Theodora (Theo) Alice Ruggles Kitson was a pioneering American sculptor whose early promise in the arts blossomed into a distinguished career. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, she showed an early aptitude for sculpture, famously creating a large snow sculpture titled Reclining Horse at the age of 14, which attracted crowds from Boston in 1885. This early recognition led to formal training under the guidance of Henry Hudson Kitson, a noted sculptor and her future husband.
Theo’s most enduring contribution to American sculpture is her work on the Framingham Minuteman Memorial (1900), a bronze monument commemorating the town’s Revolutionary War soldiers. Commissioned by the local Daughters of the American Revolution, the statue was designed by her husband Henry but executed by Theo, with her name prominently inscribed on the sculpture. This project highlighted her exceptional skill and artistic vision.
Though she and Henry Kitson later separated, Theo continued to live in Framingham, where she remained active in the arts until her death in 1932. Her legacy is one of both artistic achievement and quiet determination, leaving behind a significant mark on American public sculpture. She is remembered not only for her technical prowess but also as a trailblazer who helped to break gender barriers in the arts during a time when women were often excluded from public recognition.