Art education, Columns, Porticoes (Porches), Shrubs, Shutters, Windows, Old Fine Arts Center (ca.1875-1986)
The Old Fine Arts Building was originally constructed in the 1870's as a family dwelling. It was purchased in 1931, along with nineteen other properties located on the same city block, by Michael Bond Rich of Woolrich Mills, the former President of the Board of Directors of Williamsport Dickinson Junior College. The property was donated to the college for future expansion. Five buildings were left standing when the other properties were razed in 1939. One of those was remodeled for the President's home, and the other four were remodeled for the Fine Arts Center. The building was painted white, green shutters were hung, the eaves were cut back, a new roof was put on, and eighteen-foot colonial columns were erected for the front, which faced the center of the campus. The Fine Arts Center, consisting of eighteen rooms, was opened to the public in 1940. A plaque inside the portico in the front of the building read: 'This Fine Arts Building and President's residence were made possible by the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. William Fleming Rich and Family.' 'Widemire, Williamsport, PA' is stamped on the back.