Tucked inside the California State University, East Bay Hayward campus since 1975, the C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology serves a quiet but meaningful role. Located on the fourth floor of Meiklejohn Hall (MI-4047), the museum offers students, staff, and the public a free and welcoming space to explore anthropology, history, and culture.
The museum was founded by anthropology professor Clarence E. “Smitty” Smith, who taught at CSUEB from 1964 until his death in 1975. According to museum staff, Smith aimed to make education engaging and accessible to all students — not just anthropology majors.
“His goal was to not only inspire the anthropology students but also all students on campus. He wanted to bring light into education and, more than anything, make it accessible to students,” said Jimmy Joe, the museum’s lead student assistant.
Inside, guests can explore rotating exhibitions, view artifacts, and browse informational slideshows in a quiet, inviting environment. One recent exhibit, “The Museum of Mud,” was a student-made showcase that explored mud-built homes and the role of mud in ancient architecture and daily life.
The museum is preparing to launch a new exhibition for the spring semester: “Level Up: The Evolution of Video Games.” The interactive exhibit will feature classic Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo consoles, highlighting the progression of gaming from the 1980s to today.
Visitors will have the chance to play two-player games such as Street Fighter, and solo favorites like Pac-Man, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Super Mario Bros. 3. The grand reopening ceremony will also include a Mario Kart tournament, with a prize awarded to the winner.
CSUEB’s Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act coordinator, Marjorie Rhodes Austle, explained how the exhibit came together.
“The director of the museum is Albert Gonzales. He had a friend with an enormous personal collection of video games and was happy to let us borrow them to do an exhibition on the evolutionary history of video games,” she said.
Joe added, “This is an accessible source for students and staff, and with the help of ASI, it has made Smitty’s dream a reality. We want students to have fun while learning something new.”
Joe commended the collective efforts that have kept the C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology open and thriving for the past five decades. He highlighted close collaborations with anthropology students to help bring fresh, engaging experiences to the museum.
“I helped with modeling, making labels and organizing artifacts,” said anthropology student Aidyn Codori, “I want people to understand that no matter what major you’re in, the museum is open to everyone.”
The museum will hold its grand reopening ceremony and launch event for “Level Up: The Evolution of Video Games” on March 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering food, interactive experiences, and prizes.
The exhibition will remain open through the end of the semester, continuing the museum’s long-standing mission of making learning both accessible and exciting. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission.
