THE BELFAST MECHANICS' INSTITUTE
"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.