Minerva Parker Nichols was the first woman in America to open her own architecture practice.

She, however, didn’t get nearly as much recognition for her work throughout the 1880s and early 1900s, writes Abby Connolly for MSN.

Born in Illinois in 1862, Nichols grew up on a farm and was raised by her aunt and grandparents after losing both her parents by the age of seven.

Upon studying architectural drafting and earning a job as an apprentice for architect Edwin W. Thorne in the 1880s, she began to make her mark in the industry.

Thorne was known for developing railroad suburbs outside of Philadelphia, and when he died around 1889, Nichols took over his practice, making her the first woman to open a solo architecture practice in the United States.

Aside from her office projects, Nichols also taught courses on architectural ornament at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women.

She married Rev. William Ichabod Nichols in 1891, and opened a home office in 1893 so she could continue working on her projects after giving birth to her daughter Adelaide in 1894.

Nichols passed away in 1949 at 87, and this year, an exhibit dedicated to bringing her life and work was displayed at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design.

Read more about Minerva Parker Nichols’ legacy at MSN.

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