热点大瓜

Questions:

1. As the author explains, there were several progressive societal changes playing out in Western New York during Louise Blanchard Bethune's childhood, consider how this climate may have impacted her sense of possibility. Also, consider how some of these changes very directly impacted women, such as the passage of the Married Women's Property Act. How would her experience have been different without those changes?

2. On page 48, the author notes that Louise’s name was often omitted from projects or submissions, often just listing her husband’s name, despite her being the lead architect at their firm. This reminded me of the work of other artists such as Frida Kahlo, who was known as “Diego Rivera’s wife” for much of her lifetime. Consider how this might have impacted Bethune's professional identity. Can you think of other examples in history where women’s contributions were overshadowed by their male counterparts? How do these examples help us understand the broader context of gender dynamics in their careers?

Links:

(Buffalo as an Architectural Museum)

(from the author)

Questions:

1. Consider the constrictive social norms and expectations for women in the late 19^th century - how did Bethune (and other female architects) use these existing preconceptions to their advantage? 

2.  Chapter 3 explores the dynamics within the architecture profession and the role of associations like the AIA and WAA in establishing credibility and seeking validation for architecture as a profession. Reflecting on Louise Blanchard Bethune's interactions with these organizations, and even back to her internship with Richard A. Waite, were you surprised by the advocates she found, even though some of them held sexist preconceptions themselves?

Links:

Questions:

1. In Chapter 5, the author delves into changes to the education system in the United States, and specifically Buffalo, in the mid-19^th century. Previously schools had been small, poorly lit and poorly ventilated. Educational reforms guided the architectural design of these new buildings to make better schools. In what other ways were societal reforms changing architecture of the period? How do you think people in this time felt about the potential for architecture to be able to improve lives?

2. Consider the architectural styles that Louise worked in and were broadly popular in the time period. Why do you think in this era of progress and change, people still leaned on the styles of the past and what they could communicate?

3. The safety bicycle provided women with newfound freedoms in the mid-19th century. In what ways did Louise's sometimes conservative approach to cycling reflect her broader efforts to gain recognition and equality in the architectural field?

Links:

Sullivan, Louis. "" Lippincott's Magazine, March 1896.

Croghan, Lore. "" Brownstoner.