The Jaybird Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the students and faculty from Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment for an incredible Spring 2026 semester of collaboration, creativity, and community engagement.
Throughout the semester, students partnered with Jaybird Foundation to explore adaptive reuse opportunities for the historic Derrick Casselberry House as well as several surrounding historic properties within Evansburg State Park. Their work demonstrated not only technical skill and thoughtful research, but also a deep understanding of how historic preservation can strengthen communities and create meaningful spaces for future generations.
Over the course of the partnership, students conducted extensive mapping and research on the Evansburg Historic District, participated in community presentations, and developed impressive 3D models, renderings, and conceptual plans for a variety of historic sites. Their work included concepts for the Derrick Casselberry House and property, as well as ideas for the Changing House, Freidt Visitor Center, Keyser Mill and surrounding property, and the McDonald Farm within Evansburg State Park.
What made this partnership especially exciting was the creativity and range of adaptive reuse ideas students explored. Concepts included restaurants, bed and breakfasts, museums, maker studios, cultural centers, wellness spas, skate centers, and other innovative community-centered uses. Each idea highlighted the incredible potential these historic properties hold for connection, education, tourism, recreation, and economic development.
This partnership represented more than just a classroom project. It was an opportunity to test new ideas, engage the community in conversations about preservation, and create a collaborative learning experience where everyone involved learned from one another. We are incredibly grateful to the students for their passion, professionalism, and willingness to think boldly about the future of these spaces.
At Jaybird Foundation, we believe the future of historic preservation depends on partnerships like these, workforce development opportunities, and bringing together students, professionals, community members, and organizations to imagine what is possible while honoring the stories of the past.
Thank you again to Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment for an outstanding Spring 2026 semester. We are excited to continue building this partnership and look forward to seeing where these talented students go next.