Thursday, 22 May (7.30pm)
Join us as we explore the rise of the Mechanics’ Institutes and the crucial formative role they played in the development of adult education in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century.
From Edinburgh to Glasgow, Liverpool and London, Ipswich, Manchester, Plymouth and beyond, the mechanics’ institutes spread adult education beyond the gentry and middle classes for the first time to the skilled and working class populations of the British Isles and beyond.
Their influence is still felt today in the surviving institutes and societies and the colleges, schools of art and universities which emerged from within the mechanics’ institutes.
This is the story of the rise and legacy of the mechanics’ institutes.
The talk will be given by Owen Ryles MBA, Chief Executive of the Plymouth Athenaeum. Owen is a Fellow of The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the Linnean Society and the Zoological Society.
His previous talks include Education, enlightenment and entertainment: Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute 1825-1899 , Spies, spas and science: Devon & Cornwall Natural History Society 1838-51, Walking through the storm: William Snow Harris v The Admiralty, Bitten by Barnacles: The Life of Charles Spence Bate and Charles Hamilton Smith: Writer, Illustrator, Solider, Spy.
This talk is part of a series of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute. These events and activities, in late May and early June, focus on the past, present and future of mechanics, engineering and technology.
The Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute was founded on 30 May 1825 and merged with the Plymouth Athenaeum in 1899.
Entry is free.
Register on Eventbrite HERE.