Bertha P. Dutton facts for kids

Bertha Pauline Dutton (born March 29, 1903 – died September 11, 1994) was an important American scientist. She was an anthropologist and ethnologist. This means she studied human societies and cultures, especially in the American Southwest and Mesoamerica (parts of Mexico and Central America). Bertha was also one of the first women archaeologists to work for the National Park Service.

Bertha Dutton's Life

Early Years and Education

Bertha Dutton was born on March 29, 1903, in Algona, Iowa. She was the only child of farmers Orrin Judd Dutton and Fannie B. Stewart. In high school, she loved history, classical art, and literature.

After high school, Bertha worked as a bank clerk. She first planned a career in business. But one evening, she was accidentally hit by a car. While recovering in the hospital, a teacher suggested she study anthropology. This seemed to fit her interests better. So, in 1932, she began her studies at the University of New Mexico.

From 1933 to 1936, she worked as a secretary in the university's Anthropology Department. After she graduated, a famous anthropologist named Edgar Lee Hewett hired her. She started working at the Museum of New Mexico (MNM) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1936.

Becoming a Museum Curator

Bertha Dutton started as Hewett’s assistant. She believed the museum needed more than just archaeology exhibits. She suggested adding ethnology exhibits, which focus on cultures and people. Hewett agreed, and in 1939, he made her the museum's curator of ethnology.

Bertha and another woman, Marjorie Ferguson, were trained by Hewett. Both women spent their careers at the Museum of New Mexico. They made big contributions to understanding the Southwest. They studied archaeology, ethnology, and history. They also helped teach the public about these subjects.

Bertha Dutton was the curator of ethnology from 1939 to 1959. She then became curator of interpretive exhibits until 1962. Later, she led the Division of Research until she retired in 1965. She also taught museum classes on television and for adults from 1947 to 1957. Even after retiring, she remained a research associate with the Museum of New Mexico for the rest of her life. In 1952, Bertha earned her PhD from Columbia University.

She led many archaeological digs. These included sites at Chaco Canyon, in the Galisteo Basin, and in the Salinas area. She also excavated in Mexico and Guatemala.

Sharing Knowledge with Others

Bertha Dutton worked hard to get people interested in anthropology. From 1947 to 1957, she led 27 archaeological camps for Senior Girl Scouts. These girls were aged fifteen to eighteen. Nearly 300 girls from all over the country learned about the anthropology of the Southwest. This program inspired many of these young women to study anthropology and related fields in college.

After retiring from the Museum of New Mexico in 1965, Bertha became the director of the Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art. Today, this museum is called the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. She worked there for ten years.

Bertha Dutton passed away in 1994.