Building of history to be town museum (From Western Telegraph)

Building of history to be town museum

A 140-YEAR-OLD building in the historic heart of Pembroke Dock has been gifted to the town's Museum Trust.

The Mechanics Institute, an imposing three-storey building in Dimond Street, has been given by the Institute's Trustees to the Museum Trust, which already runs the Gun Tower Museum in Front Street.

The Institute Trustees, headed by Mr Percy Sutton and Mr Jack Sudbury, wanted the building to be used for the benefit of the community and they were impressed by what the Museum Trust had already achieved in interpreting Pembroke Dock's fine history.

Said Mr Sutton: "The Museum Trust has demonstrated an enthusiasm and keenness which we fully support and we felt that the Institute would be in very good hands with them."

Museum Trust chairman, Martin Cavaney, welcomed the 'generous gift' from the Institute Trustees.

"We are honoured to have been given such an historic building. It is a very important feature in this community's heritage and is an important link in an historic trail around the town. We are looking, in due course, to open up a part of the building as a town museum, complementing the Gun Tower which reflects Pembroke Dock's unique connections with all three military services."

The origins of the Mechanics' Institute go back to 1850, when two civilian workers in the towns Royal Dockyard convened a meeting of dockyarders to consider establishing a Mechanics Institute in the town. This was enthusiastically adopted and the Institute flourished in its early premises. By 1862 larger accommodation was needed and a lease on a plot of land in Dimond Street was obtained. The foundation stone for the present building at 33 Dimond Street was laid by Mrs Ramsey - later Lady Dalhousie - wife of the Captain Superintendent of the Royal Dockyard, on June 27th, 1862.

The Institute became a very popular meeting place - it was a centre for learning, with lectures, an extensive library, a reading room and a fine billiards room. The building was open from 9 am until 10.30 pm, with the reading room closing at 10.

The Mechanics Institute in Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, which has been gifted to the town's Museum Trust. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.