Talking to the Wares about The
Ware
P
Paul and Judy Ware walked in with big smiles for their interview at The Ware Center at 42 N. Prince Street in downtown Lancaster. They had reason to smile, as they were recently recognized for their contributions to the community by having Millersville University’s newest facility named after them, and they were sitting in Judy’s favorite room in the building, the Grand Salon. “I love to see the city from this perspective,” said Judy Ware, looking through the expanse of windows onto Prince Street towards Lancaster’s Central Market. “There isn’t another view like it in the city.” The Ware Center, which was originally built for the Pennsylvania Academy of Music, was acquired by the state on behalf of Millersville in July 2010. The naming ceremony took place on September 12, 2011. “Since the naming of the building, we’ve had so many people come up and congratulate us,” said Paul. “People were excited for us and for themselves. They are so happy that the uncertainty with the building is over, that as Lancastrians, there is now something predictable here—a building for the community and for learning. “We are interested in lifelong learning,” said Judy. “The night of the naming, when we moved from the hall to the atrium, we walked past the library and there were students having a lecture. That was so great—walking by an event that involved students and learning—it was very meaningful. We had good vibes the night of the naming, but we continue to get comments and emails from people.” Paul Ware’s favorite room in The Ware Center is Steinman Hall. “When we planned the building, the hall was the
38 Why We Give Winter 2011-12
Center
most important room. But the Grand Salon is definitely my second favorite, and the atrium is my third favorite. Did you know the atrium was originally going to be an open patio? We got grant money to enclose it with the great dome.” “This is architect Philip Johnson’s last performing hall before his death,” said Paul. “I got to meet him at his office in New York when he was 95—and still very sharp. He had this beautiful wooden carved desk with nothing on it. Younger people would bring in papers, he would look at them, make comments—and corrections—then they would take the papers away and he would have a clean desk again. We had this building designed so the lines of it would align with the Fulton Opera House. We wanted to keep the scale of buildings on Prince Street correct—it couldn’t be too big or too small, or it would have stuck out like a sore thumb.” The Wares first got involved with the building project at 42 N. Prince because of the late Caroline “Carrie” Steinman Nunan, for whom Steinman Hall is named. Her dream was to bring activity to downtown Lancaster. “We wanted to see this be an active center,” said Paul. “I was reared that giving is what you do—it’s important to give back. My parents were both involved in the community and were very active with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. My philosophy is, if you’re blessed with time, talent and treasure, you should share it. This was instilled in me at a very early age.” Judy grew up in a family of volunteers. “The volunteer part was natural. I had more opportunities to give when I married Paul. That was new to me, but it is so worth it. We have children and grandchildren who live in Lancaster. We understand that a project like this elevates the quality of life