Williamson College of the Trades

Last updated
Williamson College of the Trades
Williamson Free Trade School.JPG
Type Private men's junior vocational college
Established1888
President Michael J. Rounds
Undergraduates 250
Location, ,
U.S.

39°54′23″N75°25′24″W / 39.9065°N 75.4234°W / 39.9065; -75.4234
CampusRural, 220 acres (89 ha)
Colors     Blue, gold, white
Nickname Mechanics
Sporting affiliations
USCAA
Website www.williamson.edu
Isaiah Vansant Williamson c.1880 Isaiah Vansant Williamson.png
Isaiah Vansant Williamson c.1880

Williamson College of the Trades (formerly Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades) is a private men's junior vocational college in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania. [1] The school was founded on December 1, 1888, by Philadelphia merchant and philanthropist Isaiah Vansant Williamson. [2] [3]

Contents

External videos
Williamson stairway.JPG
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg About the Machine Tool Technology Program, 2:47, July 2015, Williamson College of the Trades

History

Historic dates

Planning and founding

After contemplating the idea since the 1850s, Isaiah Williamson spent the final decade of his life formulating and developing the concept for a new trade school for underprivileged boys to be located in a suburb of Philadelphia. Williamson personally drafted the Foundation of Deed, which he presented to the board of trustees on December 1, 1888. The charter members of the board of trustees were all accomplished in their own right, consisting of mostly tradesmen, who were colleagues and friends of Williamson. The seven charter trustees included: John Baird, James C. Brooks, Lemuel Coffin, Edward Longstreth, William C. Ludwig, Henry C. Townsend, and Williamson's close friend and protege, John Wanamaker. Baird was chosen as president of the trustees (after Wanamaker declined the position), and Brooks and Helmbold were selected as treasurer and secretary, respectively. John M. Shrigley was also appointed secretary and President of the school. He took the lead in developing the campus and implementing the curriculum. [8]

Campus

On March 6, 1889, the day before he died, Isaiah Williamson approved the purchase of 220 acres of land to be used for the school's campus in Middletown Township, near Elwyn, Pennsylvania. The site was selected from over 200 prospective locations, and the trustees acted quickly to secure the property and carry out Williamson's vision for the institution. The campus was later described by John Wanamaker as "... gently rolling country with its springs and water courses, its broad pastures, its woodland acres of old oaks and chestnuts, its distant views of fertile farms, thriving towns—natural beauties enhanced by wise and not overdone landscape gardening, winding macadamized drives, and an artistic as well as convenient grouping of the various school buildings". [8]

Renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness won the design competition for the original campus buildings. His design was selected from among the other invited submissions for its understated details and simplicity. Ground was broken for the administration building in 1890 and the campus opened for classes in September, 1891.

The original campus buildings consisted of: the Administration Building, the boiler house, a shop building, the Superintendent's residence and 3 cottages. [8]

Most of the original buildings are still functioning as they were originally purposed. [5] Over the decades, Williamson has maintained a rustic feel to its campus by keeping the majority of its land undeveloped. [9]

The current facilities on the campus include:

Pennsylvania historical marker

In 2013, a historical marker from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission was placed near the campus' main entrance in commemoration of the school's 125th anniversary and its noteworthy architecture. [12] The historical marker (#HM1D5B) reads:

Founded in 1888 by philanthropist Isaiah V. Williamson to teach underprivileged young men "some trade, free of expense" via a character ~ based curriculum. With trade apprenticeships disappearing in the US in the late 19th century, it was a model in vocational education. It is the only trade school in the nation providing full scholarships to all students. The campus contains the largest existing collection of buildings designed by Frank Furness. [13]

Student life

Although the vocational school subscribes to a "Judeo-Christian" belief system, and enforces a highly disciplined lifestyle, it is not affiliated with any religious organization. [8] :95

Williamson is the only trade college in the United States that gives all students full scholarships covering tuition, textbooks, and room and board. The college uses its endowment to cover two-thirds of student costs each year, with the balance coming from private donations and fundraising. Williamson College of the Trades is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.

All students are required to live on-campus throughout their three years of study. Students live in supervised dormitories, attend a daily chapel service, and follow a dress code. Students must also participate in at least one official student activity each year. Choices include: team sports, the student newspaper, and student government.

Courses are offered in the following trades:

Graduates receive an associate degree in their chosen field, but may opt for a diploma in carpentry or masonry. [14]

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References

  1. "Zoning Map" (PDF). Middletown Township . Retrieved 2023-10-29. - The map indicates the location of the school, "Williamson Trade School".
  2. Holmes, Kristin (18 May 2015). "Changing times at Delco trade school". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  3. "Students at Delco's Williamson College make top 10". Philly.com. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  4. "Williamson's Monument". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 1, 1891. p. 6. Retrieved August 15, 2020 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 3 "The Founding of Williamson". www.williamson.edu. 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  6. Von Bergen., Jane M. (March 27, 2008). "Philadelphia Inquirer: Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades Receives Gifts Totaling $45 Million". www.philanthropynewsdigest.org, www.philly.com. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  7. "It's Official — We are now Williamson College of the Trades!". 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Wanamaker, John (1928). Life of Isaiah V. Williamson  . Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company via Wikisource.
  9. "Campus Facilities". www.williamson.edu. 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  10. "Williamson renames building in honor of benefactor". November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016 via www.delcotimes.com.
  11. Times, Daily (2009-09-25). "Walter M. Strine, 100Founder Media Real Estate Co.; philanthropist". Delco Times. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  12. Alburger, Bette (June 7, 2013). "PA Historical Marker installed at Williamson Trade School". www.delconewsnetwork.com. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  13. "The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades". www.historicalmarkerproject.com. October 26, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  14. Trade programs