Sophia G. Hayden, Architect.

Woman's Building of the Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893


I do believe I've unearthed a Jamaica Plain woman of note who is as yet unrecognized. Miss Sophia G. Hayden entered a contest to design the Woman's Building at the great Columbian Exposition of 1893, and damned if she didn't win! Miss Hayden was a Boston girl, and living on Forest Hills street in Jamaica Plain at the time of the competition. I can't trace her to any other address in Boston, and she disappears from any online record with this accomplishment, but given the nature of her success - and her job at the Eliot School - I think that it is reasonable to include her in the JP Hall of Remembrance.

To read about the Woman's Building and its exhibits, go here and here.



The Daily Inter Ocean March 27, 1891


Two Boston Girls.

They Take First and Second Prize for Designs for the Woman's Fair Building.

Boston, Mass., March 26. --- Special Telegram.


Much interest was aroused in Boston this morning when the announcement was made that two Boston girls had won the first and second prizes for architectural designs for the woman's building at the World's Fair. Both are young, both are industrious, and both are Technology girls. Miss Sophia G. Hayden, who took the first prize, is a girl in her early twenties, who came from the Roxbury High School to the Institute of Technology and took the complete four years's course, graduating with the class of 1800. Her home is Forest Hills street, Jamaica Plain, and she is teacher of mechanical drawing in the Eliot School. She is a quite reserved young woman, gifted with tremendous perseverance and fondness for her work. She made her designs at home, working in her own room in hours before and after her work of teaching drawing. When the telegram announcing her success came this morning, she was almost as much surprised as if she had not been in the competition, so little had the hope of the first prize been in her thoughts. She had certainly hoped to do fairly will, but the thousand dollar prize --- well, almost any girl would find her breath taken away by that. Miss Hayden, and also Miss Howe, (who took a two years special course at the institute) are among the few women who have studied architecture. Miss Rockfellow, a graduate of the class of 1888 is the only one before Miss Hayden to take the complete course in this department. French and German, mathematics and physics are required besides the solid work in architectural history, construction, heating, and sanitary science required for the work. Miss Louise Howe, who took the second prize, is a well-liked Cambridge girl. Her home is on Appleton street. She is a draughtswoman, now in the office of Allen & Kenway. Her work on her design was done at the institute. Before going for her two years special study in architecture she had been for four years at the museum of fine arts.




June 28, 1893


Modest Miss Hayden.

Honored by Her Sisters at the World's Fair.


Chicago, June 27 -- The reception tendered today by the board of lady managers to Miss Sophia G. Hayden of Boston, the architect of the woman's building at the World's fair, brought out a large number of friends of that talented and modest little woman.

Miss Hayden did not enter the assembly room until a large number of lady managers had been shown their seats, and when she did come she was escorted, evidently much against her will, to a seat of honor on the stage.

In all 200 women were present, a very large proportion of them being members of the board of lady managers. Miss Hayden was a young graduate of the school of technology in Boston, and this was her maiden effort.

Miss Hayden was introduced and gave a short address.