Frances Henley facts for kids

Frances Evelyn Henley (born around 1896, died 1955) was an amazing American architect. She made history by being the very first woman to study architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. Even more, she was the first woman to open her own architecture business in Rhode Island!

Early Life and School

Frances Henley was born in Crompton, Rhode Island. Her parents were Charles A. and Mary E. Booth Henley. She grew up in the city of Providence, Rhode Island.

Her parents hoped she would become a school teacher. But Frances had other plans! She wanted to design buildings. In 1897, she graduated with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was the first woman ever to study architecture there.

Her Career as an Architect

After graduating, Frances Henley got a job as a drafter. A drafter is someone who draws detailed plans for buildings. She worked with a person named Howard Hilton.

Later, Frances left that job because of health issues. In 1904, she started her own architecture business. This was a big deal! It made her the first woman in Rhode Island to work as an architect under her own name. She even shared an office with another architect, Franklin J. Sawtelle.

In 1912, she began working with architect Arthur L. Almy. When he passed away in 1924, Frances took over the company. She became the president and ran the firm for 30 years!

Frances Henley mostly designed homes. Many of these homes were along the Atlantic coast. She also designed the Wheeler School in Providence.

In 1936, she left the Providence firm. She moved to Cranston, Rhode Island. In Cranston, she lived with Nellie Evelyn Livermore. Nellie worked as Frances's assistant. They lived together until 1952.

Later Years and Her Impact

Frances Henley passed away in 1955. She died at her home in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island.

Her important papers and designs are now kept safe. You can find them in the collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Her work helped open doors for other women in architecture.