The Williamsonian Winter 2023 | Page 9

9

Williamson College of the Trades was listed in the National Register of Historic Places ( NRHP ) by the U . S . Department of the Interior on Oct . 6 .

Listing in the prestigious National Register recognizes Williamson ’ s historical value as an institution of trade education that has been in existence since 1888 .

The listing also honors the fact that Williamson boasts the largest collection of buildings still in existence designed by noted Victorian-era architect Frank Furness as well as the significant philanthropy of its namesake founder Isaiah Vansant Williamson .

Being on the register will make Williamson ’ s existence known to many across the country and will also allow Williamson to compete for grants to maintain its infrastructure .

President Michael Rounds said , “ This recognition is a real honor and will be an important way to share the Williamson story with many across the country . Special thanks go to Provost Todd Zachary , Jim Tevebaugh , president of Tevebaugh Architecture and an expert on the architecture of Frank Furness , and our archivist Lesley Carey for helping us get through the long application process .”

Zachary said , “ This is a huge milestone for Williamson . This recognition

The Class of 2W2 ’ s horticulture seniors , using their skills and problemsolving abilities , completed a capstone project last spring that adds to the beauty of the campus and provides a place for students , and others , to have recreation , socialize , and relax .

Located behind the Power Plant Shop , the project consists of a place to play cornhole , hold barbecues , and a firepit brings to the forefront the importance of our school to the local community and region and our long history of providing a future pathway to generations of young men .”

NRHP is the official list of the nation ’ s historic places worthy of preservation for their historical significance . Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 , the program is administered by the National Park Service , an agency within the U . S . Department of the Interior . Applications for listing in the NRHP must be approved by the applicant ’ s state office of historic preservation before progressing to a final review by the federal agency .

Williamson ’ s long and arduous nomination process began in 2009 when architectural historians from Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineers completed a 45-page Historic Resource Survey Form and submitted it to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission ’ s Historic Preservation Office .

When state officials approved that initial document , Williamson was deemed eligible for placement on the National Register , an important first step in the process . In 2018 , Williamson began pursuing full National Register status in earnest .

Carey prepared an addendum to the 2009 report , adding clarifying details

for roasting marshmallows . It features patios , walkways , walls for sitting , and many plants . A nearby small storage building , recently renovated by carpentry students , contains an overhang roof providing a place to gather and get out of the rain as well as add to the beauty of the spot . Masonry students built a base to hold a grill for barbecuing . The grill was the Class of 2W2 ’ s class gift .

The beautiful and historic Williamson campus was recently added to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places , allowing for the opportunity for many more people across the country to become aware of the school and its mission . It also acknowledges the historical importance of the campus and its role in the community .

and supporting references from the George Heckler Archives to the earlier document . Tevebaugh advised and encouraged Williamson in its application .

With the full support of the board of trustees and Rounds , Zachary , Carey , and Suzanna Barucco , an historic preservation consultant , began the next step of the application process which was preparing a lengthy and detailed report that included maps , photographs , and archival documents demonstrating Williamson ’ s historical significance .

This thorough investigation of Williamson ’ s buildings and campus was submitted first for review by the state Office of Historic Preservation in Harrisburg , and then sent to the U . S . Interior Department for final approval .

Those interested in visiting the historic Williamson campus may request a tour through the college ’ s website .

the SkillsUSA national competition in Atlanta , Ga ., in June .

Aaron Tallman 2W2 , machine tool technology , won a gold medal in the computer numerical control ( CNC ) competition , and Ryan Fallon 2W2 , construction technology-masonry , won a bronze medal in the masonry competition .

Gideon Cyr 2W3 , construction technology-carpentry , competed in the carpentry competition , but did not place .

Pete Zwolak 0W7 , SkillsUSA advisor and director of the masonry program , said “ The best young people in the trades from across the country compete at SkillsUSA nationals and Williamson demonstrated that we can compete with the best and win . Everyone who saw us compete was impressed with the skills our students demonstrated . These three young men represented Williamson well with their skill level and behavior .”

Horticulture seniors constructed a capstone project behind the Power Plant Shop that provides a place for recreation , socializing , and relaxing . It contains a place to play cornhole , hold barbecues , and a firepit for roasting marshmallows .

Competing in the SkillsUSA national competitions were ( from left to right ): Aaron Tallman 2W2 , who won gold in the CNC competition , Ryan Fallon 2W2 , who won bronze in the masonry competition , and Gideon Cyr 2W3 , who competed in the carpentry competition , but did not place .