Wake wonders: Inside the Lam Museum of Anthropology

Take a closer look at the Lam Museum of Anthropology with five things to know about this campus resource.

Lam Museum of Anthropology is one of Winston-Salem’s best hidden gems. It’s filled to the brim with opportunities for learning and engagement. For Wake Forest University faculty, staff, and students, its on campus location doesn’t get any more convenient. 

If you’ve lived in this area for long enough, especially if you grew up here, then you’ve likely heard of Lam Museum’s annual Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit. Most Winston-Salem Forsyth County schools even include seeing this exhibit as a regular field trip. However, the museum offers so much all year long, from education exhibits to workshops and even lessons and lectures brought into classrooms. 

Below are five surprising facts you might not know – but should – about Lam Museum. 

#1 – One-of-a-kind NC museum

Did you know that Lam Museum is the only museum in North Carolina that is dedicated to the study of global cultures? This makes it not only unique to our city but to the entire state. 

The museum is set up to help visitors “explore stories of humanity, from ancient archaeological sites to the celebrations and struggles of today.” It’s a great opportunity to learn about people and cultures around the globe without even needing to leave Winston-Salem or Wake’s campus. This is all made possible through their collection of everyday objects, ceremonial artifacts, and visual arts from different countries. 

#2 – Free admission 

Admission to Lam Museum is completely free! Parking is available in a lot located conveniently in front of the museum. 

While the muesum does charge for the occasional craft workshop, Lam Museum members do receive discounts. Sara Cromwell, assistant director at Lam Museum, shared a tip, “Wake Forest University faculty and staff can join at the lowest level of Educator ($25/year) to support the Museum’s mission and receive a discount on any program with a fee.”

Pro tip: There will be a free Archery Afternoon on Saturday, April 11, with demonstrations, crafts, and activities for all ages. 

#3 – Object-based lessons & activities for all disciplines

Cromwell shared that Lam Museum loves to collaborate with all disciplines at Wake Forest University. “We regularly work with faculty in Art, History, Music, Study of Religions, and language courses, but we also work with students from Philosophy, Theatre, English, Communication, and Biology. For example, we have hosted multiple lab sections for the Biology course “Plants and People.”

WFU professors have access to Lam Museum’s collection and resources to help their students build tangible connections to a variety of subjects. From getting support to showcase a specific culture, time period, geography, or social custom to integrating the collections into course lesson plans and even facilitating a student-curated exhibit, Lam Museum is available to bring different cultures to life for students. 

“We can enrich that lesson plan by putting authentic objects related to that context in front of their students, demonstrating the reality of their discussions and readings, while also giving them more detail than their text could describe,” said Cromwell. 

#4 – Exhibits rotate several times a year

While this museum is not huge, they make up for that with a vast collection and rotating exhibits throughout the year. Therefore, there is always something new and interesting to see on every visit. 

Current Exhibits

• Stories of Humanity: Anthropology in North Carolina (permanent exhibit): Provides an introduction to the four fields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, biological anthropology, and anthropological archaeology. 
• Archery: Hunting, Warfare and Identity (on exhibit through June 20, 2026): Highlights the Museum’s extensive collection of bows and arrows, as well as ceremonial items and other objects connected to archery. This exhibit was curated by WFU student Jake Smith (’25), as an internship project.
• Saddle Rugs and Tibetan Culture (on exhibit through March 28, 2026): Examines nine Tibetan saddle rugs, focusing on the design elements and their symbolism. This exhibit was curated by WFU student Michelle Ye (’25) as an internship project.
• Return to Sender? Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Repatriation (on exhibit through August 15, 2026): Features Aboriginal Australian tools, art, and other objects from the permanent collection. This exhibit was curated in collaboration with Dr. Asia Parker (WFU BA ’18), who conducted interviews in Australia.

Upcoming Exhibits

• Pocket Change: A Story of Coins through Time (opens March 17, 2026)
• Shelling Out: Traditional Currency from the Collection (opens March 17, 2026)
• Life after Death: Celebrating Day of the Dead ( opens September 8, 2026)

#5 – Lecture options available 

The museum is available to be an engaging classroom for a variety of disciplines. There is a classroom available for lectures, which can also serve as a gathering place for classes before touring the museum. Museum staff can also set up artifacts in the classroom right there for those with a specific need and not needing to go throughout the entire museum galleries.  

Cromwell shared on another offering from Lam Museum courtesy of Academic Director Andrew Gurstelle. “Dr. Gurstelle can also design a guest lecture, discussion, analytical activity, looking exercise, or something else, and then co-teach with the faculty to help facilitate the lesson. Typically, he’ll meet with the faculty once or twice before the museum visit to develop the learning outcomes and select meaningful objects. Faculty can reach out at any time.”

Visit Lam Museum of Anthropology

Lam Museum of Anthropology offers far more than most people realize. With free admission, rotating exhibits, and hands-on learning opportunities, it’s a campus resource that invites curiosity year-round. If you haven’t visited recently, or ever, this hidden gem on Wake Forest’s campus is well worth adding to your list.

Visit lammuseum.wfu.edu for more information.

For object-based lessons or lectures, contact Academic Director Dr. Andrew Gurstelle at gursteaw@wfu.edu. 

Up Next: In Part 2 of our Wake Wonders series we will showcase the stunning Graylyn Estate. Stay tuned for more information.