Castles of Europe: 2005 Desk Diary Book

Amazing woman! Despite her struggle with depression this woman persevered and became America's first female (self-taught) architect. Theo was a survivor of the R.M.S. Lusitania when it was torpedoed by a German submarine. Married John Wallace Riddle, they traveled widely and socialized with many big names such as Henry James, Dr. Carl Jung, Mary Cassatt, Edith Wharton, Charles Lindberg, Chick Austin and many more. Theo's big heart and compassion compelled her to become a foster parent to 2 yr. old orphan, Gordon Brockway (who died in 1916) and later, to orphaned boys, Donald Carson and Paul Martin. Growing up in Farmington I am familiar with Hill-Stead Museum, & Miss Porter's School. Now I know her story. Great read!

Her accomplishments: Hill-Stead, Farmington, CT (1901); West-Over School, Middlebury, CT (1906-09); Highfield for Joseph and Elizabeth Chamberlain, Middlebury, CT (1911-14); Builds 3 houses for Hill-Stead workers at 179, 181 and 185 Garden Street, Farmington (1914-15); Dormer House for Mrs. Charles Gates, Locust Valley, Long Island, New York (1913); Constructs Hop Brook School, Naugatuck, CT (1914-15); Licensed as an architect in New York State (1916); Accepted into the American Institute of Architects (1918); Reconstructs Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, New York City (1920-22); Begins construction of Avon Old Farms School, Avon, CT (1921); Avon Old Farms School opens (1927); Licensed as Connecticut’s sixth woman architect (1933)