Masonic Hall

Masonic Hall, formerly known as The Mechanics' Institute, was built around 1850-1860. It features a red brick facade with stone dressings and a hall at the rear topped with a grey slate roof and a weatherboarded base for raised roof lights. The entrance facade is symmetrical and single-storey, with a raised lugged pediment above a transomed four-light bay that has a slanting roof, chamfered angles, and a decorative surround. The bay includes moulded mullions and transoms, a moulded cornice, and polygonal leaded lights. The pediment has moulded coping, and there are round-headed arches with imposts and keystones leading to entry porches on either side, topped with halved Dutch gables at the base of the pediment. The Mechanics' Institute was established in 1847 and initially met at the National School until this building was constructed. The Institute faced heavy debt, leading to a financial crisis in 1867, and it continued to operate into the 20th century before ceasing to exist by the First World War. During its approximately 60 years of operation, it was the only organization consistently providing adult education and resources for self-improvement through its reading room and library.