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Williamson's Mission

Williamson College of the Trades prepares deserving young men to be respected leaders and productive members of society.

Williamson's Vision

Through scholarships that fully meet each student’s financial need, Williamson uniquely develops the entire student, spiritually, socially, and professionally, emphasizing academic, trade, technical, and moral education in a structured community based on Judeo-Christian principles.

Why Williamson Matters

Play Video

Researchers from Tufts University’s Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development recently concluded a three-year study of character development at Williamson, funded through a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation. In the video, Tufts University Researcher, Dr. Richard Lerner summarizes the results of the study and expounds upon why Williamson matters for the future of American society.

Core Values

Faith, Integrity, Diligence, Excellence, and Service

Areas of Study

Williamson Facts

Length of
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Current Enrollment

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Student/Faculty Ratio

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students

Costs

All students attend on full scholarships that cover tuition, room, and boarding. Students pay for personal items, a small annual fee, and their books and supplies costs.

Student Duties

Students must follow all college regulations, policies, and procedures. These policies are outlined in the Student Handbook and other administrative publications available online through the college’s Student Management System.

Facilities

Williamson’s campus includes the Main Administration Building; Wesley Student Center; Restall Sports Center; Carpentry Shop; Machine Shop; Masonry Shop; Electrical Shop; Power Plant; Lipp Educational Center; Dorrance H. Hamilton Horticultural Center; Walter M. Strine, Sr. 2W9 Learning Center; William L. McLean, Jr. Technical Center; Grounds Buildings; thirteen dormitories; faculty homes; and athletic fields.

Accreditation

Williamson is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and approved by the Division of Program Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Education to confer the Associate in Specialized Technology Degree. To better serve its students and to enhance partnerships with other institutions of higher education, Williamson College of the Trades is pursuing MSCHE accreditation.

Location

The 220-acre campus is located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, one mile west of Media and fourteen miles west of Philadelphia, near the intersection of US 1 and PA 352.

Housing

All students must live in an on-campus dormitory supervised by an adult dormitory manager.

History

George F. Heckler 4W2 Archives

The George F. Heckler Archives at the Williamson College of the Trades was named for George F. Heckler, the first college archivist. Mr. Heckler was a graduate from the class of 1942, an instructor and President of the College from 1979-1984. Mr. Heckler had an interest in preserving Williamson College’s history from his first years here when he was a member of the camera club and a staff member of The Mechanic, the Williamson College of the Trades yearbook.

Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades (now known as Williamson College of the Trades) in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania (Delaware County) was established in 1888 with an endowment from Philadelphia merchant and philanthropist Isaiah V. Williamson. The tuition-free school initially offered vocational training for high school-aged men in areas such as bricklaying, carpentry, and machine shop. Since becoming a post-secondary institution in 1961, the school now offers associate degrees in various fields of specialized technology. The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades records, 1746-2014 (bulk 1888-2014), consist of administrative and financial records; a variety of visual, audio, and audiovisual materials; alumni and student publications; alumni records and personal papers; blueprints, deeds, and other documents relating to the School’s property; and several other materials that document the functions of the School and the individual experiences of its students, teachers, and other associates.

Williamson Trade School History

Williamson Trade School History

Pennsylvania photos and documents from Power Library

Isaiah Van Sant Williamson History

Isaiah Van Sant Williamson History

Pennsylvania photos and documents from Power Library

Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL)

Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

The forty member libraries and archives of the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) collect, care for, and share with a world-wide audience collections that, in their depth and variety, comprise an internationally important body of unique materials for students, scholars and lifelong learners at any level.