Providence Academy

Dating back to 1873, Providence Academy is one of the most significant structures in the Pacific Northwest, having served as an orphanage and a boarding school operated by the Sisters of Providence.  When the property came onto the market in 2011, The Historic Trust reached out to Jessica’s employer Venerable Group to analyze and make recommendations around feasible new uses for the building. Jessica worked with SERA Architects to define the renovation scope needed to support these uses and to develop a scenario for the full utilization of the site.

In 2018-2019, Jessica was back at Providence Academy acting as owner’s rep for renovations to the building’s major public spaces, including the chapel and ballroom.  Preservation work included plaster restoration, new paint schemes to highlight the building’s unique historic features, and restoring the faux-painted marble on the ballroom columns and the faux wood grain on the chapel alter.  The project also addressed contemporary needs for events and performances including HVAC upgrades, energy-efficient lighting, and new AV systems.

Most recently in 2022, Jessica authored a historic interiors report to document the existing conditions and historic features within the portions of the building not yet renovated.  Hinges, doorknobs, cupboards, and all manner of historic features were catalogued into a detailed matrix. The final report provided treatment and project phasing recommendations for future work that the Trust can pursue as funding allows.

Photos courtesy of Robert Holcomb.