Margaret Burroughs: Co-founder of DuSable Museum and
prominent artist 

She started Chicago's renowned African American history
museum in her living room nearly 50 years ago 

By Kristen Schorsch 
Chicago Tribune 
November 21, 2010
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/obituaries/ct-met-burroughs-obit-1122-20101121,0,7991807.story

Margaret Burroughs, an artist, teacher and longtime
Chicago Park District commissioner, started the
nationally recognized DuSable Museum of African
American History in the living room of her South Side
home almost 50 years ago.

Mrs. Burroughs helped shape some of Chicago's most
lasting institutions. She and her husband, the late
Charles Burroughs, co-founded the DuSable Museum in
1961, and she was one of several artists and art
supporters who 70 years ago started the South Side
Community Art Center.

"To me, she's a model for dreaming big. She's a model
for doing the work that it takes to do those dreams,"
said Cheryl Blackwell Bryson, chairwoman of the DuSable
Museum's board of trustees. "Not everybody can build an
institution that becomes a road map for other ethnic
groups around the world to emulate, an institution that
is designed to impact lives."

Mrs. Burroughs died Sunday, Nov. 21, in her home in the
city's Bronzeville neighborhood, surrounded by family,
according to the museum. Relatives said she was 95.
Other records indicate she was 93.

In a statement, President Barack Obama praised Mrs.
Burroughs' generosity and commitment.

"Michelle and I are saddened by the passing of Dr.
Margaret Burroughs, who was widely admired for her
contributions to American culture as an esteemed
artist, historian, educator and mentor," Obama said in
a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr.
Burroughs' family and loved ones. Her legacy will live
on in Chicago and around the world."

Born in St. Rose, La., Mrs. Burroughs moved to Chicago
as a child. She attended the Chicago Teachers College
and received bachelor's and master's degrees from the
Art Institute of Chicago. She later received several
honorary degrees and was well known as "Dr. Burroughs."

Her long resume includes teaching for more than 20
years at DuSable High School. She also taught at
Kennedy-King College.

Mayor Richard Daley said: "Through her artistic talent
and wide breadth of knowledge, she gave us a cultural
gem, the DuSable Museum of African American History.
But she herself was a cultural institution."

Mrs. Burroughs immersed herself in art at a young age.
In her early 20s, she joined several others in starting
the South Side Community Art Center. Executive director
Faheem Majeed said Mrs. Burroughs, who lived across the
street from the Bronzeville center, remained active in
the organization and recently was campaigning to help
the center buy an adjacent vacant lot.

"Dr. Burroughs was a titan," Majeed said. "She had a
great influence as an institution builder and a role
model, but the amazing thing was how accessible she
was. She still rode the bus to go grocery shopping."

She set up a legendary salon in Bronzeville, which
attracted the likes of sociologist W.E.B. DuBois and
writer James Baldwin. Unhappy that there were few
places for black artists to showcase their work, she
helped launch an art fair in the late 1950s at a
shopping center at 35th Street and King Drive.

A few years later, hoping to bring black history to the
forefront in Chicago, she and her husband planted the
seeds for what would become a thriving museum with
about 100 items in their living room.

They called their creation the Ebony Museum of Negro
History and Art. It would become the DuSable Museum,
which today boasts a collection of more than 100,000
pieces in its Washington Park building, with plans to
expand.

Mrs. Burroughs also helped start the National
Conference of African-American Artists.

She taught art and poetry to prison inmates, according
to the Chicago Park District. For the last 35 years,
she and the Rev. Jesse Jackson spent Christmas Day at
the Cook County Jail.

"Dr. Burroughs was a pillar of strength and character
in our community," Jackson said in a statement. "Dr.
Margaret Burroughs radiated hope."

Mrs. Burroughs bowled and took up roller-skating in her
80s.

In 1989, she was inducted into the Chicago Women's Hall
of Fame. President Jimmy Carter appointed her a member
of the National Commission on African-American History
and Culture.

Mrs. Burroughs has won the Paul Robeson Award, named
for the black singer and actor known for his political
activism. Most recently, Mrs. Burroughs received the
Legacy Award from the Art Institute of Chicago.

Mrs. Burroughs' grandson, Eric Toller, said she
"dedicated her life to serving the community, and she
ensured that all her grandchildren traveled abroad."

She paid for Toller's trips to India, Pakistan and
Nepal when he was in grammar school and later took him
to Africa twice.

"Her philosophy was that you always need to travel the
world," said Toller.

Charles Burroughs died in 1994.

Survivors also include a son, Paul Burroughs; and three
more grandchildren.

Mrs. Burroughs did not want a funeral. A public
memorial service will be held, likely next year, Toller
said.

___________________________________________

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