About Master Builders’ Institute
The Master Builders’ Institute has been established as the educational branch of the Company, creating a way to engage the region’s design, construction, and educational community as well as students interested in a career in design and construction. Their primary initiative is outreach to local schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Through their focus on outreach and education, they hope to serve the community, advance the built environment, attract talented students to design and construction and provide exposure for the Company and its mission.
As one of America’s oldest trade associations, GBCA (General Building Contractors Association) advances the union commercial, industrial, and institutional construction industry in the Philadelphia region by serving members as the industry leader in in labor relations, education, advocacy, safety, marketing, and networking opportunities.
The Carpenters’ Company is the oldest active guild in the United States, dating back to its inception in 1724. The Company originally consisted of carpenters, who were the Master Builders (craftsmen) of their day. Today, The Company’s members consist of Builders, Architects, and Structural Engineers; the Master Builders of today in the built environment. The Company owns and maintains Carpenters’ Hall and host their Bi-Annual Gala and Master Builders Dialogues. They also fund the yearly award of Scholarships and provides outreach and exposure for our professions.
Historians have a tendency to remember battle dates and elections while forgetting the people who actually created a civilization. Our Master Builders, largely unknown today, were not quoted in newspapers and their portraits were not painted for posterity.
— Charles E. Peterson