The Haffenreffer Museum features a collection of artifacts that belonged to the Native peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. It has been recognized as one of the leading museums that teach anthropology in the Northeast. The Museum offers symposia, public lectures, symposia, performances, festivals, as well as the broad range of related programs and events for everyone.

The collections of the Museum as well as its Research Center and offices are located in Bristol. The Manning Hall within the Brown University campus is home to the Museum?s exhibitions.

The Museum began with the private collection of Rudolf F. Haffenreffer, the founder of the King Philip Museum during the early 20th century. It opened to the public with a collection focusing on local archaeological materials. Soon after, it expanded to contain objects from North America as well.

All in all, the Museum has established its value as a resource center for the public as well as for the community of Brown University and scholars of anthropology, archaeology, art, and history.