Margaret Santiago

Margaret Santiago (1931 – March 17, 2018) was an American museum registrar. Santiago, who worked at the National Museum of Natural History, was the first African-American to work as a registrar for a major scientific museum, and a co-founder of the African American Museums Association (later the Association of African American Museums).[1]

Margaret Santiago
Born1931 
Spartanburg 
Died17 March 2018  (aged 86–87)
Alma mater
OccupationSinger, museum professional, registrar 
Employer
Position heldregistrar (1977–1991), supervisor (1970–1977) 

Biography

Santiago was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1931.[1] As a young woman, she sang at Macedonia Baptist Church in Spartanburg, and on a radio program in Washington, D.C. In 1987, she released an album entitled, "MarGueritte S. Soulful Gospel."[2]

Santiago began working at the Smithsonian in 1960 as a clerk typist.[3] She was promoted to assistant supervisor in accessions and specimen control at the National Museum of Natural History in 1963.[3] By 1970, she was the supervisor of that unit.[3] In 1977, Santiago became the first African-American to work as a registrar for any major scientific museum, a position she held until her retirement.[4][5]

Santiago was a co-founder of the African American Museums Association (later the Association of African American Museums).[1] Santiago retired from the Smithsonian in 1991, after a thirty year career.[6][7]

Santiago died on March 17, 2018.[1]

References
  1. DeBardelaben, LaNesha. "Remembering Margaret Santiago..." (PDF). Association of African American Museums. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. "Spartanburg native leaves position at Smithsonian". GoUpstate.com. Feb 4, 1991. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. Niekrasz, Emily (2020-06-10). "Wonderful Women Wednesday: Margaret A. Santiago". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  4. Smith, Jessie Carney (2003). Black Firsts : 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Events (2nd, revised and expanded ed.). Canton, Michigan: Visible Ink Press. p. 615. ISBN 1-57859-142-2. OCLC 51060259 – via Internet Archive.
  5. Niekrasz, Emily (2020-06-10). "Wonderful Women Wednesday: Margaret A. Santiago". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  6. "National Headliners". Jet. 79 (18): 10. 18 February 1991.
  7. Niekrasz, Emily (2020-06-10). "Wonderful Women Wednesday: Margaret A. Santiago". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
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