Darlington Mechanics Institute

Darlington Mechanics Institute is a large, imposing building at 82 Skinnergate in Darlington in the North East of England. Mechanics' Institutes were introduced in 1821 to help the working class educate themselves, giving access to newspapers and books.

The design of the building is attributed by English Heritage to William Richardson and John Ross, both born in 1836 and apprenticed to Joshua Sparkes . However, a book of original architectural designs in Darlington Library includes Sparkes's original design for the institute, alongside designs by Richardson and Ross dated 1851, when they were only 15. The foundation stone was laid 12 May 1853 by Elizabeth Pease of Feethams, whose £400 donation was the largest received towards the building's £2,300 cost. It was officially opened on 1 September 1854 by Elizabeth and her new husband, John Pringle Nichol, who she had married ten days after laying the foundation.

Wikipedia