bricology (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} bricology) wrote,@ 2006-01-17 21:07:00 |
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A clean, well-lighted place
The Mechanic's Institute Library is one of the hidden gems of San Francisco. Founded in 1854, it is the oldest library on the West Coast, as well as containing the oldest chess club in the United States. The library was originally at the corner of California and Montgomery Streets, in the heart of the Financial District. By 1906, it possessed no less than 200,000 books and was by far the most significant repository of nonfiction books west of the Mississippi.
Then came the 1906 earthquake. The fire destroyed the Mechanic's Institute and all of its books, as well as their priceless, complete collection of British patent drawings dating back to the time of King James I (1603-1625). Despite this incredible loss, the Institute has built itself back up to be one of the most important collections of technical books in the US, as well as publishing a magazine (The Argonaut), hosting the West Coast chapter of The Proust Society of America and fulfilling a variety of other functions for its members.
The Mechanic's Institute has been in its present location--57 Post Street at Market Street--since 1910. It feels far more like a traditional London gentleman's club than its name might suggest. The second and third floors have expansive seating areas with large club chairs and huge, iron-mullioned windows. There are four floors of mezzanines with books on all topics, and the floors are paved in frosted glass block, rather like the Soames Library. Unfortunately, the mezzanine headroom often gets down to the six-foot level, which means that I have to duck when going through the stacks.
The fourth floor houses the Chess Club and, although I have only a passing interest in the game, I love seeing the elderly men and women passing up and down breathtaking circular staircase to the game rooms. If ever there were a secret repository of old San Francisco, the Mechanic's Institute is it. I half-jokingly refer to it as "my gentlemen's club", but I'm very pleased to be a member.
The Mechanic's Institute Library is one of the hidden gems of San Francisco. Founded in 1854, it is the oldest library on the West Coast, as well as containing the oldest chess club in the United States. The library was originally at the corner of California and Montgomery Streets, in the heart of the Financial District. By 1906, it possessed no less than 200,000 books and was by far the most significant repository of nonfiction books west of the Mississippi.
Then came the 1906 earthquake. The fire destroyed the Mechanic's Institute and all of its books, as well as their priceless, complete collection of British patent drawings dating back to the time of King James I (1603-1625). Despite this incredible loss, the Institute has built itself back up to be one of the most important collections of technical books in the US, as well as publishing a magazine (The Argonaut), hosting the West Coast chapter of The Proust Society of America and fulfilling a variety of other functions for its members.
The Mechanic's Institute has been in its present location--57 Post Street at Market Street--since 1910. It feels far more like a traditional London gentleman's club than its name might suggest. The second and third floors have expansive seating areas with large club chairs and huge, iron-mullioned windows. There are four floors of mezzanines with books on all topics, and the floors are paved in frosted glass block, rather like the Soames Library. Unfortunately, the mezzanine headroom often gets down to the six-foot level, which means that I have to duck when going through the stacks.
The fourth floor houses the Chess Club and, although I have only a passing interest in the game, I love seeing the elderly men and women passing up and down breathtaking circular staircase to the game rooms. If ever there were a secret repository of old San Francisco, the Mechanic's Institute is it. I half-jokingly refer to it as "my gentlemen's club", but I'm very pleased to be a member.
