San Francisco Mechanics' Institute
Encyclopedia
The Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room is a historic membership library, cultural event center, and chess club located in the Financial District of San Francisco, California
at 57 Post Street. Founded in 1854 to serve the vocational needs of out-of-work gold miners, the Institute today is a favorite of avid readers, writers, downtown employees, students, film lovers, chess players, and the 21st century nomadic worker who needs a quiet place to plug in a laptop and do research.
The Mechanics’ Institute prides itself on personal service and its dedication to the “intellectual growth of its members ”. Members are encouraged to recommend materials for purchase, attend workshops, and participate in literature and film discussions groups. Currently there are five book discussion groups on a variety of genres, and three writers’ groups offering peer-to-peer support, advice, and camaraderie.
Literary Night, World Poetry Reading, Bloomsday
, and a Bastille Day
Celebration are popular annual events.
The CinemaLit Film Series presents 35 films a year featuring classic American, Retro and foreign films. The evening begins with introductions by prominent film critics, writers and reviewers with a lively discussion after each film. CinemaLit draws an, eclectic, diverse audience with many film buffs dedicated to our Friday night film salon.
Author events, CinemaLit and Special Programs are open to members and the public. Free attendance at most Events and CinemaLit are a benefit of membership.
in the United States. Many World Champions have visited the chess room from Emanuel Lasker
in 1902 to Boris Spassky
in 2006. In 2009 one of chess club’s young students, 12 year-old Daniel Naroditsky
won the World Championship
for his age group. Activities are offered for all levels of players from beginners to Grandmasters. Tournaments are the lifeblood of the Chess Room with weekend events and Tuesday Night Marathons the anchors.
lured people from all over the world to California. By 1853 most of the surface gold had disappeared causing the town of San Francisco to suffer major economic decline and a flood of former miners who had no jobs, no skills, and no prospects. In 1854 the Mechanics’ Institute started out with four books, a chess room and a mission to start a vocational school. At this time in California there were no public services such as libraries (not until 1879 would the San Francisco Public Library
open ), colleges, or universities. Within a few years the Mechanics' was offering classes in such subjects as woodworking, mechanical drawing, industrial design, electrical science, applied mathematics, and ironwork. The Institute’s importance in California technical education reached its pinnacle in 1868 when the California Legislature granted a charter for the establishment of the University of California
. The Institute participated in the fledgling University’s first years, hosting technical classes and presenting lectures on all topics, helping develop the curriculum, and sitting on the Board of Regents until 1974.
Aside from its educational endeavors, the Institute was also instrumental in the promotion of industry within the San Francisco Bay Area. Beginning in 1857, using land donated by land baron James Lick
, the Institute hosted industrial fairs where inventions, art, and products of all kinds were displayed to thousands of people. Awards were presented to the winning exhibitors many of whom are still in business today (Levi Strauss
, Singer Sewing Machines, Goodyear Tire, Boudin Bakery
, Heald Business College
, Gump's
, and Ghirardelli Chocolate
to name a few).
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
at 57 Post Street. Founded in 1854 to serve the vocational needs of out-of-work gold miners, the Institute today is a favorite of avid readers, writers, downtown employees, students, film lovers, chess players, and the 21st century nomadic worker who needs a quiet place to plug in a laptop and do research.
Library
Though initially a library dedicated to the mechanical arts, a merger with another institution, known as the Mercantile Library Association, in 1906 caused the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s collection to drop its technical focus. Its collection today covers all subjects with special strengths in literature, fine and performing arts, history, philosophy, business, finance, and periodicals that are hard-to-find in electronic format. The latest best-sellers and films are also available as is a rapidly growing audio-book, e-book, and music collection.The Mechanics’ Institute prides itself on personal service and its dedication to the “intellectual growth of its members ”. Members are encouraged to recommend materials for purchase, attend workshops, and participate in literature and film discussions groups. Currently there are five book discussion groups on a variety of genres, and three writers’ groups offering peer-to-peer support, advice, and camaraderie.
Events
The Mechanics’ Institute Events department presents over fifty author events a year, offering a broad spectrum of authors and themes, including fiction and non-fiction, with an emphasis on American and world history, arts and architecture, biography, science and technology, social trends, economy, and culinary arts. Special Programs such as the San Francisco NoirHardboiled
Hardboiled crime fiction is a literary style, most commonly associated with detective stories, distinguished by the unsentimental portrayal of violence and sex. The style was pioneered by Carroll John Daly in the mid-1920s, popularized by Dashiell Hammett over the course of the decade, and refined...
Literary Night, World Poetry Reading, Bloomsday
Bloomsday
Bloomsday is a commemoration observed annually on 16 June in Dublin and elsewhere to celebrate the life of Irish writer James Joyce and relive the events in his novel Ulysses, all of which took place on the same day in Dublin in 1904...
, and a Bastille Day
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July of each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly le quatorze juillet...
Celebration are popular annual events.
The CinemaLit Film Series presents 35 films a year featuring classic American, Retro and foreign films. The evening begins with introductions by prominent film critics, writers and reviewers with a lively discussion after each film. CinemaLit draws an, eclectic, diverse audience with many film buffs dedicated to our Friday night film salon.
Author events, CinemaLit and Special Programs are open to members and the public. Free attendance at most Events and CinemaLit are a benefit of membership.
Chess
The Mechanics' Institute building houses the oldest continuously operating chess clubChess club
A chess club is a club formed for the purpose of playing the board game of chess. Chess clubs provide for both informal games and timed games, often as part of an internal competition or in a league.-Organisation:...
in the United States. Many World Champions have visited the chess room from Emanuel Lasker
Emanuel Lasker
Emanuel Lasker was a German chess player, mathematician, and philosopher who was World Chess Champion for 27 years...
in 1902 to Boris Spassky
Boris Spassky
Boris Vasilievich Spassky is a Soviet-French chess grandmaster. He was the tenth World Chess Champion, holding the title from late 1969 to 1972...
in 2006. In 2009 one of chess club’s young students, 12 year-old Daniel Naroditsky
Daniel Naroditsky
Daniel Naroditsky is an American chess prodigy and an International Master. Daniel was taught chess by his father, Vladimir, in 2002. He won the under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in 2007. He currently attends Crystal Springs Uplands School...
won the World Championship
World Youth Chess Championship
The World Youth Chess Championship is a chess competition for girls and boys under the age of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.The first predecessor of the youth championship was the Cadet Championship. It started off unofficially in 1974 in France for players under 18. The 1975 and 1976 editions were also...
for his age group. Activities are offered for all levels of players from beginners to Grandmasters. Tournaments are the lifeblood of the Chess Room with weekend events and Tuesday Night Marathons the anchors.
Membership
Membership in the Mechanics’ Institute is open to the public. Each membership offers the full services of the Library and Chess Room, along with free admittance or special member rates to special events, lectures, book discussion groups, classes, and other activities.History
In 1848, the discovery of goldCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
lured people from all over the world to California. By 1853 most of the surface gold had disappeared causing the town of San Francisco to suffer major economic decline and a flood of former miners who had no jobs, no skills, and no prospects. In 1854 the Mechanics’ Institute started out with four books, a chess room and a mission to start a vocational school. At this time in California there were no public services such as libraries (not until 1879 would the San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco Public Library
The San Francisco Public Library is a public library system serving the city of San Francisco. Its main library is located in San Francisco's Civic Center, at 100 Larkin Street at Grove. The first public library of San Francisco officially opened in 1879, just 30 years after the California Gold...
open ), colleges, or universities. Within a few years the Mechanics' was offering classes in such subjects as woodworking, mechanical drawing, industrial design, electrical science, applied mathematics, and ironwork. The Institute’s importance in California technical education reached its pinnacle in 1868 when the California Legislature granted a charter for the establishment of the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
. The Institute participated in the fledgling University’s first years, hosting technical classes and presenting lectures on all topics, helping develop the curriculum, and sitting on the Board of Regents until 1974.
Aside from its educational endeavors, the Institute was also instrumental in the promotion of industry within the San Francisco Bay Area. Beginning in 1857, using land donated by land baron James Lick
James Lick
James Lick was an American carpenter, piano builder, land baron, and patron of the sciences. At the time of his death, he was the wealthiest man in California, and left the majority of his estate to social and scientific causes.-Early years:James Lick was born in Stumpstown Pennsylvania on August...
, the Institute hosted industrial fairs where inventions, art, and products of all kinds were displayed to thousands of people. Awards were presented to the winning exhibitors many of whom are still in business today (Levi Strauss
Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. It was founded in 1853 when Levi Strauss came from Buttenheim, Franconia, to San Francisco, California to open a west coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business...
, Singer Sewing Machines, Goodyear Tire, Boudin Bakery
Boudin Bakery
Boudin Bakery is a bakery based in San Francisco, California, known for its sourdough bread...
, Heald Business College
Heald College
Heald College is a for-profit, business-career college with multiple campuses in the Western United States. Prior to its acquisition by Corinthian Colleges Heald was a non-profit private College....
, Gump's
Gump's
Gump’s is a luxury American home furnishings and home décor retailer. Gump’s was founded in 1861 in San Francisco, California.- History :S & G Gump was founded in 1861 as a mirror and frame shop by Solomon Gump and his brother, Gustav...
, and Ghirardelli Chocolate
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a United States division of Swiss candymaker Lindt & Sprüngli. The company was founded by and is named after Italian chocolatier Domingo Ghirardelli, who, after working in South America, moved to California...
to name a few).
Further reading
- J. Cumming, Theory made practice: the story of the undertaking and development of the Mechanics’ Institute of San Francisco. Sunset Magazine 19:1 (May 1907) 43–50.
- Hildie V. Kraus. A cultural history of the Mechanics' Institute of San Francisco, 1855-1920. Library History 23, June 2007
External links
- Mechanics' Institute, San Francisco, California
- Mechanics' Institute Chess Club, San Francisco, California