February 19, 2020

Elms College holds dedication of new community and cultural center

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Nick Morganelli

CHICOPEE – The College of Our Lady of the Elms has a new Living-Learning Community and Cultural Center.

The historic Gaylord Mansion, built in 1875, started out as a private residence and has served many purposes over the course of its lifetime. After being utilized by the college as a residence hall and faculty offices, it was vacant for several years and was in need of a complete renovation in order to fulfill the college’s plans.

Dignitaries, supporters, and college administration and staff attended a Feb. 13 ribbon cutting and blessing as Father Mark Stelzer, who teaches at the college, dedicated the new center. “We pray that this will be a place where minds are challenged, where students find rest, and where creativity grows,” he said.

Father Stelzer continued, citing the Book of Wisdom, saying, “It is by wisdom that a house is built, and through knowledge that its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Sister of St. Joseph Carol Allen, director of campus ministry, joined him and others as they blessed a cross and then proceeded to cut the ribbon.

A short program and reception followed inside.

The building has a three-fold purpose. It will be a living-learning space on the top two floors for the post baccalaureate pre-medical program, which includes about 40 students annually. It will also serve as a cultural center for visual and performing arts, not only with college events, but for the greater Chicopee community as well on the first floor. The center will also have rooms suitable for community meetings and small functions for the Pioneer Valley.

“I know they have a jazz fest planned, and academic programming, but we may have our alumni gather here, tours, a dinner, meetings, and other community events in the future,” said Bernadette Nowakowksi, an Elms alumna and currently vice president of institutional advancement.

The alumni often speak of their most cherished experiences at the college, including “having a community of students that can count on each other, that can learn together, study together, and that can go through tough times, as well as good times together,” said Harry Dumay, president of Elms College.

Dumay also told those present at the dedication, “We’re really delighted to complete this project with the tremendous support that we’ve received from the board of trustees, donors, alumni, supporters; and we’re delighted to be a good custodian of it and give it back to the city.”

Through a capital campaign for funding, the mansion has been restored to its former glory, but it has changed a little for the better. The mansion is a mix of old and new, but with character and architecture being preserved. Plumbing and electrical have been modernized as well as bringing the building up to date on current safety codes.

Architect and project manager Andrew Bagge of Kuhnriddle said, “The biggest challenge was integrating the data lines and wiring, and making the upgrades fit with the historical integrity of the building without calling attention to them. We are very proud of the results of this project.”

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.