THE Mechanics’ Institute of 1870 had a predecessor in the shape of this pleasant little building in North Street, built in 1834 to accommodate a library, classes and lectures.
Older readers may remember this as seen here, as the old Yorkshire Penny Bank.
The Keighley Mechanics’ Institute had been founded in 1825 as “a society for mutual instruction”.
Its earlier facilities and activities had, of necessity, to rely on hired rooms in the National School, the Free Grammar School and the Wesleyan Sunday School, but here at last was Keighley’s first permanent library and reading-room, although its librarian was also expected to “erect the stage” and “attend at the door” for lectures.
These could include more popular offerings, like the visit of a “New Zealand chief” and “Mrs Crowther’s Performance on Musical Glasses”!
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