Colleagues,
We are pleased to share this Metal Fabrication students at Whittier Tech in Haverhill, who experienced a highly unusual journey back in time to recreate a Colonial Candle Holder exactly 50 years later!!
David
RECREATING HISTORY: METAL FAB STUDENTS REVIVE COLONIAL CANDLE HOLDER BLUEPRINT
Pictured holding the candle holders, left-to-right: Garrett Bailey (Amesbury), Ava Carr (Haverhill), Ash Keith (Haverhill), Duggan Walsh (Haverhill), and Metal Fab instructor Chris Gerber
In the bustling Welding shop, yesterday marked an unexpected journey into the past for a group of Metal Fabrication students. As they undertook the mundane task of shifting an old file cabinet to accommodate an upcoming project, they stumbled upon a hidden treasure—a dusty blueprint peeking out from beneath the cabinet’s base. Little did they know, this discovery would lead them on an inspiring journey through time.
The blueprint, dated March 1st, 1974, revealed the intricate design of a "Colonial Candle Holder," meticulously drawn by a W. A. Logan. Excited by their find, the Metal Fabrication students wasted no time sharing their discovery with the rest of the class, igniting a spark of curiosity and creativity among their peers.
The original blueprint
Realizing the significance of preserving this piece of history, the Metal Fabrication students reached out to their counterparts in CAD/Drafting, requesting a photocopy of the blueprint to safeguard its integrity for future generations. With the blueprint in hand, the stage was set for an extraordinary
endeavor—a journey back in time to recreate the Colonial Candle Holder exactly 50 years later.
Today, on March 1st, 2024, amidst an atmosphere charged with anticipation and nostalgia, the metal fabrication students unveiled their masterpiece—the faithful recreation of the Colonial Candle Holder under the guidance of instructor Chris Gerber. For juniors Garrett Bailey and Duggan Walsh, this project held a significance beyond measure.
"This was a fun project," remarked Mr. Gerber, reflecting on the experience. "Recreating it on the same date 50 years later made it more special."
A slight modification had to be made where the candle is inserted but the rest of the design is from the original blueprint.
Garrett Bailey, from Amesbury, echoed Gerber’s sentiment, highlighting the joy of applying his learned skills to breathe life into a piece of history. "My favorite part of this was being able to use my skills that I have learned to recreate something old," Bailey shared.
Duggan Walsh, hailing from Haverhill, found delight in the traditional techniques employed during the fabrication process. "I really liked using oxygen acetylene torches to heat up the parts to bend," Walsh expressed, underscoring the hands-on craftsmanship that defined this project.
As the Colonial Candle Holder stood proudly in the workshop, a tangible testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of these students, plans were set in motion to ensure its legacy endures. Alongside the original blueprint, a copy of this article will be carefully preserved in the same file cabinet where it was discovered, bearing a label that reads "Open March 1st, 2074." In doing so, the torch is passed to future generations of Whittier students, inviting them to embark on their own journey through time and craftsmanship.
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira