The Smithsonian

Hutchinson started working as a researcher at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in 1971. She researched African American portraits, such as the legacy of John Brown,^[3] and also worked on the exhibition The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution. The following year, she became an Education Research Specialist, where she worked on partnership projects between the museum and D.C. Public Schools.^[2]

National Park Service

In 1973, she took the same title, Education Research Specialist, at the Frederick Douglass Home National Memorial for the National Park Service. There, she trained staff regarding the interpretation of the memorial.^[2]

Return to the Smithsonian

The following year, 1974, Hutchinson became the Historian and Director of Research at the Anacostia Community Museum (ACM). She helped write the mission for the museum,^[1] acquired objects for the collection, strengthened relationships with the other Smithsonian Institution units and the local neighborhood. She researched various content for exhibitions, including The Anacostia Story: 1608-1903,^[4] about the Anacostia community, The Frederick Douglass Years, Out of Africa: From West African Kingdoms to Colonization,^[5] and Black Women: Achievements Against the Odds. Hutchinson also developed the museum’s oral history program and helped found the Anacostia Historical Society.^[2]

Hutchinson's work influenced her scholarly contributions and vice versa. Her book about Anna J. Cooper was called an "important contribution" to American history in The Georgia Historical Quarterly.^[6] Hutchinson also focused on public engagement, providing advice and information to scholars, students, teachers, and amateur historians when many other Smithsonian scholars would not respond directly to public queries.^[1] She retired in 1986.^[2][7]