Spotlight on the Manual Arts Building
The historic Manual Arts Building on TCC’s Metro Campus has been a part of Tulsa education for a full century.
The Manual Arts Building, located along Cincinnati Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets at TCC’s Metro Campus, was designed in 1924 by architect Leland I. Shumway (1891–1969) for Tulsa Public Schools. Built in the Gothic Revival style, it was dedicated on Labor Day, September 7, 1925. Originally called the Manual Arts Building—and later renamed the Industrial Arts Building—it provided hands-on training in drafting, auto repair, woodworking, welding, photography, airplane mechanics, machinery, seismography, electronics, and more. As newer and larger educational facilities were constructed outside downtown Tulsa, the building was eventually closed. In 1976, Tulsa Junior College (TJC) purchased and remodeled it, reopening it as the Metro Campus student center. The project earned the college two national awards for creative renovation of a historic building.
1924 Construction began on the Manual Arts Building at a cost of $164,605.
1925 Dedicated on Labor Day, September 7, to prepare high school students for industrial, mechanical, and craft-based careers.
1975 Closed as newer educational facilities were built outside downtown Tulsa.
1976 Purchased by Tulsa Junior College from Tulsa Public Schools for $225,000.
1977 Reopened as a newly remodeled student center for the Metro Campus.
1980 Received two national awards for creative renovation as a “recycled” building.
Click on the photo below or this link to view 100 years of photographs and clippings.
Click the image below or on this link to learn about the architecture of the Manual Arts Building.
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