Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades

Rowan Hall (originally 'Main building'), designed by Frank Furness

Williamson College of the Trades is a men's junior trade college located in Middletown Township near Media, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.^[1][2] It was founded by Isaiah Vansant Williamson, on December 1, 1888 under the name, Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, and opened in 1891. 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.^[3]:95 On July 1, 2015, the school was officially renamed Williamson College of the Trades.^[4]

Williamson is the only trade college in the country that gives all students full scholarships, covering tuition, textbooks, and room & board. The college uses its endowment to cover two-thirds of student costs each year, with the balance coming from private donations and fundraising. Neither the college, nor its students accept any form of federal financial aid. Williamson College of the Trades is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.

External video

About the Machine Tool Technology Program, 2:47, July 2015, Williamson College of the Trades

Student experience

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's degree in their chosen field, but may opt for a diploma in Carpentry or Masonry.^[5]

Campus

In 1889, just six days before he died, Isaiah Williamson purchased 220 acres of land in Middletown Township, near Elwyn, Pennsylvania for the campus of his new school. Isaiah personally selected the site from over 200 prospective locations. The school's original board of trustees, headed by chairman, John Wanamaker implemented Isaiah's plans and vision for the institution following his death. Renowned Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness won the competition to design the original campus buildings. Ground was broken for the administration building in 1890 and the school opened for classes in 1891. Many of the original buildings are still in use today, functioning as they were originally purposed.^[6]

Over the decades, Williamson School has maintained a rustic feel to its campus, despite major development of surrounding properties.The historic campus features:^[7]

• Rowan Hall: Administrative offices, student lounge, dining room, and the chapel.(originally "Main Building", renamed on November 15, 2016.)^[8]
• The John Wanamaker Free School of Artisans: An integral part of the college, includes separate, modern Carpentry, Machine, Paint, and Masonry Shops
• Walter M. Strine, Sr. 2W9 Learning Center: Houses the library, the placement office, faculty and administrative offices, and classrooms.
• Lipp Educational Center: Includes classrooms, faculty offices, a computer laboratory, a resource room with a technical library, and three separate laboratories.
• The Restall Sports Center: Completed in 1988, offers a basketball court, indoor running track, weight room, locker rooms, offices, lounge, and laundry facilities.
• Student housing: 12 Dormitories, including: Byers Hall I & II, C Cottage, Derrickson, Eyre, George, Jenks, Longstreth, Smith, Stell, Townsend, and Watson (2017)
• Faculty homes: On-campus housing for faculty members.
• Athletic fields: Football, soccer, baseball.
• "Williamson School" Station: An abandoned SEPTA train station located on campus. The station ended service in 1986.
• Alumni Hall: The Clarence W. Schrenk Program in Horticulture, Landscaping, and Turf Management is located in this hall. The program maintains two greenhouses and many gardens, including the Sabia Garden adjacent to the McLean Technical Center. The complex of facilities supporting the Horticulture program is named in honor of Mrs. Dorrance H. Hamilton.

In 2013, a historical marker from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission was placed on campus to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the school and its historic campus architecture.^[9]

References

External links

• The full text of Life of Isaiah V. Williamson at Wikisource
• Williamson College of the Trades official school website

Coordinates: 39°54′23″N 75°25′24″W / 39.9065°N 75.4234°W / 39.9065; -75.4234