THE PEABODY PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023 Educating for a World of Human Difference
THE ROBERT S. PEABODY INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Who We Are: The Peabody strives toward Robert S. Peabody’s 1901 vision to provide a robust forum for anthropology and archaeology-based research and learning for the students and faculty of Phillips Academy.
Educating for a World of Human Difference The Peabody deeply values its educational programming as an integral part of the Phillips Academy experience that is made stronger by our leadership in the broader archaeology and education communities, and strives constantly to improve and enlarge this programming. The Peabody centers its work on repatriation, collections care, and educational programming in social justice and provides a foundation for guiding principles and initiatives that honor and support Indigenous sovereignty, in collaboration with Tribal Partners.
www.andover.edu/learning/peabody
Organizational Synergy The Peabody serves a diverse range of constituents at Phillips Academy and beyond, creating dynamic and powerful synergies between our internal and external communities.
Peabody Intiatives PROVIDE DIVERSE PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS AT PHILLIPS ACADEMY AND BEYOND.
Our Guiding Principles Uniting the core concepts of stewardship and education, our guiding principles provide direction for the initiatives we undertake as an institution.
EMBRACE EMBRACE THE PHILLIPS ACADEMY CORE VALUE OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH A PUBLIC PURPOSE.
STRENGTHEN STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND EDUCATION.
LEAD LEAD EFFORTS TO CREATE, SHARE, AND TEACH AN ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY-BASED INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM.
BUILD BUILD A CONSTRUCTIVE SOCIAL JUSTICE DIALOGUE THROUGH ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTENT.
PRACTICE PRACTICE ETHICAL MANAGEMENT OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTIONS HELD BY THE PEABODY.
CREATE CREATE AND PROMOTE BEST PRACTICES FOR DECOLONIZATION AND REPATRIATION IN COLLABORATION WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
OUR EDUCATIONAL MISSION MAKES THE PEABODY UNIQUE As the only archaeology institute at a secondary school, the Peabody is uniquely positioned to develop and teach archaeology and anthropology curricula for the high school classroom. Our interdisciplinary programming helps prepare students at Phillips Academy for the modern world using anthropology and archaeology to enliven classes across the curriculum. Outward-facing programming for a larger audience allows us to share beyond the Phillips Academy community, adding a further dimension to on-campus content.
ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM We believe archaeology provides a platform for teaching challenging histories and for understanding the world as it is today. Our interdisciplinary programming brings other disciplines to life through the perspectives of anthropology and archaeology. We currently offer over 40 lesson units to enrich interdisciplinary curricula at Phillips Academy, drawing on significant collections held by the Peabody.
COLLECTIONS: ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE AMERICAS The Peabody cares for a renowned collection of cultural items and educational materials representing the Indigenous cultural heritage of the Americas. Collections are focused around cultural items from the Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southwestern United States. International collections include items from the Upper Paleolithic period of France, as well as important cultural materials from Mexico and Peru. With more than 600,000 items, 60,000 photographs, 9,000 books and journals, and 450 linear feet of archives, the Peabody holds one of the most significant collections in American archaeology. The Peabody’s collections are a living resource in active use by Phillips Academy faculty and students, visiting researchers and scholars, and Indigenous communities. These collections require culturally appropriate care to optimize their use and ensure access for future generations.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DECOLONIZING PRACTICE The discipline of Archaeology continues to struggle with its colonial origins, making self-reflection an important aspect of our collectionsfocused work and our educational programming. New initiatives building on the Peabody’s success in developing archaeology-focused curricula include a plan to develop and share resources for teaching Native American history as well as initiatives to create and share resources for Indigenous collections care. Active engagement with Indigenous people and communities includes culturally appropriate care of collections, bringing contemporary Indigenous voices and living culture onto the Phillips Academy campus and into the classroom.
Visiting Artist, Dominique Toya (Pueblo of Jemez)
Visiting Speaker and Educator, Rebecca Luebker (Cherokee Nation)
Repatriation and Beyond The Peabody’s work with Tribal Partners on repatriation and collections care is restorative justice work. Our approach to the 1990 Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is informed by Articles 11 and 12 of the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), which emphasize Native rights to control and make decisions about both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Collections policies strive to center Native voices and provide a transparent process for repatriation, as well as agreements that honor Indigenous sovereignty.
www.andover.edu/learning/peabody
What We Do: Our Initiatives
Engaging a broad range of constituents is in alignment with Phillips Academy strategic plan goal to nurture the academic and personal growth of all students as they navigate a complex, intentionally diverse learning community.
In Progress: Classes and programming for Phillips Academy
Engaging
Virtual public programming Publishing the Journal of Archaeology & Education
A BROAD RANGE OF CONSTITUENTS INCLUDING STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, SCHOLARS, AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN COLLABORATIVE LEARNING INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INITIATIVES.
Research at the Peabody supported by the annual Linda Cordell Award Building a relationship with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) around Mexican collections held at the Peabody Collections loans to National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and Native Nations Active engagement in Archaeological Centers Coalition
In Development: Teaching Native history initiative Expansion of community engagement and outreach
www.andover.edu/learning/peabody
Responsible Stewardship OF THE SIGNIFICANT COLLECTIONS HELD BY THE PEABODY IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN PEABODY STAFF, PHILLIPS ACADEMY, TRIBAL PARTNERS, AND PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS.
Practicing responsible stewardship is in alignment with the Phillips Academy core value of Non sibi (not for self).
In Progress: Detailed cataloging of significant collections Responsible digitization of the collections Assist public and private individuals with collections care and repatriation In Development: Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide Project Improved collections housing & environment Digital Asset Management
Honor INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY AND PRIORITIZE INDIGENOUS VOICES.
Honoring Indigenous sovereignty is in alignment with the Phillips Academy strategic plan goals of Equity & Inclusion.
In Progress: NAGPRA compliance and repatriation work Enhancing collections policy by prioritizing Indigenous sovereignty Collaboration with Indigenous Nations on collections care Consultation with Tribes on research access Acquisitions focused on modern Native American arts and culture Native artists engaged with classes
Visiting Artist, Ramson Lomatewama (Eagle Clan of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona)
Cultivating a community at Phillips Academy and beyond is in alignment with Phillips Academy core value of a Private School with a Public Purpose.
In Progress: Sharing programs and content at Phillips Academy and beyond Working with the Phillips Academy Trustee Collections Committee Sponsorship of the Peabody Institute Award for Archaeology & Education in partnership with Society for American Archaeology
In Development: Create and implement Communications Plan Raise profile and leverage content on campus and beyond
Cultivate A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS FROM PHILLIPS ACADEMY AND BEYOND.
Where We Are Going: Our Vision Over the last twenty years the Peabody has developed expertise and programming in archaeology-based high school curricula and collections management. As we strengthen and expand our work at Phillips Academy, our vision is to remain small and nimble, leveraging the synergies between our oncampus and external programs, and to share our curricula, pedagogy, and collections management expertise with a broader community of educators and museum professionals.
www.andover.edu/learning/peabody
CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES: FACILITIES TO IMPROVE COLLECTIONS CARE AND PROGRAMS We have a fundamental responsibility for the stewardship of the collections under our care. The Peabody Institute building requires renovation to address environment, collections housing, and programming needs. The building, in its current condition is inadequate to support: responsible and culturally appropriate collections stewardship and management the demonstrated growth in programs for Phillips Academy students safety and accessibility needs for both the collections and the Phillips Academy community Climate control and modern museum housing systems will ensure the survival of the collections, access for Indigenous partners, and research by scientists. A renovation also will increase classroom spaces to help meet the growing demand for Peabody programs and classes. The demonstrated growth in programs for Phillips Academy students has proved our existing space inadequate.
CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES: ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH STAFFING The Peabody staff is small and nimble by design. Five staff members provide all programming, collections, and administrative support for the Peabody. With the success of our carefully planned revitalization and implementation of a now proven roster of programming, the staff needs augmentation to fulfill current and future demands on the Peabody. The Peabody seeks to create one new full time staff position to enable the Peabody to share our programming with a broader audience and to develop and implement impactful resources for teaching Indigenous history. The creation of this position will allow existing staff to focus on current programming and permit greater focus on the support of Phillips Academy curriculum.
Resources & More Information THESE RESOURCES DOCUMENT THE PEABODY INSTITUTE’S HISTORY, AS WELL AS CURRENT PROGRAMMING FOR THOSE WANTING TO LEARN MORE: Peabody Award for Archaeology & Education
Journal of Archaeology & Education
Indigenous Collections Care Guide
Peabody YouTube Channel
Peabody Blog
Peabody Annual Report
Glory, Trouble, and Renaissance at the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology
We thank you for your ongoing support of the Peabody
Strategic Plan 2023
To Educate for a World of Human Difference This plan was prepared by members of the Peabody Advisory Committee and the staff of the Peabody Institute.
The Peabody Advisory Committee (PAC) partners with the Peabody’s director and staff to advise on mission, policy, and planning, and to ensure the needed resources are available to achieve the Institute’s goals.
Ryan J. Wheeler Director & Instructor in Interdisciplinary Studies
Jenny Elkus ’92 Chair, Peabody Advisory Committee