The York Mechanics' Institute was founded in 1827 to "deliver scientific lectures to the middle and lower classes". It failed to fire the public imagination, and in an effort to attract more attendees changed it's name in 1898 to the Institute for Popular Science & Literature, and altered it's remit to include more topics focussed around the arts. From 1893 to 1927 York City Library was housed in a portion of this building. The library was York's contribution to Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations, (not that she had much time for York but that is a story for another day). It is a handsome Grade II listed building and now home to The Gallery Nightclub and the York Dungeon visitor experience.
Hmm. "York Dungeon Visitor Experience." Sounds perfect for gullible Yankees.
ReplyDeleteI think I prefer it as the Institute for Popular Science and Literature. I always try to avoid anything described as a visitor experience.
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