Schools
SWBOCES students preserve a piece of local history
Collaboration with Greenburgh imparts skills training; restores windows in historic barn at Hart's Brook Park and Preserve.
Carpentry students at the SWBOCES Center for Career Services in Valhalla are learning marketable skills while restoring windows in the historic barn at Hart’s Brook Park and Preserve in Hartsdale, a property jointly owned by the state, Westchester County and the Town of Greenburgh.
The restoration and repair project is being done in collaboration with the town, which received a $25,000 grant from the Lanza Family Foundation to carry out the work.
The students, under the guidance of SWBOCES carpentry teacher Richie Thomas, are refurbishing 53 windows from the barn, which is part of the old Gaisman Estate. Former owner Henry Gaisman invented the Gillette safety razor blade.
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The work includes re-glazing, an in-demand skill that restores broken/deteriorated windows. The students are also masking, priming and painting them.
“We are thrilled to get local SWBOCES students to assist us in restoring the windows to this historic barn,” said Greenburgh Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Gerard Byrne.
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Mr. Byrne said the project not only gives students valuable offsite work experience, but also exposure to the kind of early 20th century architecture that just can’t be found anywhere else in central or lower Westchester.
Mr. Thomas said he was delighted to take on the project and the opportunity to teach his students an marketable skill that could some day help get them a good-paying job.
The students are currently working on the second batch of windows, which were delivered to the classroom by staff from Greenburgh’s Parks & Recreation Department in early February.
SWBOCES Principal Jim Matera said the collaborative project is a great example of how two organizations can work together to benefit students. It is also a way for the Center to comply with the state Education Department’s mandate that career and tech students accrue more work-based learning hours before graduation.
“The Town of Greenburgh has been a great partner to us as we educate our future tradespeople,” said Mr. Matera.
“Not only are our students gaining authentic work experience through this project, but they are also helping to restore a part of their own community for future park goers to enjoy.”
