close

W&J tearing down former physics building

3 min read
article image -

Washington & Jefferson College is taking down its former physics building, which hasn’t been used since 2008, and making it a green space.

The college stopped using Thistle Hall, on West Wheeling Street, after it built Swanson Science Center, which was completed in 2009.

“It was difficult to see a future for it based on what it was used for in the past,” said Dennis McMaster, vice president for business and finance. “It has many issues, but it comes down to it’s the end of its life cycle.”

McMaster said the college plans to begin razing the building in February, which will take six to eight weeks. He said it will turn the land into a green space, and that the overall project will cost about $150,000.

“It gives us an opportunity to create more green space for the campus and the city, as we are in an urban setting,” he said. “We took out everything that would have value and historic value, and some pieces of the exterior.”

Thistle was built in 1912 and housed the physics, meteorology and geology departments, according to William Sheers, a physics professor at W&J. Sheers attended the college as a student in 1967, and came back as an instructor in 1985.

“When I came to W&J, and after looking at other schools and physics departments, it was that building that was why I came here,” Sheers said.

He said the building got its name from a physician with the last name Thistle who donated money to have it built. Sheers said Thistle’s one request for the building was that it be “unadorned” and “purely functional.”

“Thistle looked dated when I arrived,” he said. “It

Thistle was built in 1912 and housed the physics, meteorology and geology departments, according to William Sheers, a physics professor at W&J. Sheers attended the college as a student in 1967, and came back as an instructor in 1985.

“When I came to W&J, and after looking at other schools and physics departments, it was that building that was why I came here,” Sheers said.

He said the building got its name from a physician with the last name Thistle who donated money to have it built. Sheers said Thistle’s one request for the building was that it be “unadorned” and “purely functional.”

“Thistle looked dated when I arrived,” he said. “It

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today