THE BELFAST MECHANICS' INSTITUTE

 

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"Belfast Mechanics' Institute - Established May, 1825, Queen-street, where a handsome building is intended to be erected for lecture-room, laboratory, and apparatus room, &c. The object of this institution is to furnish tradesmen, apprentices, and others, with opportunities of studying Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and such branches as are applied to the useful arts. It contains an excellent and well selected library. Monthly meetings have been established amongst the members, for the purpose of reading original essays, papers on scientific subjects, &c. Subscription, 12s. per annum..."

 

[Source: Belfast Directory, 1831]

 


 

INAUGURAL MEETING, 1825

 

On Monday, the 21st of  March 1825, there was a public meeting held in Belfast at the Exchange regarding the establishment in the town of an “Institution for affording to Mechanics and Artisans the means of scientific instruction at a cheap rate”   It was resolved to establish a Society for the purpose and for it to be designated The Belfast Mechanics' Institute.

 

Trustees (for Life)

 

John M’CANCE Esq.

Wm. TENNENT Esq.

Robert GRIMSHAW Esq.

Joseph STEVENSON Esq.

John BARNETT, Esq.

 

Directors, Non –Operatives (first 4 to retire annually)

 

Professor THOMSON

Mr John BARNETT

Rev. T.D. HINCKS

Dr. YOUNG

Mr Alexander COLEMAN

Mr Robert GRIMSHAW

Mr Robert BRADSHAW

Rev. R.J. BRYCE

 

Operatives (First 8 to retire annually)

 

W. HEWITT, Founder

W. BLOOMFIELD, Tinsmith

J. BRYAN, Watchmaker

R. HERBERT, Machinemaker

H. ANDERSON, Printer

W. ORR, Smith

J. GRAY, Watchmaker

S. PEARCE, Founder

L.M. HOPE, Printer

H. SEARSON, Bookbinder

W. COLE, Gunsmith

J. DAVIS, Carder

J. PETRIE, Confectioner

H. MUNRO, Chandler

J. BELL, Engraver

W. BELL, Machinemaker

 

Secretary -  Mr Samuel ARCHER, High-street

Treasurer - Mr John THOMSON, Castle-street.

 

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Transcribed by Lyn Nunn 12 July 2008

 

Extracted from “Constitution and Laws of Belfast Mechanics Institute 1825” in Problems of a Growing City: Belfast 1780-1870, PRONI, Belfast, 1973, pp. 80-81.