Williamsport in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Parkes Automotive Technology Center

Pennsylvania College of Technology History Trail Stop 8

— 1914 • Centennial • 2014 —

Parkes Automotive Technology Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 22, 2018

1. Parkes Automotive Technology Center Marker

Inscription.

Parkes Automotive Technology Center. Pennsylvania College of Technology History Trail Stop 8.

Constructed in 1970

The Parkes Automotive Technology Center at Penn College is one of the oldest postsecondary automotive instructional programs in the nation; classes were first offered nearly a century ago.

Major industry sponsors attest to the quality of automotive education available in this facility, which was rededicated in 2010 following an extensive renovation.

Projects on Display , The 2010 renovation of the automotive facility was part of a $45.27 million campus building program.

In addition to automotive and collision repair programs that support the most advanced technology vehicles, Penn College offers an automotive restoration degree that provides opportunities for students to work on models that include the most prestigious and recognizable names in automobile history.

Penn College student projects have been displayed at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum.

Inside the Automotive Technology Center (ATC) , . Instructional space.

. Autos on shop floor.

. Rededication.

George H. Parkes , Dr. George H. Parkes, who served as the director of Williamsport Technical Institute from 1941-52, was a vocational teacher at Williamsport High School when the first automotive class was offered. Hailed as a "mechanic with a Ph.D.," Dr. Parkes entered the field of education in 1920, armed with a degree in mechanical engineering and experience as a railroad mechanic. He spent nearly 40 years in Williamsport as a teacher and administrator.

[Marker timeline images, from left to right] , . The first auto repair class - with one student and one automobile - was taught on the campus in 1920. Instruction took place outdoors, under the bleachers of a football field that was located behind Bardo Gymnasium.

. "Unit 1," built under the leadership of Dr. Parkes, was believed to be one of the first automotive instructional facilities built by a school.

. Dr. Parkes' family came to the Automotive Technology Center to celebrate the College's "Diamond 10" anniversary in 1999.

. A rededication ceremony celebrated expansion of the facility in 2010.

[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

Constructed in 1970

The Parkes Automotive Technology Center at Penn College is one of the oldest postsecondary automotive instructional programs in the nation; classes were first offered nearly a century ago.

Major industry sponsors attest to the quality of automotive education available in this facility, which was rededicated in 2010 following an extensive renovation.

Projects on Display
The 2010 renovation of the automotive facility was part of a $45.27 million campus building program.

Penn College student projects have been displayed at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum.

Inside the Automotive Technology Center (ATC)
• Instructional space.

• Autos on shop floor.

• Rededication.

George H. Parkes
Dr. George H. Parkes, who served as the director of Williamsport Technical Institute from 1941-52, was a vocational teacher at Williamsport High School when the first automotive class was offered. Hailed as a "mechanic with a Ph.D.," Dr. Parkes entered the field of education in 1920, armed with a degree in mechanical engineering and experience as a railroad mechanic. He spent nearly 40 years in Williamsport as a teacher and administrator.

[Marker timeline images, from left to right]
• The first auto repair class - with one student and one automobile - was taught on the campus in 1920. Instruction took place outdoors, under the bleachers of a football field that was located behind Bardo Gymnasium.

• "Unit 1," built under the leadership of Dr. Parkes, was believed to be one of the first automotive instructional facilities built by a school.

• Dr. Parkes' family came to the Automotive Technology Center to celebrate the College's "Diamond 10" anniversary in 1999.

• A rededication ceremony celebrated expansion of the facility in 2010.

[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

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by Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Man-Made Features • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 2010.

Location. 41° 14.098′ N, 77° 1.574′ W. Marker is in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in Lycoming County. It can be reached from Hagan Way. Marker and building are on the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus, along the pedestrian mall south of the intersection of 3rd and Susquehanna Streets. 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

Parkes Automotive Technology Center and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 22, 2018

2. Parkes Automotive Technology Center and Marker

of this marker: Thompson Professional Development Center (a few steps from this marker); Lycoming Construction Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Jeune Chef (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centennial Mosaic (about 400 feet away); Victorian House (about 400 feet away); Field House (about 600 feet away); Hager Lifelong Education Center (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsport.

Also see . . . Penn College History Trail. (Submitted on August 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Additional commentary.
1. 104 years!
This is my great grandfather! It’s crazy to see how much he accomplished. Im the young blonde kid who visited in 1999 with my father Edward and grandfather George. I’d also like to say love of mechanics is definitely in the blood. I love working on anything with a motor. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted November 10, 2023, by Zachary Parkes of Binghamton, New York.

Pennsylvania College of Technology Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

3. Pennsylvania College of Technology Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 305 times since then and 22 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.