The Mechanics' Institute is New York's oldest technical school; providing tradesmen and workers with tuition-free evening instruction in trades-related education since 1820. The school was opened under the banner of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York. "The aims of the society were to provide cultural, educational, and social services to families of skilled craftsmen," according to the Institute's catalog.
Alongside the technical school stands The Library of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, which has been open to the public and researchers for almost two centuries. The library houses more than 110,000 volumes as well as museum pieces and historical displays of manufactured items such as locks, blueprint designs, books and other significant cultural collections. The library continues to promote an understanding of urban work and its history.
The school offers tuition free technical programs in different construction trades and disciplines, such as electrical technology, HVAC systems, construction documents and design, project management, plumbing design, facilities management, AutoCAD and many more. The admissions process is simple. Applicants only need a current vocation in the intended field of study, college transcript, H.S. diploma or GED, and official documents to accompany the application. Additionally, students must complete an entrance evaluation "to assess entry-level competencies."
The institute is founded on the principles to help tradesmen to rise beyond their current standing by instilling them with the knowledge necessary to do their jobs more efficiently. With the slogan, "By hammer and hand all arts do stand," they continue to provide, "privately endowed free evening instruction to respectable young men and women to improve themselves in their daily vocations, and to assist those who were obliged to become wage earners before completing their desired education."
The Mechanics' Institute is located on 20 West 44th street, and is marked on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. With more than 180,000 alumni, it continues to be a hidden gem in New York City. Visit www.MechanicsInstitute.org for more information.
Alongside the technical school stands The Library of The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, which has been open to the public and researchers for almost two centuries. The library houses more than 110,000 volumes as well as museum pieces and historical displays of manufactured items such as locks, blueprint designs, books and other significant cultural collections. The library continues to promote an understanding of urban work and its history.
The school offers tuition free technical programs in different construction trades and disciplines, such as electrical technology, HVAC systems, construction documents and design, project management, plumbing design, facilities management, AutoCAD and many more. The admissions process is simple. Applicants only need a current vocation in the intended field of study, college transcript, H.S. diploma or GED, and official documents to accompany the application. Additionally, students must complete an entrance evaluation "to assess entry-level competencies."
The institute is founded on the principles to help tradesmen to rise beyond their current standing by instilling them with the knowledge necessary to do their jobs more efficiently. With the slogan, "By hammer and hand all arts do stand," they continue to provide, "privately endowed free evening instruction to respectable young men and women to improve themselves in their daily vocations, and to assist those who were obliged to become wage earners before completing their desired education."
The Mechanics' Institute is located on 20 West 44th street, and is marked on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. With more than 180,000 alumni, it continues to be a hidden gem in New York City. Visit www.MechanicsInstitute.org for more information.
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