Historic Preservation Woodworking at Pullman Tech Workshop
About Pullman Tech Workshop
Pullman Tech Workshop (PTW) is a workforce development training program focusing on historic preservation woodworking, workforce training, and community development.
Founded in 2001, PTW believes in healing through woodworking, offering hands-on training that empowers individuals and strengthens the community. Based in Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood, the organization provides advanced workforce training, workshops, and transitional employment to educate and inspire the next generation of historic trades workers on Chicago’s South Side.
“We believe in healing through woodworking and have been in operation since 2021.”
— Nick Lubovich, Founder of Pullman Tech Workshop
For more information about PTW and its programs, visit pullmantechworkshop.org.
The Challenge of Historic Preservation Woodworking
As part of its commitment to historic preservation woodworking, PTW needed a safe, reliable, and precise molder to teach students how to produce trim for homes in the Historic Pullman National Park neighborhood. Before acquiring the Williams & Hussey Molder, PTW relied on a modified table saw. This solution was dangerous and lacked the precision needed for historic replication work. The program required a machine that could accommodate custom knives to accurately recreate the intricate details of historic trim profiles.
The Solution
To support PTW’s mission, Williams & Hussey donated a molder to provide a safe and dependable solution for both training and production. The molder’s compatibility with standard and custom knives allowed PTW to develop a library of Chicago Bungalow and Historic Pullman profiles. This approach guarantees historical accuracy. Students now use the molder to produce authentic trim for Pullman porches and restoration projects, getting hands-on experience in historic preservation woodworking and preservation craftsmanship.
Products Used
The Results
Implementing the Williams & Hussey Molder led to significant improvements:​
- Enhanced Safety and Reliability: The molder’s design prioritizes user safety, addressing previous concerns associated with the modified table saw.​
- Increased Precision & Historical Accuracy: The ability to produce accurate trim pieces has elevated the quality of PTW’s projects, particularly in historic preservation efforts.​
- Workforce Development & Social Enterprise Expansion: The molder has been instrumental in training students and launching PTW’s social enterprise, which allows transitional students to gain hands-on work experience producing historic trim while searching for employment.
Customer Testimonial
“The absolute best! Pullman Tech Workshop is in a better place because of the American-made quality of Williams & Hussey. They make ordering new and current profiles so easy.”
— Nick, Founder of Pullman Tech Workshop​
Conclusion
The partnership between Pullman Tech Workshop and Williams & Hussey goes beyond providing equipment; it’s about empowering individuals and communities. By donating a molder, Williams & Hussey has given PTW the tools to train the next generation of woodworking and preservation professionals and create economic opportunities through its social enterprise program.
This collaboration demonstrates the impact of industry support in strengthening community-based programs. It equips individuals with practical skills for meaningful careers while ensuring the architectural heritage of Chicago’s historic neighborhoods is preserved.
The molder’s safety features and precision have enhanced student learning and given them the confidence to pursue careers in the trades. More than just a machine, it represents opportunity, growth, and the power of craftsmanship to uplift a community.
