Katherine Cutler Ficken facts for kids

Katherine Cutler Ficken (born 1911, died 1968) was an American architect. She made history by becoming the very first woman to get her architect's license in the state of Maryland.

Early Life and Education

Katherine Cutler was born on March 3, 1911. Her parents were Howard Wright Cutler and Marie Katherine (Zahn) Cutler. She was born in Rochester, New York.

Her father was also an architect. He designed hospitals for soldiers during World War I. Later, he focused on designing schools and government buildings. When Katherine was eight, her family moved to Washington, D.C. and then to Silver Spring, Maryland.

In 1934, Katherine graduated from George Washington University. She earned a degree in architecture. During her summer breaks from college, she worked part-time. She was a draftsperson for her father's company. A draftsperson draws detailed plans for buildings. She also worked for the government during these summers.

Career as an Architect

Katherine Ficken started her own architecture business in 1934. For several years, she also worked with her father's company. She helped him with many projects. These included about a dozen high schools and elementary schools in Montgomery County. They also worked on several buildings for the University of Maryland (UMD).

One project they worked on together was the Rock Creek Field House. It was a rest station made of wood and stone. In 2013, this building was suggested for a special list of historic places.

In 1936, Katherine got her architect's license in Maryland. This made her the first woman to do so in the state. Two years later, she was still the only woman with this license there.

One of Katherine's first big projects started in 1940. She designed a large farm for a wealthy woman named Clara Hyatt. For this farm, she designed a brick main house, called "Redwall." She also designed farm buildings and a watering system for the fields. The whole farm was planned so one woman could run it alone during the war. This was important because many men were away fighting.

Later, she worked on rebuilding a restaurant. This project won an award. Its success helped her get a large job from UMD after the war.

In 1947, she married Rudolph William Ficken. After that, she used Katherine Cutler Ficken as her professional name. In 1956, they adopted a son, Rudolph Ficken, Jr.

Katherine Ficken became a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1950. The AIA is a group for architects. She passed away from cancer in Bethesda, Maryland, on October 14, 1968.

Legacy and Recognition

Katherine Ficken was one of 12 architects featured in a special art show. The show was called "Early Women of Architecture in Maryland." The AIA organized this traveling exhibition. It opened in June 2015.

Notable Buildings and Designs

Projects with Howard Wright Cutler

• Rock Creek Field House (1940; now Meadowbrook Recreation Building)
• Lynbrook Elementary School, Bethesda (1941)
• UMD Dairy Building Addition & Renovation (1948)

Solo Projects

• UMD, Edna Amos Nice Hall, Solomons Island (around 1938)
• Clara Hyatt estate, Germantown (1940–1945)
• American Instrument Company additions, Silver Spring (1942–1943)
• Solomons Island Yacht Club (1944)
• Ceres Restaurant reconstruction (1945)
• UMD dining hall addition and greenhouses, College Park (1945–1948)

See also

In Spanish: Katherine Cutler Ficken para niños