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]
Santiago began working at the Smithsonian in 1960 as a clerk typist.[2] She was promoted to assistant supervisor in accessions and specimen control at the National Museum of Natural History in 1963.[2] By 1970, she was the supervisor of that unit.[2] 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.[3][4]
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.[5][6]
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 titled, "MarGueritte S. Soulful Gospel."[7] (She was called MarGeuritte by friends.)[7]
Santiago was married and had at least three children.[7]
She also lived in Puerto Rico and Atlanta, GA.[1]
Santiago died on March 17, 2018.[1]