Bethune - every woman her own architect
This exhibition celebrates Buffalo-based architect Louise Blanchard Bethune, FAIA, the first professional woman architect in the United States and the first woman elected to the American Institute of Architects. Louise Bethune’s many residential, commercial, and educational projects include Lockport Union High School, the Buffalo Livestock Exchange, the 74th Regiment Armory, and the historic Hotel Lafayette. The exhibition features the “Zina Bethune Collection on Louise Bethune” and materials from the Fashion and Textile Technology Department’s Historic Costume and Textile Collection at SUNY Buffalo State University; the Buffalo History Museum; the Rare Book Room, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and the New York State Museum.
The Zina Bethune collection on Louise Bethune was gifted to University Archives by multiple donors. The bulk of the collection was gifted by Sean Feeley (husband of Zina Bethune) in January 2017, and additional material was added by Jon Morris in June 2018. The University Archives would also like to thank Kelly Hayes McAlonie for facilitating the donations and her work on the exhibition.
The exhibit is open to the public from 10am-4pm on Monday-Friday, and by appointment (Special Collections Department, 420 Capen Hall).