At the historic Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio, an innovative partnership is shaping the future of construction trades. The Fort Hayes Career Center Programs are providing high school students with unique, hands-on experience in historic preservation, ensuring these vital skills are passed down to the next generation. In collaboration with Columbus Landmarks and supported by a grant from the Ann Sherry Foundation, students are transforming the 1863 military center’s gatehouse into a living laboratory for preservation carpentry and beyond.
Inside the unheated, yet historically rich, gatehouse, students from Fort Hayes Career Center are immersed in real-world restoration work. Guided by experts like restoration specialist Lindsay Jones and construction carpentry teacher Matthew Blake, these young learners aren’t just reading textbooks; they are actively engaged in uncovering the secrets and techniques of historic structures. Dressed in work gear, they tackle tasks from inspecting roofs for water damage and structural discrepancies to carefully stripping lead paint and uncovering original flooring.
Alt text: Fort Hayes Career Center students in fluorescent vests and hard hats examining the historic gatehouse roof for damage as part of their preservation program.
The essence of the Fort Hayes Career Center programs extends beyond just learning construction skills. It’s about understanding the nuances of historic buildings. As Lindsay Jones explains, “The dimensions of lumber are different in old buildings. The spacing of joists is different. Everything is just a little bit different.” This hands-on approach within the Fort Hayes Career Center programs ensures students appreciate these distinctions and learn methods that respect the integrity of older structures, rather than simply discarding them.
Matthew Blake emphasizes the practical application of their learning, stating, “A lot of times you can turn those notes into reports that you can give to a client and make money. Paperwork gets you paid.” This real-world focus is a cornerstone of the Fort Hayes Career Center programs, preparing students for immediate employment in the construction arts upon graduation.
Columbus Landmarks plays a crucial role in this educational endeavor. Susan Keeny, the preservation director, highlights the growing need for skilled tradespeople in historic restoration within Columbus. “The contractors that we work with say they could take on more work if there were more people they could hire,” she notes. The Fort Hayes Career Center programs are strategically designed to address this skills gap, offering a pipeline of trained professionals ready to meet the demands of the historic preservation sector. With traditional preservation apprenticeships becoming increasingly scarce, the programs at Fort Hayes are vital in preserving and passing on this specialized knowledge.
Alt text: Students in Fort Hayes Career Center’s historic preservation program using infrared heat gun to safely remove lead paint from the gatehouse beadboard.
The curriculum within the Fort Hayes Career Center programs is designed to be comprehensive and collaborative. While carpentry students are at the forefront of the gatehouse restoration, plans are in place to involve students from electrical, HVAC, and masonry classes, creating a holistic learning environment. This interdisciplinary approach mirrors the complexities of real-world restoration projects, where various trades must work in concert.
For students like Alow Manyi, 17, the initial challenges of dirty and demanding work quickly transformed into a passion for bringing history back to life. “It’s really amazing what you can bring to life with your hands,” she shares, encapsulating the rewarding nature of the Fort Hayes Career Center programs and the profound impact of learning historic preservation. The program not only imparts valuable skills but also instills a deep appreciation for history and craftsmanship, ensuring that Columbus’s architectural heritage is preserved for future generations through the dedicated efforts of Fort Hayes Career Center programs graduates.
