York Mechanics' Institute 1830-1882

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2004

On the northeast corner of Church Street and Adelaide Street East stands an Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.6514 -79.374917

The Mechanics' Institute movement began in Britain and soon spread to North America. Its aim was to teach workers the applied technology behind new methods of manufacture and craftsmanship introduced during the Industrial Revolution. The first Institute in Ontario was established at York (Toronto) in 1830. It sponsored lectures, held classes and operated a lending library. It moved from rented quarters into its own new building on this site in 1861. After passage of the Free Libraries Act in 1882, the Institute transferred its assets to the municipal government. Its book collections formed the foundation of the Toronto Public Library, which opened in the former Institute building in 1884.

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