Description

In honor of the Year of the Woman in Maryland and the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote, the Liriodendron Foundation is hosting an exhibit through August 26 that celebrates women who contributed their design talent to Maryland’s built environment at a time when few women were in the profession.  Many of the women practiced through the lean years of the Depression and World War II, designing buildings in Maryland and across the country, serving as a story of perseverance and determination.  

Also showcased in the exhibit is artwork and architectural drawings of Poldi Hirsch (1926-1987), a Havre de Grace resident and the first woman of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) who owned her own firm.  Over 25 modern structures still stand in Harford County as a testament to her professional perseverance and pioneering legacy. 

The exhibit is on view free to the public through August 26 during the Liriodendron Mansion’s Open House hours each Wednesday from 1 to 7 pm, and on Sunday, August 9th from 11 am to 3 pm, or by appointment by contacting 410.879.4424 or info@liriodendron.com.

The travelling exhibit was sponsored by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF) and developed by members of the Women in Architecture (now EQUITY) Committee of AIA Baltimore, with research assistance from architecture students at Morgan State University. For more information, visit www.aiawam.com.

In addition to the exhibit, a special online presentation will be given on Wednesday, August 12, at 7 pm by the curator of the exhibit, Jillian Storms, AIA.  Ms Storms received BAF's Roger Redden Award and Preservation Maryland's George T. Harrison Volunteer Award in recognition of her extensive work in organizing the research effort and curating the traveling exhibit.  She has a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Urban Studies and Planning from Goucher College. 

To register for the presentation, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/x/trailblazing-women-of-architecture-in-maryland-tickets-115653918985

The Liriodendron Mansion is a design wonder in itself to see and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It was designed by the firm of Wyatt & Nolting Architects in 1898 as the summer home for the family of Dr. Howard Atwood Kelly, one of the four founding physicians of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical College.  The estate, comprised of multiple buildings and 108 acres of property, is now owned by Harford County.  The Liriodendron Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, manages the property for the public benefit as a center for Harford County history and cultural arts, as well as offers the venue for wedding and conferences.  This exhibit is the first cultural event offered since the pandemic curtailed operations this spring.  Don’t miss it!

For more information and updates, please visit https://liriodendron.com