Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs
The theme for Black in Historic Preservation’s 2026 Program is "Been Preservation."
A key component of the program is a series of profiles of Black preservation ancestors that highlight their preservation activities and Black people's agency in the preservation field, prior to the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs (November 1, 1915 – November 21, 2010), also known as Margaret Taylor Goss, Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs, and Margaret T G Burroughs, a visual artist, published writer, poet, educator, and arts organizer, was the co-founder of two cultural institutions in Chicago that have international recognition:
the DuSable Black History Museum and the South Side Community Art Center.
To honor the day the Burroughs chartered the DuSable Museum of African American History, February 16, 1961, we present a profile of life from the perspective of her as a Black preservationist.
Who
Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs
Co-Founder, DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Co-Founder, South Side Community Art Center
Active Preservation Year(s)
1938 - 2010
Preservation Activities
Adaptive Reuse:
1938 - 1940: George A. Seaverns, Jr. Mansion into South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC; she was the youngest Board Member at the time and Board Secretary)
1961: Adaptive Reuse of her residence, John W. Griffiths Mansion, into the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art, later named DuSable Museum of African-American History, today DuSable Museum of Black History
1975: Adaptive reuse of the Chicago Park District Washington Park Administrative Building into the DuSable Museum of African American History, today DuSable Museum of Black History
Landmark Nomination Author:
1981: John W. Griffiths Mansion National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form + Co-Owner with her husband, Charles Burroughs
Preservation Portfolio
John W. Griffiths Mansion/Burroughs Residence (Museum’s original location), George A. Seaverns, Jr. Mansion, and DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (former Chicago Park District administration building in Washington Park)
All three projects are in Chicago, IL
For more information about Dr. Burrough’s preservation activities, click on the primary sources below: print media and photos.
National Register of Historic Places Nomination of Burroughs residence, the John W. Griffiths Mansion (1981)
Burroughs Letter in Support of National Register Nomination of her residence, the John W. Griffiths Mansion
Dr. Burroughs in the Ebony Museum in the former John W. Griffiths Mansion she co-owned with her husband Charles Burroughs (Source: City of Chicago)
Source: Chicago Defender, 1939
DuSable Opening Eagerly Awaited (Source: Chicago Defender, 1973)
Illinois Art Project Artists (Works Progress Administration) Working on SSCAC (Source: Afro-American, 1940)
Profile on the DuSable Museum (Source: Ebony Magazine, 1993)
