College Avenue Labs
Pennsylvania College of Technology History Trail Stop 10
| | 1914 Centennial 2014 | |
Constructed in 2003
The closing of a factory adjacent to campus and the generosity of company executives led to the development of College Avenue Labs.
In 2001, Hon Industries Inc. offered Penn College a generous gift-purchase agreement after announcing plans to close its Williamsport factory. The College paid $750,000 for the transaction, valued at more than $3.4 million.
An extensive renovation of the factory led to the development of learning laboratories for programs related to manufacturing, collision repair, drafting, and engineering technologies.
Once a Furniture Factory
Hon Industries, one of the nation's largest manufacturers of office furniture, purchased the Williamsport factory, which now houses College Avenue Labs, in 1983.
Previously, the plant was in operation for many years as J. K. Rishel Furniture Company, known for producing high-grade office furniture since the turn of the 20th century.
The Hon factory in Williamsport was one of five factories that produced quality office furnishings, including pieces made for the White House, the Capitol, and embassies of the United States.
Inside College Avenue Labs (CAL)
"Intelligent" large-group classroom
Collision repair lab
Automated manufacturing lab
[Marker timeline images, from left to right]
Extensive renovations converted a former furniture factory into state-of-the-art laboratories.
The renovated facility was opened in 2003.
Industry connections include a "Haas Technical Education Center" in automated manufacturing.
[School's centennial timeline]
1914 - Williamsport Area School District Adult Education
1941 - Williamsport Technical Institute
1965 - Williamsport Area Community College
1989 - Pennsylvania College of Technology
Erected 2014
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 2003.
Location. 41° 14.193′ N, 77° 1.679′ W. Marker is in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in Lycoming County. It can be reached from West 3rd Street. Marker is on the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus, near the lab's main (east) entrance, located between College Avenue and 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsport PA 17701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Pennsylvania Wilds and in the Susquehanna Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Also see . . . Penn College History Trail. (Submitted on August 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on July 27, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
