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The importance of anthropology in today's world stems from the fact that it helps create a better understanding of humanity’s past, present, and future. Truman Warner was one of many individuals during the twentieth century who understood that significance and made it part of his life’s work to collect and study cultural objects and other associated artifacts from around the world. At WCSU, the Truman Warner Anthropological Collection synthesizes international cultures – highlighting their respective complexities, similarities and differences. One can argue that the theme of his collection is humanity’s innate ability for creativity and individual expression. Though as will be examined in this carefully crafted curation, there are other themes that come to light. The artifacts presented in the pages below capture some of the cultural synergies associated with global industrialization as well as Western contact. Given the fact that the following artifacts are from various regions around the world, they cannot necessarily be compared one-for-one verbatim. However, they each, in their own unique manner, speak to the concepts of point-of-contact, industrialization, culture sharing, and resource adaptation. For some of the objects, these concepts may present themselves in a more direct manner; for others, it may be more subtle. While there is a degree of interpretation, as is the case with any art forms in general, there are nonetheless patterns that emerge from the objects. 

Click to view other objects in the Truman Warner Anthropological Collection

The cultural objects utilized in this project stem from the following regions: Africa, Asia, Central America, North America and Europe. Click on each region to view its home page --where the cultural objects and other contextual information can be found. 

Truman Warner's Anthropological Collection:  

A Professor of Anthropology and History, Dr. Warner had spent nearly forty years with WCSU before retiring in 1995. He had served as a medic for the US Army during World War II, from 1942 to 1946, having been in North Africa, Italy and France. Before joining the Army, though, he had graduated from what was then the Danbury State Teacher’s College. While he had an established passion for anthropology and history prior to his military service, it was in the time after being discharged that he began to cement his dedication and begin an illustrious career as an academic. He amassed a wide variety of artifacts and cultural objects – beyond what is discussed in the sections below. Though his academic focus was on Asia and Africa, he taught courses beyond those areas – including introductory anthropology courses (e.g., Cultural Anthropology). According to Curriculum Analysis Committee minutes from the 1970 – 1971 academic year, Cultural Anthropology was to be the primary focus of study for those pursuing a degree in Anthropology. Though other courses –such as “Peoples and Culture of Africa,” “Prehistoric Archeology” and “Mesoamerican Cultures”-- were being offered, the main focus was on cultural studies. Cultural Anthropology, for context, is one of the four main subfields of the discipline; the remaining three are Linguistic, Archaeology and Bio/Physical. 

The artifacts and cultural objects that he collected over the years underscored his passion for the uniqueness of the human experience; a drive to constantly learn about humanity on a global scale, and to showcase that to his own students. It speaks volumes to not only his anthropological and historical prowess, but also his ability to connect with people anywhere on the globe. Given the cultural emphasis Dr. Warner had proposed to the University, these artifacts and cultural objects were meant to not only underscore archaeological significance, but also their intrinsic cultural value and history. They served –and continue to serve— as a means of engaging with peoples and cultures from across the world.  

The University also houses an extensive collection of his photographs taken abroad –like his photos from West Africa-- as well as various written works. Warner had also studied Danbury extensively, as noted in the University’s Truman A. Warner Papers collection –including having been a board member and president of the former Scott-Fanton Museum. His passion and enthusiasm for people and places both in Connecticut and around the world helped cement his legacy as one of the University’s most profound faculty members who continues to inspire the fields of anthropology and history alike to this day.