Brothers Holohan, White, Marx and yours truly.

JohnNY

When the Revolutionary War ended, there were still many British servicemen and diplomats still living in New York City along with their families. When the last of the British finally left, the city was still in ruins. A major shipping hub and finance capital, the city had to be fixed, and quickly.
Enter a determined group of skilled tradesmen and artisans who got together and in 1785 officially formed the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. Their mission was plain. They were to provide trade education and apprenticeships for those willing to work in the trades and to help provide care for the many widows and orphans left in the wake of The War. The newly educated tradespeople would be key players in the rebuilding of New York City and the neighboring states would follow.
Fast forward to current day, the General Society still provides free education to students who have entered the trades and are sponsored to receive instruction in plumbing, electrical, drafting, historical preservation, construction project management and other programs.
For sworn members of the G.S.M.T., Dan Holohan gave one of his last steam seminars at the Society's magnificent building a block away from New York's Grand Central Station last year. The building was funded by a very grateful Andrew Carnegie for just under $500,000 well over a century ago and is now listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. So taken with his passion for retelling the history and significance of steam heating in our country, the Society invited Mr. Holohan to sign his name in the same book signed by every member since 1785. This invitation and solemn swearing-in ceremony declared him a lifelong member of this 231-year-old benevolent society. It is a tremendous honor and a great privilege to be trusted to help keep the organization going in the direction it has been for so many generations.
Dan asked me to work with him in solving the building's incredibly costly steam heating problems. Due to lack of funding in recent years, the Paul System fell into a terrible state of disrepair. The boilers were decommissioned decades ago and the system was connected to NYC's municipal steam supply. With all proceeds taken in by the Society going to free eduction and little-to-none going to infrastructure repairs, the non-profit's eighteen thousand dollar ($18,000) monthly heating bill was no longer a sustainable situation. We brought the system in by the reigns again and it is purring along smoothly as of this past month. Dan Holohan will speak to our methods in detail in an upcoming article that I hope you will enjoy.
For these and some other volunteered efforts, I'm honored to say that on November 2, 2015, I was granted the same privilege of membership along with famed architect Peter Pennoyer, and signed the book listing our names among every other member since the year 1785.

Luckily, The Society received some other generous donations including the uncommon wiring and control skills of Alex "Wire Nut" Marx, who is currently rewiring the display cases of the GSMT's most treasured artifacts along with the field modifications he made to keep the city steam supply under control by re-purposing existing controls in a way that is more efficient and effective than Dan and other members and I thought possible. Alex is a hydronics controls savant and it is fascinating to watch him work.
The generosity of Taco's and Johnny White's donations and access to his engineering team allowed for us to develop a system to reclaim a great deal of energy that is typically lost by heating a building with city (district) steam. That previously lost energy now heats the building's domestic hot water for free.

Days ago, by the recommendation of the Board of Governors of the GSMT, on the 1st anniversary of my swearing in, Mr. John Hazen White and Mr. Alex Marx were also sworn in as members of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen.
I congratulate both of my new trade Brothers and cannot thank them and Dan Holohan enough for allowing me to share in such a unique and rewarding life experience with the finest people I know in this industry.
I know we all also want to thank the Society's Executive Director, Victoria Dengel, and President Gerard Drohan, for their confidence in us.

Thank you for reading this. It's a proud time for us.

Bob Bona_4

Impressive! Congratulations, all!

DanHolohan

Well said, Brother John. Thanks. Here's a pic of Andrew Carnegie's signature in the same book. He listed his profession as Cotton Spinner. That was his first job as a lad.

Erin Holohan Haskell

Congratulations!

EBEBRATT-Ed

Job well done!! Congratulations to all!!

Hilly

Congratulations Dan. I cannot wait to hear about what went on in that building.

New England SteamWorks

Very nice posting @JohnNY. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. A fine and rewarding read.

VictoriaDengel

Thank you Brother Cataneo for this wonderful article.

When Dan Holohan crossed the threshold of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen, it was a transformative moment in the annals of General Society history. He is: a great man. Many riches have emanated from Dan's presence--it's akin to striking a vein of gold. The greatest gift of which is, the people that we have come to know, yourself included, through knowing Brother Holohan. The stories could fill pages.

Bros. Holohan, Cataneo, Marx and White embody all that The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen has stood for during its 231-year existence. It is a privilege to know each of them and work with them in support of the mission of the Society.

DanHolohan

It's a joy working you, Sister Victoria. Thanks.

Tim McElwain

Congratulations to some amazing people. It sure is a privilege to know all of you.

RayWohlfarth

Wow So cool Imagine future generations looking at the building Congrats to all of you

hot_rod

What a nice legacy for all, y-all. Congratulations

Mark Eatherton

Congratulations to all in this endeavor. I am humbled and happy to say I consider each one of these folks as good friends. Carry on gentlemen. Society appreciates your contributions.

ME

JohnNY

Good friends indeed.
Thank you, Mark.

DanHolohan

Thanks, my friends.

The Wire Nut

Well said John! Thank you Brother's Dan and John for the opportunity and honor of letting me contribute in a small way to the preservation and continuation of this noble and venerable institution. It's not only a great honor to work along side both Dan and John (the "Steam Team"!) on these important projects but it was almost overwhelming to be made a member alongside so many august fellow brothers and sisters going back over 230 years.

I would also like to thank Sister Victoria Dengel whose grace, charm, wit and intelligence not only make what we do a reward rather than a labor and whose presence, hard work and diligence is so important to the Society's well being, continuing legacy and its collegial and welcoming atmosphere.

Steamhead

No one deserves this more than you all.

Mad Dog_2

Holy Cow! Just saw this thread. EXTREMELY proud of all of you and to count you'll as old friends.....don't think there is a higher honor in the Industry......Well done boys. Drinks on me next time...drinks all around! OUTSTANDING. You should all get Sir Before your name....Mad Dog

icy78

I really have no right (knowledge-wise) to comment on this, but I find it so interesting that I have to say congrats, and thanks for posting it!

developergirl

Hello! Probably only the second time in my life to post a comment! John, your narrative is brilliant and to say thank you to you, Brother Holohan and Brother White for what you've done for us at the Society could never be enough!! I am going to share the narrative and pictures with all of the people with whom I've discussed our great GSMT! Cheers! Sister Fogliano

DanHolohan

Thank you, Sister. And congratulations on getting your own day in Westchester County history!