Mary Almy facts for kids

Mary Almy (1883–1967) was an American architect. She was a partner at Howe, Manning & Almy, Inc.. This was one of the first architecture companies started by women in the United States. They specialized in designing homes. Mary Almy studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1917 to 1919.

Early Life and Education

Mary Almy grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. When she was a child, she had polio. This illness affected her legs. She used crutches to walk throughout her life.

In 1905, she graduated from Radcliffe College. She worked as a teacher for a while. Later, she became interested in architecture. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1919. She studied there for three years.

At that time, MIT had different rules for female students. Women could not join the four-year architecture program. They were limited to a two-year program in architectural drafting. Before studying at MIT, Mary Almy designed a summer home for her family on Cape Cod.

Mary Almy's Career in Architecture

Mary Almy worked as a drafter in London for two years. She worked at an architectural company called Collcut and Hamp. In the 1920s, she became a drafter for a Boston company. This company was owned by Lois Lilley Howe and Eleanor Manning. They had also studied at MIT.

In 1926, Mary Almy became a member of the American Institute of Architects. She also became a partner at Howe, Manning & Almy, Inc. As a partner, she became the chief drafter for the company.

The company survived the Great Depression, a tough economic time. However, the firm closed in 1937 when Lois Howe retired. Manning and Almy then continued their work in private practice. Mary Almy also worked with landscape architect Henrietta Pope.

Notable Works and Projects

Mary Almy and her firm worked on many interesting projects. Here are some of them:

• In 1926, they worked on the Fitchburg Art Museum in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
• They also designed for The College Club of Boston in Boston in 1926.
• In 1928, they completed work for Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• They designed for Fleur-de-Lis Camp in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, in 1931.
• In 1932, they worked on projects for Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey.
• They also designed for Winship - Boston Public Schools in Brighton, Massachusetts, in 1932.
• In 1934, they worked on the Lynn Boy Scout Camp in Lynn, Massachusetts.
• They designed for the Cambridge Social Union in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1935.
• In 1937, they worked on Garland Junior College in Boston.

Mary Almy's Legacy

Mary Almy's important papers are kept at MIT. They are part of the collection for Howe, Manning and Almy. Her family's papers are at the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe College. The work of Howe, Manning, and Almy was studied in a special research paper in 1976.

See also