K
The Mansion
on the
Hill
Cram, a noted
athy Raunikar,
architect famous for
who will soon
his Gothic Revival
celebrate
and Collegiate Gothic
her first year with
structures, studied
the YWCA, says,
“Our organization
classical architecture
helps the community
in Rome and designed
through many
several buildings for
programs, including
Princeton University and
early childhood
was commissioned to
education, health and
design the U.S. Military
BY MIKE BUZZELLI
Academy at West Point.
wellness, social justice,
He also collaborated
technology education,
with Bertram Goodhue
literacy and our Thrift
Shop.” She adds, “I like
on the building of
the variety of job responsibilities that each day brings.”
Saint Thomas Church in New York, which is located on
She also enjoys working every day at the historic Huff
Manhattan’s prestigious Fifth Avenue.
Huff and Cram were reportedly good friends which
Mansion in the heart of the Academy Hill Historic District.
may explain how Huff was able to secure the architect.
The YWCA has been housed in the 114-year-old building
To have such a celebrated architect design your personal
since 1970. It is considered to be one of the grandest of the
abode must have been quite a coup for the well-heeled
Academy Hill mansions, despite some stiff competition
Huff. The early 20th century home is somewhat of a departure
from several stately homes in the area. The home was designed by
Ralph Adams Cram for William A. Huff, an industrialist who made his from Cram’s usual Gothic designs and is described as Neo-Classical
Jeffersonian.
fortune in coal and banking.
Kathy Raunikar, executive director of the Young Women’s
Christian Association (YWCA) of Westmoreland County,
discusses the organization’s mission to eliminate racism and
empower women and the historic mansion it calls home.
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