Difference between revisions of "Mechanics' Institutes"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
 
[[Mechanics' Institutes]] are educational establishments, originally founded in Scotland in 1821  to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men.  
 
[[Mechanics' Institutes]] are educational establishments, originally founded in Scotland in 1821  to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men.  
  
 
For a general overview of the history, aims and functions of these institutions internationally , see the entry on "Mechanics' Institutes" in [[Wikipedia]][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics%27_Institutes]
 
For a general overview of the history, aims and functions of these institutions internationally , see the entry on "Mechanics' Institutes" in [[Wikipedia]][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics%27_Institutes]
  
See also the entry on [[Institutes]]
+
''See also the entry on [[Institutes]]''
 
 
'''South African examples include'''
 
 
 
==[[The Mechanics' Institute]] in Cape Town ==
 
 
 
=== [[The Mechanics' Institute]] in Port Elizabeth ===
 
 
 
== The [[Railway Institute]]'s in various locations ==
 
 
 
  
The Mechanics' Institute in Cape Town  
+
==The [[Mechanics' Institute]] in Cape Town ==
  
 
The Cape Town [[The Mechanics' Institute|Mechanics' Institute]] was founded in September 1853 and was situated in Burg Street. It was apparently intended mainly to keep the youth occupied and to give them some background and training in science and technology.   
 
The Cape Town [[The Mechanics' Institute|Mechanics' Institute]] was founded in September 1853 and was situated in Burg Street. It was apparently intended mainly to keep the youth occupied and to give them some background and training in science and technology.   
Line 22: Line 12:
  
 
The Institute is cited as the venue for a number of theatrical companies in Cape Town in the 19th century, but unfortunately the Institute was not profitable and the building was sold - according to Bosman (1980, p. 319) probably to the [[Cape Town Institute and Club]], and eventually making way for the Club's new theatre in 1876.
 
The Institute is cited as the venue for a number of theatrical companies in Cape Town in the 19th century, but unfortunately the Institute was not profitable and the building was sold - according to Bosman (1980, p. 319) probably to the [[Cape Town Institute and Club]], and eventually making way for the Club's new theatre in 1876.
 +
 +
 +
== [[The Mechanics' Institute]] in Port Elizabeth ==
  
 
= Sources =
 
= Sources =

Revision as of 06:10, 6 September 2020

Mechanics' Institutes are educational establishments, originally founded in Scotland in 1821 to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men.

For a general overview of the history, aims and functions of these institutions internationally , see the entry on "Mechanics' Institutes" in Wikipedia[1]

See also the entry on Institutes

The Mechanics' Institute in Cape Town

The Cape Town Mechanics' Institute was founded in September 1853 and was situated in Burg Street. It was apparently intended mainly to keep the youth occupied and to give them some background and training in science and technology.

According to Broom (February, 1900, cited by Bosman, 1980:p102, footnote 263), the building contained, among other things, "a large concert room, in which vocal and instrumental amateur concerts were nightly given and where stump speeches, recitations and other amusements drew audiences, both of the members and of the general public." Broom also refers to the hall as the Music Hall.

The Institute is cited as the venue for a number of theatrical companies in Cape Town in the 19th century, but unfortunately the Institute was not profitable and the building was sold - according to Bosman (1980, p. 319) probably to the Cape Town Institute and Club, and eventually making way for the Club's new theatre in 1876.


The Mechanics' Institute in Port Elizabeth

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics%27_Institutes

F.C.L. Bosman, 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 102, 105, 113, 123, 175, 269,, 297.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to ESAT Venues M

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page