Washburn Shops, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Mass.
Washburn Shops, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Mass.
Item Information
Title:
Washburn Shops, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Mass.
Description:
A postcard of the Washburn Shops at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts from Institute Road. The Washburn Shops was built in 1868 along with Boynton Hall under the direction of Ichabod Washburn who died two months before completing the building. The building was specifically designed to be used for the practical training of students. The shops were run as a for-profit business with students making most of the products under the supervision of instructors. Types of products produced in the shops included screw machines, lathes, and drills. During the 1950's a 10 Kilowatt atomic reactor was constructed in the building that allowed for the study of the fundamentals of reactor operations. After many renovations, practical training is still the main purpose of the Washburn Shops today, making it the oldest engineering building still used for education.
Is a part of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute History Collection. University Archives and Special Collections, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, George C. Gordon Library, Worcester, Massachusetts. http://www.wpi.edu/+library
