Although anthropology professor Dr. Dorothy K. Billings is retiring after 44 years as a mainstay at the Wichita State anthropology department, her experiences will continue to enrich the anthropology department for many years to come.

Billings has donated a large collection of Melanesian art to the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology, located in Neff Hall.  The collection encompasses items collected by Billings over the course of her work on the islands of New Ireland and New Hanover, located in Papua New Guinea. 

Although Billings’ collection focuses on Melanesia, she has travelled the globe in the course of her work as a cultural anthropologist.  “You could point out almost anything in this museum and she could tell you where it came from,” said Chey Fregon, research assistant to Dr. Billings.  “She doesn’t just specialize in Melanesia.”

Holmes Museum director Jerry Martin welcomes Billings’ donation.  

“We already have a very strong Melanesian collection, and so this adds a very wonderful variety, it’s a much broader collection.  It’s also been one of the focal points of this department for many, many years,” said Martin.  “It’s developing our strength within in the department, which is Melanesia and the Pacific Islands.”

“It’s not easy, when you’re in these out-of-the-way places to find a way to ship things back,” said Billings, discussing her return from Melanesia.  “It came to 17 boxes…my brother got me off the boat in Los Angeles and was kind of annoyed that there was so much, but that’s what it was.”

After a brief stay in Minnesota, Billings came to Wichita State in 1968.  “I saw [the Holmes museum collection] and I thought, ‘Well, this is wonderful.  I need to get my things down here.”

Billings’ collection has not yet been prepared for exhibition, however the Holmes Museum has many items in open storage, available for public view.  The museum is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.