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Helen Binkerd Young facts for kids

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Helen Binkerd Young
Helen Binkerd Young.jpg
Born
Helen Dorsey Binkerd

(1877-04-19)April 19, 1877
Died May 22, 1959(1959-05-22) (aged 82)
Nationality American
Occupation Architect
Years active 1900–1946
Spouse(s) George Young Jr. (married November 29, 1902)

Helen Binkerd Young (1877–1959) was an important early architect from New York. She graduated from Cornell University in 1900. Later, she taught at Cornell in the Home Economics Department from 1910 to 1921. Her lessons often focused on how to design and organize buildings. Even today, her writings are used in studies about home design.

About Helen Binkerd Young

Helen Dorsey Binkerd was born on April 19, 1877, in Dayton, Ohio. Her parents were Oscar William and Emma Binkerd. She went to high school at Pratt Institute from 1892 to 1895.

Becoming an Architect

Helen then studied at Cornell University. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Architecture in 1900. That same year, she won a medal for her excellent drawings.

On November 29, 1902, she married George Young, Jr., in Brooklyn, New York. George was also an architect. They lived in New York and Pittsburgh for a short time.

Teaching at Cornell

In 1909, Helen and George moved back to Ithaca, New York. George got a job teaching architecture at Cornell. Helen wanted to work as an architect or teach architecture too. But she couldn't find a job in those fields.

So, she took an unpaid teaching job. She taught in the Department of Home Economics at Cornell.

Designing Homes and Sharing Ideas

Helen used her architecture skills in her classes. She taught that good housing design was key to organizing a home. She also stressed that useful furniture and tools were important. They helped create a healthy and productive living space.

Besides teaching college students, Helen gave talks at homemaker conferences. These events took place in different parts of New York state. She also wrote several guides on home design. Newspapers like the New York Times even interviewed her.

In 1918, Helen and George designed their own home. They called it "Hidden Home." This house was featured in The American Architect magazine in 1927.

A Full Professor and Beyond

It was often hard for women architects to get credit for their work. Many of Helen's projects might have been seen as joint efforts with her husband or other male colleagues.

In 1920, Helen finally became a full professor. But she left the Home Economics Department in 1921. She wanted to focus on being an architect. Her obituary says she designed many homes in Cayuga Heights, New York.

Later Life

In 1946, George retired from Cornell. The couple moved to Novato, California. George passed away there in 1956. Helen Binkerd Young died on May 22, 1959, in Berkeley, California. She was buried in Ellenville, New York.

Helen Binkerd Young's Lasting Impact

Helen Binkerd Young's writings are still important today. Scholars and researchers often refer to her work. Her ideas on housing design continue to influence studies. Her contributions show how important good design is for everyday life.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Helen Dorsey Binkerd Young para niños

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