A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
Hutchinson-Central Technical High School, known to Buffalonians as "Hutch-Tech," was founded in 1904 under the name Mechanics Arts High School and was housed in several locations around Buffalo until it relocated to this current site on South Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. The building has served as a learning facility for students interested in building design and construction, commercial art, engineering, machine design and electrical careers. Portions of the "H" shaped structure were remodeled and repainted in 2007. The Buffalo public high school requires an entrance exam for admission.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The five-story brick-and-masonry Gothic Revival-style Hutchinson Central School was built in 1913 in the shape of an "H," some say to honor the Hutchinson family, which donated the land for the building. City Honors, Grover Cleveland, Hutchinson Central and South Park were all built within a year or two.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A light fixture on the old main entrance of the school on South Elmwood Avenue, which has 1,200 students. An admissions exam is required for enrollment.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A relief tile displaying u201cHSu201d protected by two dragons is part of the masonry in the auditorium.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The name of the school on the front entrance. u201cI love the building,u201d said Paul McDonnell, director of facilities planning, design and construction for the Buffalo Public Schools, who chairs the cityu2019s Historic Preservation Board.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The school's main entrance off Elmwood Avenue. u201cWe have so many beautiful marble features throughout the building, especially in the main entrance way, and the most gorgeous wood, particularly in the doorways when you come in,u201d said Peter LoJacono, a veteran Hutch Tech teacher.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The original ceiling in the auditorium, a beautiful display of stained-glass and light, was uncovered beneath an ordinary white suspended ceiling during the 2007 reconstruction.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The ceiling in the auditorium.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The ceiling in the auditorium. u201cWe have so many beautiful marble features throughout the building, especially in the main entrance way, and the most gorgeous wood, particularly in the doorways when you come in,u201d said Peter LoJacono, a veteran Hutch Tech teacher. u201cThe auditorium is a masterpiece.u201d
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Teachers at a staff meeting in the auditorium. u201cThe auditorium is a masterpiece,u201d says Peter LoJacono, a veteran Hutch Tech teacher.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The ceiling in the auditorium. u201cItu2019s absolutely beautiful,u201d said teacher Peter LoJacono said. u201cWhy they would have covered it up, I have no idea.u201d
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The ceiling in the auditorium.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Old plaque telling visitors where to enter.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A ramp-like footbridge was installed near the cafeteria to improve the traffic flow of students changing classes. The 2007 reconstruction showed you could take a 100-year-old building and turn it into a 21st Century learning environment, McDonnell said.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The recently remodeled gym (2007) that used to be an exterior courtyard changed the way the interior is used. The original "H"-shaped design worked well filling in one of parts of the letter H.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The recently remodeled gym that used to be an exterior courtyard prior to 2007. Sports teams are called "The Engineers at Hutch-Tech, which offers four engineering majors.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The recently remodeled gym with its regulation-size basketball court was an exterior courtyard prior to 2007.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Stairwell in the storied building.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
First Class Stationary building engineer Josh walks up a flight.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Old stairways have seen many shoes from students for over a century.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The cafeteria food selection area. This was added during the 2007 remodel.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Gargoyles on the walls inside the entrance.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A 1913 stone shield saved from an exterior demolition was saved and repurposed and hangs on a wall inside the modern cafeteria.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Window doorway detail near the main foyer.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The library offers a simple message.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The library is bright and clean and ready for single researchers or groups.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
An original bookshelf blends in well with the new features in the school library.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The library has plenty of sitting areas.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A plaque in a hallway honors alumnus Marine Lance Corporal Howard S. March, Jr., 20, who was killed in Iraq on Sept. 24, 2006. March was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp LeJeune, N.C. He was killed while conducting combat operations in Taqaddum, Iraq.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The flag at the school.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A tradition: Each senior class has a spot with a mural where students get to sign a brick. Staffers there claim that so many classes have passed through these halls that they're running out of space.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A 1911 plaque in a hallway commemorates the departure in May 1861 of the 21st Regulars to serve in Union Army in the Civil War with flag made for them by pupils of the Central High School of Buffalo.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The Main Office and waiting room decorated with "Make-A-Wish" stars from student and faculty donations pinned to the wall.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A suggestion box near the Main Office and waiting room decorated with "Make-A-Wish" stars from student and faculty donations pinned to the wall.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Portraits of former principals are many. The newest start from the left.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Portraits of former principals are many. The newest start from the left.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A walk-around bridge hallway connects wings around the gym area.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A walk-around bridge hallway connects wings around the gym area.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Solar panels line the roof for good energy practices and education opportunities.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Solar panels line the roof for good energy practices and education opportunities.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The band room has produced many a fine musician.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The recently remodeled gym that used to be an exterior courtyard still displays the original walls of the exterior of the building.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Since the school prides itself on technical education, parts of the visible plumbing and electrical conduits are clearly labeled, offering students a learning opportunity.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Hutchinson Central Technical School on South Elmwood Ave, in Buffalo.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Ceiling in the Main entrance of the school.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A plaque honoring teacher Mary Lovejoy in a hallway.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The school's motto u201cSkill, Knowledge, Poweru201d has always been the same and is displayed in several locations of the school, including this one in the auditorium.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Another banner poster in the auditorium gives a similar message.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A plaque honoring the heroes of "The World War" in a hallway.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A plaque honoring Principal Frederick A. Vogt, an early celebrated educator at the school until 1919.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A hallway on the first floor.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The checkerboard hallways loved by some, ridiculed by others.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
Checkerboard-style tiles are all over the schoolu2019s hallways.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
First Class Stationary building engineer Josh Adamsky stands by one of the four giant natural gas-fired steam heat boilers that warm the school in the cold months. They were manufactured in 1978 and installed shortly after.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
A boxer's speed bag hangs near an important message in the school's weight room.
A Closer Look: Hutch-Tech High School
The recently remodeled gym that used to be an exterior courtyard prior to 2007.
In this Series
Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures
This series has taken Buffalo News photographers inside, outside, above and, on occasion, underneath local landmarks and to places most people…
