Anthea M. Hartig

Anthea M. Hartig
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Name	Anthea M. Hartig
Education	University of California, Riverside (BA), University of California, Santa Barbara (MA, PhD)
Title	Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History
Predecessor	John Gray
Organization	Smithsonian Institution

Anthea M. Hartig is an American public historian and museum director. She serves as the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., a position she assumed in 2019. Hartig is the first woman to lead the museum since its founding in 1964. Her career has been dedicated to interpreting California and American history for broad public audiences, with a focus on community engagement and inclusive storytelling.

Early life and education

Anthea Hartig was raised in Riverside, California, within the Inland Empire region. She developed an early interest in the layered histories of her home state. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of California, Riverside. Hartig then pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she received a Master of Arts and later a Doctor of Philosophy in history. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the development of Los Angeles and the interplay of community and landscape, foreshadowing her career in public history.

Career at the California Historical Society

Prior to joining the Smithsonian Institution, Hartig built a significant career in California's cultural heritage sector. She served for over a decade as the Executive Director and CEO of the California Historical Society in San Francisco. Under her leadership, the society expanded its public programming, strengthened its collections, and increased its statewide outreach. Hartig also taught as a lecturer in history and museum studies at her alma mater, the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her work often involved collaborations with institutions like the Autry Museum of the American West and the Huntington Library.

Directorship of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

In February 2019, Hartig was appointed the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History, one of the most visited museums within the Smithsonian Institution. She succeeded director John Gray. Her tenure has emphasized a more inclusive and complex narrative of the United States' past. Key initiatives and exhibitions launched under her leadership include addressing topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the legacy of slavery, and the struggle for women's suffrage. She oversees a vast collection that includes iconic artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner and the Ruby Slippers.

Awards and honors

Hartig's contributions to public history have been recognized by several prestigious organizations. She is a Fellow of the Society of American Historians. In 2020, she was elected to the American Antiquarian Society. Her work has also been honored with awards from the Western History Association and the National Council on Public History. These accolades reflect her impact on the field and her commitment to advancing historical understanding within museums and cultural institutions.

Selected publications

Hartig is the author and editor of numerous works on California and urban history. Her selected publications include the book *Historic Landmarks of Los Angeles*, which documents the architectural and cultural heritage of the city. She has also contributed chapters to scholarly volumes such as *A Companion to Los Angeles* and *The Blackwell Companion to California History*. Her articles and essays have appeared in publications like *California History*, the journal of the California Historical Society.

Category:American historians Category:American museum directors Category:Smithsonian Institution people