Students Lead Historic Train Depot Renovation
downtown, education, history, old train depot, revitalization, students, youth,
It’s not unusual for a group to spearhead the renovation of a historic landmark‚ and that’s what’s happening with the Mt. Sterling Chesapeake and Ohio (C & O) Train Depot.
What is unusual is that high school students – members of Future Business Leaders of America and SkillsUSA chapters at Montgomery County Area Technology Center – proposed the project‚ secured the funding and are doing the work.
The students are working with the Montgomery County Tourism Commission and obtained approval from the Mt. Sterling City Council to do the restoration. They also received $153‚000 in state transportation enhancement funds for the project‚ and they’re trying to raise more funds.
The FBLA chapter handles the business side of the project while SkillsUSA uses school time to do the work‚ which includes new plumbing‚ wiring and making it accessible for people with disabilities.
Student Katie Bowles came to tourism commission Director Lynda Wilson with the idea.
“We had the same dream‚” says Wilson‚ who serves as liaison for the project.
“It is very dilapidated. The historical society fixed the roof several years ago‚ but there’s spray paint on the outside‚ the windows are broken‚ there’s water in the basement. It’s in the heart of the downtown area‚ and it needed a lot of care.”
The depot will serve as a welcome center and as a trailhead for Rails to Trails. It also will contain a museum and serve as a meeting space for groups.
“It may take three to four years to complete‚” Wilson says‚ “but it’s going to touch a lot of students’ lives during that time.”
Story by Nancy Humphrey
Photo by Greg Emens
