Difference between revisions of "Mechanics' Institutes"
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| − | [[Mechanics' Institutes]] (or simply "Institutes") are educational establishments, originally founded in Scotland in 1821 to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. There have been numerous such (and related) intitutions across the globe over the years. | + | [[Mechanics' Institutes]] (or simply "[[Institutes]]") are educational establishments, originally founded in Scotland in 1821 to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. There have been numerous such (and related) intitutions across the globe over the years, where they have often served as [[venues]] for theatrical and other presentations and performances. |
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] | ||
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'''South African examples include''' | '''South African examples include''' | ||
| − | [[The Mechanics' Institute]] in Cape Town | + | ==[[The Mechanics' Institute]] in Cape Town == |
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| + | === [[The Mechanics' Institute]] in Port Elizabeth === | ||
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| + | == The [[Railway Institute]]'s in various locations == | ||
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| − | The | + | 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. | |
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| + | 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]]. | ||
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| + | 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. | ||
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| + | = Sources = | ||
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics%27_Institutes | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanics%27_Institutes | ||
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| + | [[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]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
| − | + | = Return to = | |
Return to [[ESAT Venues M]] | Return to [[ESAT Venues M]] | ||
Revision as of 05:45, 6 September 2020
Mechanics' Institutes (or simply "Institutes") are educational establishments, originally founded in Scotland in 1821 to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. There have been numerous such (and related) intitutions across the globe over the years, where they have often served as venues for theatrical and other presentations and performances.
For a general overview of the history, aims and functions of these institutions internationally , see the entry on "Mechanics' Institutes" in Wikipedia[1]
South African examples include
Contents
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 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.
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.
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