Ida Annah Ryan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ida Annah Ryan
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Ryan circa 1906
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| Born | November 4, 1873 Waltham, Massachusetts
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| Died | February 17, 1950 (aged 76) Orlando, Florida
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| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Associated architectural firm[s] |
Ida Annah Ryan (1873–1950) was an amazing American architect. She was a true pioneer, meaning she was one of the first to do something important. Ida Ryan was the first woman to earn a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She was also the first woman in the entire United States to get a master's degree in architecture. Later, she became the eighth woman ever to join the American Institute of Architects, a big group for architects.
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Biography
Ida Annah Ryan was born on November 4, 1873, in Waltham, Massachusetts. She was one of five children. Her father, Albert Morse Ryan, worked for the city and ran a milk business. Ida went to Waltham High School. During her time there, she became very interested in studying architectural design.
Early Studies in Art and Design
In 1892, Ida Ryan started taking classes at the Massachusetts Normal Art School. This school was created to train art teachers for public schools. It also taught professional artists, designers, and architects. In 1894, Ida earned her diploma in Elementary Drawing and Constructive Art and Design. This included subjects like drawing, design, and architectural planning.
Becoming an Architect at MIT
Ida Ryan then went on to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). MIT had the very first college program for architecture in the United States. She studied with a famous architecture professor named Constant-Désiré Despradelle.
In 1905, Ida won the Rotch Prize, an award of $200. This prize was given to the regular student who had the best record during their four years of studies. Later, she was invited to compete in a special contest with older students. She won second prize for her design of a public market.
In 1904, Ida showed her design for "A Proposed City Hall" at an exhibition. In 1905, she created a plan for a model town in New England for her final master's degree project. In 1907, she showed five examples of her work at another exhibition. These included designs for a camp, a cottage, a pump house, and a two-family house.
Ida Ryan made history by becoming the first woman to earn a Master of Science degree from MIT. She was also the first woman in the U.S. to receive a master's degree in architecture. In 1907, she won a traveling scholarship worth $1200. This was the highest award the Architectural Department could give. It allowed her to spend a year studying architecture in Europe, mostly in Spain and Italy.
While at MIT, Ida was part of a club for women students called Cleophan.
Starting Her Own Architecture Firm
Ida Ryan opened the first architecture firm run by women in the United States, in Waltham, Massachusetts. She was especially interested in designing affordable homes. In 1909, another MIT graduate, Florence Luscomb, joined her practice. This made it one of the first all-women architectural firms in the country.
In 1913, Ida Ryan was appointed the superintendent of buildings and grounds for the city of Waltham. She also became the city's buildings inspector.
One example of her work from this time is the house she designed for her nephew in 1914. It was a wedding present! This two-and-a-half-story house had a unique arched roof over the entrance. She used many of these design ideas later in her work in Florida. Ida also designed a large, beautiful home for industrialist B. C. Ames in 1917. Many of the nicest homes in Waltham during that time were said to be designed by her.
Ida Ryan also worked with another MIT graduate, Harriet F. Locke. Together, they designed the Memorial Hospital in Nashua, New Hampshire, around 1915. This building had a simple Greek design.
Ida was also active in the women's suffrage movement. This movement worked to get women the right to vote. When the United States entered World War I, Ida offered her skills for free. She designed and decorated the Army and Navy Canteen in Boston. She was also the first woman to be hired in the War Department in Washington, D.C.
Even while working in Massachusetts, Ida started designing buildings in Central Florida. She designed the Unity Chapel of Orlando in 1913. For a long time, the Massachusetts chapter of the American Institute of Architects refused to let her join, simply because she was a woman.
Moving to Central Florida
Because of this and a slowdown in building during World War I, Ida Ryan moved to Central Florida. She started her architecture practice in Orlando, Florida. She became Orlando's first female architect. In 1918–1919, she worked as a designing architect for the firm of Frederick H. Trimble. Finally, in 1921, she was admitted to the AIA. She was only the eighth woman in the whole country to join!
Soon after, Isabel Roberts joined Ida Ryan. Isabel had worked with the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Ida Annah Ryan and Isabel Roberts formed their own architectural firm called "Ryan and Roberts." This was one of only about 12 architecture firms active in Orlando in the 1920s.
Here are some of the buildings designed by "Ryan and Roberts":
- Veterans Memorial Library (1012 Massachusetts Ave., St. Cloud, Florida): The architects insisted on a motto for the library. They chose, "The true university is a collection of books." This building was completed in 1922. It is made of hollow tile with a stucco exterior and is still used today.
- Amherst Apartments (325 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida): These apartments were designed in the Prairie Style and built in 1921–1922. This orange-yellow brick building had 47 apartments. It was taken down in 1986.
- Unity Chapel, Orlando (remodeled by Ryan and Roberts around 1920): This charming building was the worship home of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando. Ida Annah Ryan was a member of this church. It was taken down in the 1960s.
- Tourist Club House (700 Indiana Ave., St. Cloud, Florida): This clubhouse for the Tourist Club of St. Cloud opened in 1923. It showed the influence of the Prairie School style, which Isabel Roberts knew well. The building was taken down around 2004.
- The Ryan/Roberts Home and Studio (834 Kenilworth Terrace, Orlando, Florida): Ryan and Roberts designed this home and studio for themselves between 1920 and 1924. It is a Mediterranean Revival–style house with stucco walls. It is still a private home today and is very well kept.
- The Chapel at the Fisk Funeral Home (1107–1111 Massachusetts Avenue, St. Cloud).
- The Pennsylvania Hotel Building (10th Street, St. Cloud, Florida): This building now holds the St. Cloud Twin Theatres.
- The Peoples Bank Building (southeast corner of 10th Street and New York Avenue, St. Cloud, Florida): The bank closed in the late 1920s. The main floor is now used as a cafe and barber shop.
- Ross E. Jeffries Elementary School (1200 Vermont Avenue, St. Cloud, Florida, around 1926): Records suggest Ryan & Roberts may have designed this school. It has an arched porch at the main entrance.
- Lester M. Austin Sr. Residence (541 North Boyd Street, Winter Garden, Florida, around 1927): This is a large Mediterranean Revival stucco house with a tile roof. It is still a private home and is well-maintained.
- The Matilda A. Fraser Residence (Orlando, Florida): This is a large, beautiful Mediterranean Revival stucco mansion. It is located on one of Orlando's quiet lakes. Ryan and Roberts often used round-headed French doors and windows in their designs, which can be seen in this house.
Ida A. Ryan also worked with a builder named Samuel (Sam) Stoltz. He created unique buildings with murals in Florida. Ida Ryan lived in Orlando until she passed away on February 17, 1950. She had been ill for several years, and Isabel Roberts cared for her. Ida was buried in her hometown of Waltham, Massachusetts, as she wished.
Images for kids
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Ryan circa 1906
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Veterans Memorial Library
See also
In Spanish: Ida Annah Ryan para niños
