By Ella Mackler, B.A. ‘24, Communication and Graphic Design
Juliana Molina, B.A. ‘24, Communication
Phillip Gutierrez, B.A. ’27, Political Science
In October 2023, the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies welcomed Maggie Huggins as a curatorial assistant. Maggie is a graduate student at the George Washington University pursuing a master’s degree in museum studies. Prior to joining the center, Maggie served as a curatorial intern for the Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Neill-Cochran House Museum. She graduated from the University of Texas in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Maggie’s path to museum studies was sparked by her passion for history as a child. Growing up in Austin, Texas, Maggie fondly remembers going to museums with her siblings and schoolmates, reading as many labels as she could. While her passion for history stayed constant, Maggie initially majored in environmental studies at UT. Realizing she was not enthusiastic about her classes, her friends and family suggested majoring in her favorite subject: history. She switched to the history program and enrolled in a museum studies minor. Maggie has a love for history and storytelling, so it felt natural to work in museums, a place where her two passions intersect.
As a curatorial assistant, Maggie describes some of her work as “treasure hunting and artifact shopping.” Recently she researched historical D.C. hotels and the city’s cherry blossom trees to support future exhibitions and public programs at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. Last semester, she spent most of her time conducting research for the upcoming exhibition A Tale of Two Houses, opening August 2024. She combed through archives at the Library of Congress, GW’s Gelman Library- and the museum’s conservation center in Ashburn, Virginia. She identified a 19th-century painting of Joel Barlow’s Kalorama estate, which was eventually developed into the neighborhood where The Textile Museum was originally located. Currently on display in the State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms, the painting will be loaned to the museum for A Tale of Two Houses.
Other favorite works that Maggie came across were letters written by Louise Chase Myers Pugh, daughter of George Hewitt Myers. George Hewitt Myers founded The Textile Museum and established its global collection. Maggie spent hours reading through the letters, appreciating details from the family’s local business dealings.
Working in a place where she can explore the stories of historical figures and objects is a dream come true for Maggie. When she’s not researching topics for the museum, she spends her free time exploring D.C. museums. She especially enjoys the National Gallery of Art, National Postal Museum- and Daughters of the American Revolution Museum.
This post was written by students in Professor Jessica McCaughey’s COMM 3190 class at the George Washington University.
About the Authors
Ella Mackler is an undergraduate at GW studying communication and graphic design. She works as a communications and event coordinator for the GW Communication Department.
Juliana Molina is an undergraduate at GW studying communication. She is also passionate about sustainable fashion and is involved in the Responsible Fashion Collective on campus.
Philip Gutiérrez is an undergraduate at GW studying political science. He is passionate about geopolitics and law.
Header image: Curator Kasey Sease- Maggie Huggins- and Katie Roxberry study a map. Photo by William Atkins/the George Washington University.