Mechanics' Institutes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Historically, Mechanics' Institutes were educational establishments formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. As such, they were often funded by local industrialists on the grounds that they would ultimately benefit from having more knowledgeable and skilled employees (such philanthropy was shown by, among others, Robert Stephenson, James Nasmyth and Joseph Whitworth). The Mechanics' Institutes were used as 'libraries' for the adult working class, and provided them with an alternative pastime to gambling and drinking in pubs.
The first institute was established in Glasgow in 1821, some 20 years after George Birkbeck had first instituted free lectures on arts, science and technical subjects.
The London Mechanics' Institute (later Birkbeck College) followed in 1823, and the Mechanics' Institute in Manchester (later to become UMIST) in 1824.[1] By the mid 19th century, there were over 700 institutes in towns and cities across the UK and overseas.
In Australia, for example, the first Mechanics' Institute appeared in Hobart in 1827, followed by the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts in 1833, Newcastle School of Arts in 1835, then the Melbourne Mechanics' Institute established in 1839 (renamed The Melbourne Athenaeum in 1873). From the 1850s, Mechanics' Institutes quickly spread throughout Victoria wherever a hall, library or school was needed. Over 1200 Mechanics' Institutes were built in Victoria but just over 500 remain today, and only six still operate their lending library services.[2]
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[edit] Existing Mechanics' Institutes
There are 1000's of Mechanics' Institutes which are still operating throughout the world. Some as libraries, parts of universities or adult education facilities, theatres, cinemas, museums, recreational facilities or community halls.
Australia
- Ballarat Mechanics' Institute
- Briagolong Mechanics' Institute
- Kilmore Mechanics' Institute & Free Library
- Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria
- Mechanics' Institute, Sorrento
- Prahran Mechanics' Institute
- Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts
Canada
- Atwater Library of the Mechanics' Institute, Montreal, Quebec
USA
- General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York
- Mechanics' Institute, San Francisco, California
[edit] Historical Mechanics' Institutes
- Toronto, Canada
- Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
- Swindon, UK, Mechanics' Institute
- Lutterworth, UK
- Eyam, UK
- Essex, UK
- Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Rochester, NY, USA renamed to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 1944
- Leeds Mechanics' Institute (West Yorkshire) designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, will house Leeds City Museum to open in August 2008[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Kidd, Alan J. (1993). Manchester (Town and city histories). Manchester: Ryburn, pp 57-8. ISBN 1-85331-016-6.
- ^ Lowden, Bronwyn (2007). Mechanics' Institutes, Schools of Arts, Athenaeums, etc.: An Australian Checklist. Donvale, Australia: Lowden Publishing Co., pp 44-79. ISBN 978-1-920753-07-8.
