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The Mechanics Institute, Eyam
According to White's History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Derby, 1857, the Mechanics' Institute was established in Eyam 1824, together with a Subscription Library, which then contained 766 volumes. In 1857 there were 30 members, each paying 3d. (just over 1p) a month. William Wood, author of the History and Antiquities of Eyam, was the librarian. This library was also visited by William Elliott of Foolow in 1840, who described it as: ‘glorious institution for those d---md wild mountains, they might as well have had a library printed in Chinese for Eyam people...’ The notice on the door says
Eyam Note: in case any of you are wondering (as I did, initially - and, apparently as did William Elliott!) what Mechanics were doing with books, when work-benches and oily rags might seem more appropriate, the archaic definition of mechanic was "A craftsman, an artisan". Mechanics Institutes were set up throughout the country, and (I think) would have been providing for the ‘extra curricula’ needs of the parish's skilled workers or tradesmen. (Commentary provided by Rosemary Lockie) |
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Image contributed by Peter & Janet Kirk on October 2003.
URL of this page: http://www.wishful-thinking.org.uk/genuki/DBY/Eyam/MechanicsInstitute.html
[Created 24 Oct 2003. Last updated 22 Aug 2007 - 14:07 by Rosemary Lockie]