Our Collection
The Maxey Museum holds a diverse collection of artifacts. Since its establishment in 1899, the museum has served as Whitman College's repository for artifacts of historical value. The bulk of the collection was donated between 1900 and 1940 and was consistent with Howard S. Brode's vision of separate branches for history (local Euro-American artifacts) and anthropology (local and worldwide artifacts of indigenous cultural significance). Though Brode's clear distinction between civilized history and savage anthropology has long since disappeared, the museum continues to preserve objects of cultural and historical significance in the Northwest. Notable collections include:
The Myron Eells Northwest Collection of Puget Sound Native American artifacts.
The Louise Blair Basket Collection.
The Filipino Weaponry Collection, donated by the McFadden family.
The David C. Graham Collection of Chinese Anthropology.
The Pettijohn Collection of Native American beadwork.
The Walter Crosby Eells Collection of Japanese lacquerware.
The Frances Stickles and Anderson Collections of Ancient Mediterranean artifacts.
The Chinese in Walla Walla Collection, donated by Virgil Davin.
If you are interested in researching the Maxey Museum’s collections or have questions, please contact
Libby Miller, Exhibitions and Collections Manager
509-527-5294
To view the Maxey Museum’s online collections database, please click the image below.
