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Reinhardt, Richard. Four books, 300 dollars and a dream: an illustrated history of the first 150 years of the
Mechanics' Institute of San Francisco : how a pioneer reading room for the education of craftsmen became a major library, research facility and social center in the heart of a busy city,
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The
Mechanics' Institute events department presents over fifty author events a year covering a broad spectrum of authors and themes, including fiction and non-fiction, with topics on American and world history, civic engagement, arts and architecture, biography, science and technology, social trends,
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areas of the collection are its chess books and local San
Francisco history. Mechanics' Institute also has substantial digital resources, such as audio-books, e-books, and a music collection as well as access to online databases of film libraries, genealogical searches, financial databases, and more.
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lured people from all over the world to
California. By 1853 most surface gold was mined out, pushing the town of San Francisco into economic decline. A flood of former miners suddenly had no employment and no skills nor prospects. Mechanics' Institute began in 1854 with four books, a chess and games
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By March 1857, Mechanics' Institute of San
Francisco elected the following officers to lead the growing institute: President John Sime, Vice President Gardner Elliot, Secretary H. F. Williams, and Treasurer J. E. Kinkade. Within a few years, Mechanics' Institute was offering classes in such subjects
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Membership at the
Mechanics' Institute is open to the public, and includes use of the library, access to digital and other collections and resources, the chess room, and free or discounted admission to special events, lectures, films, book discussion groups, classes, and other social activities.
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The CinemaLit Film Series presents 35 films a year, featuring classic
American, retrospective, and foreign films. The evening begins with introductions by prominent film critics, writers, reviewers, and the film series curator, who also leads discussions after each film. CinemaLit draws a diverse
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and dropped its technical focus in 1906. Its current collection of over 160,000 items, housed in an historic marble and wrought iron two-story library, covers all subjects, with special strengths in literature, arts, history, philosophy, business, finance, and hard-to-find periodicals. Two focal
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Mechanics' Institute purchased a building site at 36 Post Street, between
Montgomery and Kearny, in 1866 where the Institute erected a three-story building designed by William Patton. The building featured retail space on the ground floor, a library with open stacks, a lecture hall for about six
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to establish itself as a university. The
Institute participated in the fledgling university's first years, hosting technical classes and presenting lectures on many topics. Members of Mechanics' Institute helped develop the university curriculum and have held a seat on the Board of Regents
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as woodworking, mechanical drawing, industrial design, electrical science, applied mathematics, and ironwork. The
Institute's importance in technical education in California reached a pinnacle in 1868 when the California legislature granted a charter to the
214:, the Institute hosted famous industrial fairs that displayed inventions, art, and products of all kinds to thousands of visitors. Awards were presented to winning exhibitors —many of whom are still in business today, including
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The free or low-cost author events, Special Programs, and CinemaLit of the Institute are open to all members and the public. Free attendance at most events and CinemaLit is just one of the benefits of membership.
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By 1910 a new building, designed by Albert Pissis, was built at 57 Post St. where today it remains a landmark of San Francisco architecture and home to all of Mechanics' Institute's activities and programs.
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gave an address at the Institute on 13 May 1903. In April 1906, as with much of the surrounding community, the Institute and its collections were destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake and fire.
181:. Today the Institute serves readers, writers, downtown employees, students, film lovers, chess players, and others in search of learning and a community for the exchange of ideas.
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hundred people, a chess room, a furnished ladies' sitting room, and other rooms for rental by committees, lodges, and related scientific organizations. President
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Aside from educational endeavors, the Institute also promoted industry in the San Francisco Bay Area. Beginning in 1857, on land donated by the land baron
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room, and a mission to become a vocational and cultural center. At this time, California had no colleges or universities and no public libraries. (The
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J. Cumming, Theory made practice: the story of the undertaking and development of the Mechanics’ Institute of San Francisco.
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Hildie V. Kraus. A cultural history of the Mechanics' Institute of San Francisco, 1855–1920. Library History 23, June 2007
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for his age group. The chess club offers tournaments, classes, gatherings, and other activities for all player levels.
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is a historic membership library, cultural event center, and chess club housed at 57 Post Street,
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480:"Theodore Roosevelt: Address at Mechanics' Pavilion in San Francisco, California - May 13, 1903"
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Chris VerPlanck, The Mechanics’ Institute Library, Commission and Construction: 1906-1912
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audience of dedicated film buffs and newcomers to this Friday night film salon.
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The Mechanics' Institute building houses the oldest continuously operating
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economy, and culinary arts. Special Programs, such as the San Francisco
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in 2006. In 2009 one of the chess club's young students, 12-year-old
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Reinvention: Thriving in the 21st Century - Mechanics' Worldwide
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Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room | Atlas Obscura
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Used as a library, cultural event center, and chess club
516:. San Francisco, California. 4 Jan 1906. p. 9.
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440:. Sacramento, California. 7 Mar 1857. p. 2.
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377:Conference and Membership Library Affiliates
554:"Reinvention: Thriving in the 21st Century"
41:Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room
727:San Francisco Mechanics' Institute Library
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371:List of San Francisco Designated Landmarks
451:San Francisco : The Institute, c2005
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410:"Mechanics' Institute by Taryn Edwards"
381:In November 2016, the institute hosted
292:celebration are popular annual events.
18:San Francisco Mechanics' Institute
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284:Literary Night, World Poetry Reading,
677:Congregational Library & Archives
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532:Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria Inc
262:Initially a library dedicated to the
798:Adult education in the United States
778:Organizations based in San Francisco
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318:San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute.
30:Mechanics' Institute, San Francisco
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793:San Francisco Designated Landmarks
662:Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
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783:1854 establishments in California
768:Clubs and societies in California
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484:The American Presidency Project
328:Mechanics' Institute Chess Club
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173:. It was founded in 1854 as a
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510:"Two Libraries Finally Merge"
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732:St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
682:General Society Library
148:Design and construction
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528:"Mechanics' Worldwide"
514:The San Francisco Call
434:"Mechanics' Institute"
387:subscription libraries
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232:Heald Business College
220:Singer Sewing Machines
117:37.78861°N 122.40278°W
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240:Ghirardelli Chocolate
712:Providence Athenaeum
647:in the United States
645:membership libraries
558:Mechanics' Institute
175:mechanics' institute
163:Mechanics' Institute
133:Construction started
122:37.78861; -122.40278
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51:General information
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344:World Championship
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248:Theodore Roosevelt
76:Financial District
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534:. 15 October 2021
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334:in 1902 to
179:gold miners
120: /
108:122°24′10″W
95:Coordinates
757:Categories
419:2022-02-23
393:References
350:Membership
342:, won the
324:chess club
212:James Lick
171:California
105:37°47′19″N
563:1 January
538:1 January
494:1 January
286:Bloomsday
643:List of
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359:See also
288:, and a
258:Library
185:History
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86:Country
64:Address
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275:Events
238:, and
236:Gump's
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304:Chess
565:2022
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282:Noir
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