Spring Garden College—founded in 1851 as the Spring Garden Institute—was an American private technical college in the Spring Garden section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1] Its building at 523–25 North Broad Street (demolished) was designed by architect Stephen Decatur Button.
The Broad Street building housed the institute until 1969. The school relocated to 102 East Mermaid Lane at the former Yarnall-Waring Company Machine Works[2] and was renamed Spring Garden College, with bachelor's degree programs being offered for the first time. In 1985 the college moved to 7500 Germantown Avenue in nearby Mt. Airy.[3] Declining enrollment and financial problems forced its closure in 1992.[4]
Prior to its closing, Spring Garden was regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, the Baccalaureate Degree programs in Computer Engineering Technology, Electronics engineering technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology were accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Notable alumni
- Harrison Albright, architect
- Charles Grafly, sculptor
- Hannah Tempest Jenkins, painter
- Eldridge R. Johnson, inventor, founder of Victor Talking Machine Company
- John B. Kelly Sr., building contractor (father of actress Grace Kelly)
- Albert Laessle, sculptor
- Samuel Maclure, architect
- Everett Shinn, painter
- John Sloan, painter
- William South, photographer & inventor
- George Hand Wright, painter
- Ken Wright, racecar driver and mechanic
- August Zeller, sculptor
References
- ↑ Samuel, Terence (August 3, 1992). "3 Communities Feel The Loss of Spring Garden College". Philadelphia Inquirer. p. A01.
- ↑ Gibson, Jane Mork (May 2007). "Yarnall-Waring Company Machine Works". Workshop of the World—Philadelphia. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ↑ "Spring Garden College History". Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ↑ "Spring Garden College Will Close in Fall". Chronicle of Higher Education. July 8, 1992. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
External links
- History of Spring Garden College
- Photo of Trustee's Hall at the Germantown Avenue site
- Spring Garden College informational site
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-1739, "Spring Garden Institute, 523–525 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA", 2 photos, 1 photo caption page