Mechanics’ Institutes were first established in Scotland in the 1820s during the Industrial Revolution to provide technical educational resources for those who could not pursue a university degree. Thirty years later, after most surface gold in the 1949 Gold Rush had been mined out, pushing San Francisco into an economic decline, John Sime, Roderick Matheson, Benjamin Heywood and George Gluyas established a Mechanics’ Institute in the City. The Institute operated as a dues-paying club that allowed members access to its Library and Chess Club. The first operational meeting was held on December 11, 1854 at the tax collectors office at City Hall[1]. The Institute leased two rooms on the 4th floor of a building on Montgomery Street and in 1866 moved into the upper two floors of a three story building at 31 Post. There were lectures on science, technology and the humanities with technical classes on mechanical drawing, applied mathematics, wood carving and ironwork. Membership was open to everyone regardless of race or gender.
The Institute supported itself by hosting industrial fairs in an 18,000 square foot building on land donated by James Lick[2] near the Civic Center. Thirty-one fairs were held between 1857-1899 that included exhibits by Levi Strauss[3], Boudin Bakery4], Gumps[5] and Ghiradelli Chocolate[6].
When UC Berkeley was established in 1868 the Mechanics’ Institute hosted technical classes, presented lectures, assisted in developing a curriculum and had a seat on the UC Board of Regents until 1974.
By 1900 the Institute had 4,150 members and the Library had amassed 135,000 volumes. The 1906 Earthquake and Fires[7] destroyed both the building and its contents. A temporary building was quickly erected at the corner of Grove and Polk (where today’s Civic Auditorium stands) and opened on May 23, 1906. On May 13, 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt gave an address there. A year later, a new 9-story building designed by Albert Pissis[8] at 57 Post was completed. It has a rather unassuming exterior, but the interior has marble floors, Corinthian columns and a spectacular spiral staircase. The Institute merged with the Mercantile Library Association, and the Mechanics’ Institute dropped its technical focus and became a leading cultural center with access to the Library, guest speakers, classes, book groups and Chess Room. The Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club is the oldest continuously operating chess club in the nation. It hosts classes, marathons and both national and international tournaments. World champions who played there include Emanuel Lasker and Boris Spassky[9].
[1] City Hall: https://thesanfranciscophoenix.com/?p=4664 [2] James Lick: story coming August 25th [3] Levi Strauss: story coming September 26th [4] Boudin Bakery: https://thesanfranciscophoenix.com/?p=3813 [5] Gumps: story coming August 4th [6] Ghiradelli Chocolate: story coming February 21st [7] 1906 Earthquake and Fires: https://thesanfranciscophoenix.com/?p=2849 [8] Albert Pissis: https://thesanfranciscophoenix.com/?p=4767 [9] Visit them at www.milibrary.org
