Ellen Schulz Quillin facts for kids

Ellen Dorothy Schulz Quillin (born June 16, 1892 – died May 6, 1970) was an amazing American botanist, a writer, and a museum director. She played a key role in starting the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas. She led the museum as its director from 1926 to 1960. Ellen Quillin also wrote many helpful field guides about plants found in Texas.

Early Life and Education

Ellen Dorothy Schulz was born on June 16, 1892, in Saginaw County, Michigan. Her parents were William and Anna Schulz. She loved learning and earned a master's degree (M.S.) from the University of Michigan in 1918. She continued her studies at the University of Texas from 1920 to 1922.

In 1927, she married Roy W. Quillin. Roy worked for Mobil and was also an amateur bird watcher and egg collector. They did not have any children.

A Career in Education and Museums

Ellen Quillin taught in the public schools of San Antonio from 1916 to 1933. For ten of those years, from 1923 to 1933, she was in charge of nature study and science programs. She also taught botany at the University of Texas during summer classes from 1921 to 1923. Later, she gave lectures on natural history from 1927 to 1951.

Founding the Witte Museum

In the 1920s, Ellen Quillin was very important in creating the San Antonio Museum Association. She worked hard to raise money to create a home for the large collection of natural history items from Henry Philemon Attwater. All her efforts led to the opening of the Witte Museum on October 8, 1926. The museum focuses on natural history, the history of Texas, and the arts. Ellen Quillin was chosen as the museum's first director. She held this important job until May 1960. Even after retiring, she continued to help as director emeritus until she passed away in 1970.

The Reptile Garden

The 1930s brought tough economic times because of the Great Depression. To help the Witte Museum raise money, Ellen Quillin came up with a unique idea. She built the Reptile Garden on the museum grounds. People donated labor and materials to help build it. This garden displayed live snakes, turtles, lizards, and alligators.

The Reptile Garden opened on June 8, 1933. It became a popular tourist spot, even with its unusual snake-handling shows and turtle races. More importantly, it became a place for research on antivenom. Scientists from all over the world came to study there. The Reptile Garden helped the Witte Museum financially for ten years. When it closed, the live snakes were given to the San Antonio Zoo.

Writing About Nature

Ellen Quillin also wrote many books and articles about local plants. Her first book, 500 Wild Flowers of San Antonio and Vicinity, came out in 1922. It even included her own photographs. Her most important book was Texas Wild Flowers: A Popular Account of the Common Wild Flowers of Texas, published in 1928. This book shared interesting stories, history, and uses of the plants.

With another expert named Robert Runyon, she wrote Texas Cacti: A Popular and Scientific Account of the Cacti Native to Texas in 1931. She then wrote more books about how to grow cacti. In the 1930s, she also wrote a series of nine children's books about nature and science. In 1966, she helped write The Story of the Witte Memorial Museum, 1922-1960.

Later Life and Recognition

Ellen Quillin passed away on May 6, 1970, in San Antonio, likely from a heart attack. Her husband survived her. William A. Burns took over as the director of the Witte Museum after her.

Ellen Quillin was a founding member of the second Texas Academy of Science. She became a fellow in 1929 and an honorary life fellow in 1949. She also served as the vice president of the organization in 1942.

When she retired from the Witte Museum, the city of San Antonio honored her. They named October 30, 1960, "Ellen Quillin Day." She received an award from Trinity University, a special message from the mayor, and a party at the museum. In 1999, a play called A Gallery of Ghosts by Laura Dietrich was created about Ellen Quillin's life and her work, including starting the Witte Museum.

See also

In Spanish: Ellen Schulz Quillin para niños