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Ruth Reynolds Freeman
Born(1913-04-13)April 13, 1913
Brainardsville, New York
DiedAugust 27, 1969(1969-08-27) (aged 56)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationArchitect
AwardsSchool Medal, American Institute of Architects (1936)
St. Mark's Church in Burlington, completed in 1942.
The State Office Building in Montpelier, completed in 1949.
The Ohavi Zedek synagogue in Burlington, completed in 1952.
The Federal Building in Burlington, completed in 1957.

Ruth Reynolds Freeman AIA (April 13, 1913– August 27, 1969) was an American architect in practice in Burlington, Vermont from 1937 until her death in 1969. Freeman spent her entire career as partner in charge of design of the firm of Freeman French Freeman, which she cofounded with her husband, William W. Freeman (1908–2004), and John C. French Jr. (1903-1989) in 1937. Freeman was the first woman to practice architecture in the state and is credited with the introduction of modern architecture to the region.

Life and career

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Ruth Millicent Reynolds was born April 13, 1913 in Brainardsville, New York to Myers J. Reynolds and Maude Reynolds, nee Gaines. She was educated at Franklin Academy in nearby Malone before enrolling in the architecture school of Cornell University. At Cornell she began a relationship with fellow student William Wallstone Freeman , a Richmond, Vermont native who was in his fifth year of the five year program when she was in her first. They were married in 1935 while Ruth was still a student. William, who had since his graduation been employed by Burlington, Vermont architect Frank Lyman Austin, then opened his own Burlington office while Ruth finished her degree. She graduated with her BArch in 1936 and joined her husband, working as equal partners. In 1937 they established a formal partnership between themselves and John C. French Jr., an experienced architect who had also worked for Austin. The new firm of Freeman French Freeman started with the design of private homes but quickly began to win public commissions.

During the formative years of Freeman French Freeman the three partners developed clearly defined roles: Ruth was responsible for design, French for drafting and production and William for office management and specification writing. French and William also shared responsibility for construction supervision and client relations. The firm began with the design of private homes but quickly began to win public commissions. In several of their early major projects, including the Barre Auditorium (1939) and St. Mark's Church (1942) in Burlington, Freeman French Freeman introduced modern architecture to Vermont. They maintained their reputation for quality and innovation during the ensuing decades, and their work frequently won awards. On several occasions they collaborated with leading modernist firms, including Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and the Office of Mies van der Rohe, on work in Vermont.

Both Freemans were active in the local architecture community. William joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1938, and Ruth joined in 1948. Both were instrumental in the organization of a Vermont chapter the same year. Ruth was its first president, and in this role she was the first woman elected to any AIA office. William was elected a fellow of the AIA in 1966, the first Vermont architect to be so honored. Ruth was appointed to the state board of architectural registration in 1959, a position which she would hold until her death. Towards the end of her life Freeman developed breast cancer, which eventually left her bedridden. Nonetheless she remained in charge of design until her death, consulting on projects from her bed.

Ruth Freeman died August 27, 1969 at the age of 56. French had retired in 1967 and William retired in 1974.The firm continued without its founders under the leadership of their partners and successors, including William Wiese II FAIA, Fred A. Senftleber AIA, Jesse Beck AIA and Alex Halpern AIA.

Personal life

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The Freemans had one son, Jay Reynolds Freeman.

Legacy

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French retired from practice in 1967, Ruth died August 27, 1969, and William retired in 1974. The firm was continued by their associates, including William Wiese II, partner since 1958, and F. A. Senftleber.

Wiese: UVA '51, joined 3F in '51, associate in '56, partner in '58.[1]

1967: retirement of French, promotion of Robert A. Metz AIA, F. A. Senftleber AIA, Lloyd S. Pelley PE and William M. Duff AIA to associate partner.[2]

Architectural works

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Employees in practice in Vermont:

  • William S. Cowles Jr., Shelburne (1949–1951)[3]
  • Julian Goodrich, South Burlington (1946–1947)[4]
  • Charles J. Hubbard, Burlington (1956–1957)[5]
  • Walter R. Moulton Jr., Burlington (–1966)[6]
  • Benjamin Stein, Burlington (1947–1955)[7]
  • Roland M. Whittier, Burlington (1937–1941)[8]

Employees in practice elsewhere:

  • Rose Mary Best, Indianapolis (1946–1947)[9]
  • Thomas Hawk Creighton, New York City (1938–1940)[10]
  • F. A. Evans Jr., Troy, New York (1937 and 1938)[11]
  • Elmer J. Manson, Lansing, Michigan (1937)[12]
  • Salvatore C. Valastro, Woodhaven, New York (1958–1960)[13]

until 1985, when Freeman French Freeman was incorporated.[14] The firm has since been led by presidents Wiese, Jesse Beck and Alex Halpern.

  • William W. French, 1937–1973
  • John C. French Jr., 1937–1967
  • Ruth Reynolds Freeman, 1937–1969
  • William Wiese II, 1958–1985
  • Robert A. Metz, associate, 1967–?, partner, ?–1973 (died in Delta Air Lines Flight 723 disaster)[15]

Presidents:

  • William Wiese II (?–1993)
  • Jesse Beck (1996–2022)
  • Alex Halpern (2022–Present)

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "William Wiese is new partner in architect firm," Burlington Free Press, January 9, 1958, 2.
  2. ^ Architectural Record 142 (1967): 29.
  3. ^ "Cowles, William S(heffield), Jr." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 112.
  4. ^ "Goodrich, Julian (Wayne)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 203.
  5. ^ https://aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AHDAA/pages/35714962/ahd1020861
  6. ^ "Moulton, Walter R(edmond) Jr." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 500.
  7. ^ "Stein, Benjamin (Charles) (Jr.)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 671.
  8. ^ "Whittier, Roland M." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 602.
  9. ^ "Best, (Miss) Rose Mary" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 53.
  10. ^ "Creighton, Thomas H(awk)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 115–116.
  11. ^ "Evans, F(ay) A(uld), Jr." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 161.
  12. ^ "Manson, Elmer J(ohn)" in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1956): 364.
  13. ^ "Valastro, Salvatore C." in American Architects Directory (New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1962): 720.
  14. ^ Vermont corporation search
  15. ^ Paul D. Houle, The Crash of Delta Flight 723: The Worst Air Disaster in New England History (Jefferson: McFarland & Company, 2021): 19.
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