Lisa Taylor

Lisa Suter Taylor (1933–1991) was an American artist and museum director. Taylor served as the first director of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design from 1969 to 1987,

Early life and education Taylor was born in New York, the daughter of architect Theo von Bergen-Maier and painter Martina Weincerl. She trained as a painter, ceramist, and calligrapher, studying at the Corcoran School of Art, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University. She was awarded honorary doctorates from the Parsons School of Design and Cooper Union. This made her the first ever woman to lead a Smithsonian museum. alt=A group of people gather outside the Jewish Museum in New York during the 2011 Museum Mile Festival. A group of people gather outside the Jewish Museum in New York during the 2011 Museum Mile Festival. In 1979, Taylor created the annual Museum Mile Festival,

She was awarded the Smithsonian's Exceptional Service Award in 1973.

After she retired as director in 1987, she was succeeded by Dianne Pilgrim.

Personal life Taylor was married, with two children and three step children.

In addition to a New York apartment, Taylor enjoyed spending time at her house in Martha's Vineyard. A Japanese-style house designed by architect Teruo Hara, everything inside was made for the space, from the furniture, to the dishes, to the toilet paper racks.