Margaret Keyes
Encyclopedia
Margaret Naumann Keyes, was born 4 March 1918 to an academic family prominent in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She was a professor of Home Economics
at the University of Iowa
and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of heritage conservation.
on 4 March 1918 to Charles Reuben and Sarah "Sadie" Naumann Keyes. As a child, Keyes had often accompanied her father, Charles Reuben Keyes on travels to Germany
and on his archaeological expeditions, leading to her interest in academics. She attended Cornell College
in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and graduated in 1939 with a B.A. in Home Economics
. After graduation, Keyes taught at several Iowa high schools and undertook graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin during summer terms, earning a masters degree in 1951. She was appointed to the Home Economics faculty at the State University of Iowa
in September, 1951. A decade later, she won the Ellen H. Richards Fellowship from the American Home Economics Association to undertake doctoral studies at Florida State University
, earning a Ph.D. in Historic Preservation
in 1965.
, Historic Interiors, and research seminars. In the 1970s and 1980s, Keyes led Iowa's
drive to preserve and renovate its historic structures. She served as a board member for the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Terrace Hill
(the Iowa governor's mansion) Authority, the Iowa City Urban Renewal Design Review Board, the Victorian Society of America
, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation
. Keyes's most important work in historic preservation was her 1975 to 1999 direction of the restoration of the Old State Capitol
in Iowa City, converting it to a state historical museum. Keyes's commitments as director of Old Capitol, speaking engagements, and service work left her with little time to fulfill her duties as professor in the Home Economics department. She gradually decreased her course load and officially retired as full professor and was granted emeritus status in 1984. She was active as a researcher and active scholar well into her retirement.
for his Ph.D. in German, and taught German at Cornell College until his retirement in 1941. He also had a lifelong interest in local archeology, was employed by the State Historical Society of Iowa
and was known for his expertise in local Native American archaeology and burial mounds. He died in 1951. Sarah Naumann Keyes died in 1963.
Margaret Keyes had one older sister, Catherine Ann Keyes, who was born 25 April 1905, attended Cornell College, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Yale University. Catherine Ann Keyes served on the faculty of Oberlin College
as a music historian and music librarian in the early 1940s. Catherine married Philip L. Miller (1906 - 1996) who had been a music librarian at the New York Public Library in 1938. She earned her Ph.D. in Music History from Yale University
in 1948. Philip and Catherine Keyes Miller served as music librarians at the New York Public Library
from October 1945 until their retirement. Catherine also served on the faculty of Columbia University
teaching music librarianship beginning in 1946. She died January 1978 in Brooklyn, New York.
Marsden Keyes (Margaret's paternal grandfather) was born 15 Feb 1832 in Northumberland, New York
to William W. Keyes and Laura Rice. He married Margaret Purves in Nova Scotia
in 1856. After living in Lone Rock, Wisconsin
, the couple moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1860 and had three children. Margaret Purves Keyes died in 1863. Marsden Keyes then married Martha Whittington in 1866. Marsden Keyes was a carpenter and home builder in Mt. Vernon during a period of large growth for the town, from 1870 to the 1890s. He died in 1902.
Margaret Naumann Keyes was a descendant of Edmund Rice
, an English immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony
, as follows:
Home Economics
Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of heritage conservation.
Early life & education
Margaret Naumann Keyes, was born in Mount Vernon, IowaMount Vernon, Iowa
Mount Vernon is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States, adjacent to the city of Lisbon. The city's population was 3,390 when the 2000 census figures were released, but that number was later revised to 3,808 because the Census Bureau had incorrectly reported that 418 residents of a Cornell...
on 4 March 1918 to Charles Reuben and Sarah "Sadie" Naumann Keyes. As a child, Keyes had often accompanied her father, Charles Reuben Keyes on travels to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and on his archaeological expeditions, leading to her interest in academics. She attended Cornell College
Cornell College
Cornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Originally called the Iowa Conference Seminary, the school was founded in 1853 by Reverend Samuel M. Fellows...
in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and graduated in 1939 with a B.A. in Home Economics
Home Economics
Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
. After graduation, Keyes taught at several Iowa high schools and undertook graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin during summer terms, earning a masters degree in 1951. She was appointed to the Home Economics faculty at the State University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in September, 1951. A decade later, she won the Ellen H. Richards Fellowship from the American Home Economics Association to undertake doctoral studies at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, earning a Ph.D. in Historic Preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
in 1965.
Academic career
Upon returning to the University of Iowa and Keyes taught a variety of courses including Textile DesignTextile design
Textile design is the process of creating designs and structures for knitted, woven, non-woven or embellishments of fabrics.Textile designing involves producing patterns for cloth used in clothing, household textiles and decorative textiles such as carpets. The field encompasses the actual pattern...
, Historic Interiors, and research seminars. In the 1970s and 1980s, Keyes led Iowa's
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
drive to preserve and renovate its historic structures. She served as a board member for the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Terrace Hill
Terrace Hill
Terrace Hill, also known as Hubbell Mansion, Benjamin F. Allen House, and Iowa Governor's Mansion, is the official residence of the Governor of Iowa. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, it is an example of Second Empire architecture. The home measures 18,000 square feet...
(the Iowa governor's mansion) Authority, the Iowa City Urban Renewal Design Review Board, the Victorian Society of America
The Victorian Society
The Victorian Society is the national charity responsible for the study and protection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and other arts in Britain....
, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
. Keyes's most important work in historic preservation was her 1975 to 1999 direction of the restoration of the Old State Capitol
Iowa Old Capitol Building
The Iowa Old Capitol Building is located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It was once the main government building for the state of Iowa, and it now stands as the most prominent landmark at the center of the University of Iowa's campus. It is a U.S...
in Iowa City, converting it to a state historical museum. Keyes's commitments as director of Old Capitol, speaking engagements, and service work left her with little time to fulfill her duties as professor in the Home Economics department. She gradually decreased her course load and officially retired as full professor and was granted emeritus status in 1984. She was active as a researcher and active scholar well into her retirement.
Selected publications
- Keyes, M.N. (1966). Nineteenth Century Home Architecture of Iowa City. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City. 162pp. ISBN 9780877450139
- Keyes, M.N. (1988). Old Capitol: Portrait of an Iowa Landmark. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City. 187pp. ISBN 9780877452102
Personal life
Keyes and her lifetime companion, Floy Eugenia Whitehead, traveled to a variety of worldwide locations, including Israel, Jamaica, Taiwan, and Europe. For over thirty years, the two lived at a home near the university in Iowa City that was renowned for its gracious hospitality. Eugenia Whitehead who served as the chairperson of the Department of Home Economics at the University of Iowa from 1955 to 1971 died in 1998.The Keyes family
Margaret's father, Charles Reuben Keyes was born in 5 May 1871 in Mt. Vernon, Iowa to Marsden and Martha Keyes. He attended Cornell College and married Sarah "Sadie" Naumann in 1902. Charles Keyes attended Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
for his Ph.D. in German, and taught German at Cornell College until his retirement in 1941. He also had a lifelong interest in local archeology, was employed by the State Historical Society of Iowa
State Historical Society of Iowa
The State Historical Society of Iowa , a division of the , serves as the official historical repository for the State of Iowa and also provides grants, public education, and outreach about Iowa history and archaeology. The SHSI maintains a museum, library, archives, and research center in Des...
and was known for his expertise in local Native American archaeology and burial mounds. He died in 1951. Sarah Naumann Keyes died in 1963.
Margaret Keyes had one older sister, Catherine Ann Keyes, who was born 25 April 1905, attended Cornell College, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Yale University. Catherine Ann Keyes served on the faculty of Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
as a music historian and music librarian in the early 1940s. Catherine married Philip L. Miller (1906 - 1996) who had been a music librarian at the New York Public Library in 1938. She earned her Ph.D. in Music History from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1948. Philip and Catherine Keyes Miller served as music librarians at the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
from October 1945 until their retirement. Catherine also served on the faculty of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
teaching music librarianship beginning in 1946. She died January 1978 in Brooklyn, New York.
Marsden Keyes (Margaret's paternal grandfather) was born 15 Feb 1832 in Northumberland, New York
Northumberland, New York
Northumberland is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 4,603 at the 2000 census. The name comes from a location in Great Britain....
to William W. Keyes and Laura Rice. He married Margaret Purves in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
in 1856. After living in Lone Rock, Wisconsin
Lone Rock, Wisconsin
Lone Rock is a village in Richland County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 929 at the 2000 census. The village is named after a sandstone outcrop.- History :...
, the couple moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1860 and had three children. Margaret Purves Keyes died in 1863. Marsden Keyes then married Martha Whittington in 1866. Marsden Keyes was a carpenter and home builder in Mt. Vernon during a period of large growth for the town, from 1870 to the 1890s. He died in 1902.
Margaret Naumann Keyes was a descendant of Edmund Rice
Edmund Rice (1638)
Edmund Rice , was an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony who was born in Suffolk, England, and lived in Stanstead, Suffolk and Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire prior to sailing with his family to America. He arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in summer or fall of 1638, presumed to be first...
, an English immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
, as follows:
- Margaret Naumann Keyes, daughter of
- Charles Reuben Keyes (1871–1951), son of
- Marsden Keyes (1832–1902), son of
- Laura Rice (1801–1842), daughter of
- Noah Rice (1760–1834), son of
- Phineas Rice (1724–1777), son of
- Perez Rice (1698–1782), son of
- Thomas Rice (1654–1747), son of
- Thomas Rice (1626–1681), son of
- Edmund RiceEdmund Rice (1638)Edmund Rice , was an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony who was born in Suffolk, England, and lived in Stanstead, Suffolk and Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire prior to sailing with his family to America. He arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in summer or fall of 1638, presumed to be first...
(1594–1663)
- Edmund Rice