent and every epoch. Its holdings now exceed 500,000 objects, photographs and manuscripts, ranging from ancient megalithic tools to contemporary urban artefacts, alongside a vast collection of ethnographic photographs that document the everyday lives of peoples around the world. Architecturally, the museum sits in a stately stone structure with a gently sloping roof and airy galleries that allow visitors to step directly into the narrative of global history. The iconic 11‑metre Haida totem pole, which crowns the south façade, is a striking centerpiece, while the galleries host other highlights such as ceremonial masks, carvings, colonial costume, shrunken heads (now re‑presented in respectful context) and the original Minoan palace frescoes. In recent years the museum has re‑imagined its exhibitions to foreground voices that were previously marginalized. Through programs such as the Multaka network, co‑created with the Museum of Anthropology, and the Living Cultures initiative, the Pitt Rivers Museum works in partnership with source communities to reposition narratives, remove objects that no longer serve an educational purpose, and integrate contemporary cultural expressions. These efforts underline the museum’s commitment to inclusive storytelling, decolonisation, and social responsibility. The museum offers a range of family‑friendly tours, guided walks, and a frequently updated programme of talks, workshops and special events that bridge the gap between scholarly research and the wider public. Set within the heart of Oxford, the museum’s accessibility and welcoming atmosphere make it a must‑visit destination for history enthusiasts, anthropologists, students, and casual visitors alike.