Moving On
Ramada by Wyndham Washington to be sold to Christian school
Mary Sprowls-Harris said it is time to walk away from a business that has been in her family for 60 years – the Ramada by Wyndham Washington – which will cease operations in the near future.
“My family built this hotel,” she said. “I’ve been involved since I was a child. It’s time to retire. We’ve had lots of family members that have worked here, some as partners, some as staff, members helping us, working hand in hand with us. There’s just two of us left. Time is moving us on,” referring to her cousin John Martin and herself, who both serve as the hotel’s managers.
Her mother, Edith Martin Sprowls, and John’s father, Anthony, were among the family members who built and initially operated the hotel.
The 92-room hotel at1170 W. Chestnut St. in North Franklin Township is being sold to Penn Woods Classical Academy (PWCA). Terms of the sale, which is expected to be completed soon, were not disclosed.
PWCA is a pre-K-12 Hillsdale College Member School, the first in Pennsylvania. The school states its mission is to train the mind, improve the heart and nurture the spirit.
“We’re a classical Christian school,” said Dr. Eric Stennett, head of school. “Classical education guides us to a sense of freedom by making us self-reliant and responsible. We study the liberal arts and sciences. It’s more than just preparing for your job, it’s inspiring children to seek knowledge. Classical education has come back to what our Founding Fathers have envisioned for schools and what schools really used to be. We just know it’s going to be something great for kids in the community.”
Sprowls-Harris is happy the building will continue to be used.
“I think it’s wonderful our building will be repurposed and continue to serve the community in another way for years to come,” she said.
Bob Sabot, chairman of the North Franklin Township Board of Supervisors, welcome the addition of the school to the township.
“I think it’s going to be a positive addition to North Franklin Township,” Sabot said. “I’m pleased to see that that section of the township is going to see a revival and a renewal in a different direction. The supervisors got wind of this before Christmas and we are excited to see the future here.”
Sabot said since PWCA is a for-profit enterprise it will remain on the tax rolls.
“I’m not naive to believe it will be on the tax rolls forever,” he said. “The tax base of the township is strong at this point. We’re in a municipality where our revenues are strong and we have over $1 million in the bank at this time. We’re not concerned by it.”
Renovations are expected to begin soon to transform the building perched atop a hill at the junction of Interstates 70 and 79.
“Washington County, specifically (West) Chestnut Street, is just a beautiful site,” Stennett said. “It’s an amazing place. It’s really steeped in tradition with the community. We just feel like we want to continue that idea of community impact. We want to be part of the community. It’s a great location to do that and meet that mission for our school. We’re really excited to offer something for people.”
The goal is to have the school ready to be open for grades pre-K-5 by Sept. 3. PWCA intends to add a grade each year to achieve a pre-K-12 campus by 2031.
Stennett, who worked at the Shaler Area and Hampton school districts after starting his career in Ohio, said students are currently enrolling and faculty is being hired. He added the plan is to move the PWCA offices from the Summerfield Commons Office Park in Upper St. Clair to the West Chestnut Street location by April, if not sooner.
PWCA is a Hillsdale College Member Charter School, which means support is provided by the Hillsdale K-12 Education Office from the school startup phase to ongoing training and support of teachers and staff, to board and leadership development. PWCA will follow Hillsdale College’s American Classical Curriculum and teaching methodology and training and support.
“They provide the curriculum for free,” Stennett said. “In all my years in education, I’ve not seen a curriculum that is as cohesive as theirs.”
Ramada by Wyndham Washington is the longest continuously operating Ramada in the country, opening in 1964.
Sprowls Harris admits to feeling bittersweet about the move, but said so many memories have been made during over six decades of operation.
“We could fill library volumes with stories and our love for all of the family members, team members and guests we’ve served since opening in 1964,” Sprowls-Harris said. “Countless brides and grooms, family and class reunion members have taken cherished photos on the beautiful grand staircase in our hotel lobby. Year after year, family traditions included enjoying our Thanksgiving, Easter and Mother’s Day dinner buffets. Our Oakwood Lounge at the ‘Inn on the Hill,’ as it was called by locals, was one of the most frequented spots in town for decades. Nice people serving nice people was a favorite slogan and mantra of team members and management alike.”