1837 - Mechanics Institution - Wilsden, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 49.429 W 001° 51.653
30U E 574981 N 5964520
The Mechanics Institution has a date stone at the top of the building above the entrance.
Waymark Code: WMV4JW
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/22/2017
Views: 0
The institution's purpose was to provide a venue for self- help classes and educational opportunities for working people.
Mechanics’ Institutes were pioneers in further education, established to further understanding of technical and scientific subjects through a lecture and night school approach.
These days the building has been converted into 3 houses. It became a Historic England Grade II Listed Building in 1975, when at that time it was restaurant.
"Mechanics Institute now restaurant. Dated 1837. Hammer-dressed
stone, Welsh blue-slate roof. 2 storeys to front and left-hand
return, 3 storeys to right-hand return. 3-bay symmetrical facade.
Doorway with monolithic jambs, consoles and cornice has Gothic glazed
overlight. Set above is plaque engraved
'MECHANICS
INSTITUTION
1837'
To either side on both floors a window with projecting sill. Moulded
stone gutter. Hipped roof. Right-hand return of 6 bays with 3 cottage
doorways set in basement and single-light and 2-light windows to each
floor.
Formerly had a library of 4,000 volumes, with a lecture room (now
ballroom) and museum.
Kellys Directory - West Yorkshire, (1907), p109."
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