The Mechanics' Institute

The Mechanics' Institute, dated 1854 and designed by Pritchett, features an imposing classical facade that was added to an earlier building. It is a two-storey structure with five windows and a slightly projecting three-bay pedimented center. The bays are divided by giant pilasters with stone capitals that rest on a plinth and support an entablature, with end pilasters also present. A first-floor band runs between the pilasters. The large paned sash windows have glazing bars; the outer windows on the ground floor are tripartite with pilasters and an entablature, while the center windows have console bracketed cornices and pediments. A half-glazed central double door with an oblong fanlight is set in a prostyle porch supported by paired columns, with the outer columns being square, and it is accessed by four stone steps. The title is displayed in raised lettering on the center frieze. The left return of the building is made of pinkish brick and has three storeys with four windows, some of which are blank panels, while others are sashes with delicate glazing bars. There are some later 19th-century insertions on the ground floor. The rear elevation features three giant elliptical-arched recesses that hold windows.