Anthea Hartig, M.A. ’89, Ph.D. ’01, the Elizabeth McMillan director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, will deliver UC Riverside’s Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture on Nov. 16.

An award-winning public historian and cultural heritage expert, Hartig recently received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UCR Alumni Association. 

She was appointed director of the National Museum of American History in February 2019, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

The lecture series, launched in 2005, celebrates scholars of national stature who have made substantial contributions to their profession and the larger society. Hartig will speak about public history and include a video of her favorite objects in the museum’s collection. 

The Smithsonian recently launched a new exhibition called “Girlhood (It’s Complicated)” that explores what it means to grow up female in the United States. Hartig hosted the video opening for the 5,000-square-foot gallery, which features custom murals and illustrations inspired by zines. 

Before joining the Smithsonian, Hartig served as executive director and CEO of the California Historical Society in San Francisco. 

She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in history at UCR, her bachelor’s degree at UCLA, and studied as an undergraduate and graduate student at the College of William and Mary. 

The virtual lecture will be live on Zoom at noon on Monday. Click here for more information on how to RSVP.