Margaret Keyes

She is also a nationally recognized leader in the field of heritage conservation, best known for her work to preserve the Iowa Old Capitol Building.

As a child, Keyes had often accompanied her father on travels to Germany and on his archaeological expeditions, leading to her interest in academics.

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.

Upon returning to the University of Iowa and Keyes taught a variety of courses including Textile Design, Historic Interiors, and research seminars.

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.

[2][3] Keyes and her lifetime companion, Floy Eugenia Whitehead, traveled to a variety of worldwide locations, including Israel, Jamaica, Taiwan, and Europe.

[7] Philip and Catherine Keyes Miller served as music librarians at the New York Public Library from October 1945 until their retirement.

[9] Margaret Naumann Keyes was a descendant of Edmund Rice, an English immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony, as follows:[10]