The Nottingham Mechanics' Institution was founded in 1837 in Nottingham to improve the knowledge of working men with classes and lectures, the provision of libraries, performances of music, drama and readings, and through social contact with a good cross-section of the better educated members of the community.
History
In 1837, John Smith Wright of the Nottingham banking family, decided to form the Mechanics' Institute, modelled on the institutes which were becoming commonplace in other locations in the country. In October 1837 a meeting was held in the Town Hall at Weekday Cross at which 490 supporters put their names towards the scheme. The Institute rented premises at 17 St. James's Street from 1837 to 1845. The committee appointed John Porchett as the Librarian at a yearly salary of 12 guineas. One of the first attractions of membership was free admission to body dissections at Nottingham General Hospital. In 1840, the Institution held the first ever art exhibition in Nottingham which in just 5 months attracted 224,000 visitors. The receipts from admission charges was £2,996.
On 28 January 1845, the Institution opened its own Mechanics' Hall on Milton Street. The architects of the building were Robert Jalland and Thomas Hawksley of Middle Pavement. By this stage the library of the Institution contained some 40,000 volumes. Charles Dickens appeared at the Mechanics' Institute on 21 October 1858 and read his Christmas Carol.
Fire of 1867
A fire on 14 March 1867 caused much damage, including the loss of the organ which had been installed in 1847. The Institute claimed £3,950 on the insurance. £2,200 was paid off the mortgage on the building, and a public appeal raised £2,579.
New building of 1869
A new hall with double the seating capacity of the old hall was designed by Thomas Simpson and opened on 19 January 1869. The new hall was, and. It had a floor-space of. It was lit by five clusters of 81 gas jets. Famous people who came to speak or perform at the Mechanics include: from Literature: Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Anthony Trollope, Jerome K Jerome, Wilkie Collins, GK Chesterton and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Explorers: HM Stanley, Captain Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Edward Whymper. From the theatre and silver screen: Dame Anna Neagle. Entertainment was provided by Madame Tussaud and her Waxworks, Tom Thumb and the operatic diva Jenny Lind. Whilst from Egyptology came Sir Flinders Petrie and Arthur Weigall. In 1912 the adjacent Mansfield Road Baptist Church was purchased and converted into a lecture hall.
Birkbeck House 1964
In 1964 the Mechanics' Institution decided to redevelop the building on the same site. The stone façade of the 1845 building was exported by an American and re-erected as his Californian hunting lodge. The new building was called Birkbeck House and cost around £750,000. The Mechanics' used the first floor and rented out the rest of the building to tenants. At the opening in April 1966 the Mechanics was described thus: "It has survived because it has adapted itself to changing circumstances in this modern age and has at the same time preserved all the best traditions of the past". Facilities provided included: the Members' Lounge, Restaurant, Buttery, Library & Quiet Room, Billiard Room, Card Room, Chess Room and Activities Room.
North Sherwood Street 2003
In 2003 the Mechanics' Institution moved again to a new home on North Sherwood Street, and Birkbeck House was demolished and the site used for retail and housing.
