In September 1867, The Age reported that -
A special entertainment, in aid of the projected Brunswick Mechanics' Institute and Public Hall, took place in the Assembly Rooms recently erected adjoining the Retreat Hotel, on Thursday evening last. The programme comprised selections from Dickens, Hood, Lord Brougham and other popular authors, and a selection of duets, songs and quartettes; Miss Lowcock presided at the pianoforte, and the entire entertainment gave every satisfaction to the large assembly present. (1)
The next report I can find of this institution is in July 1868 when £300 was itemised in the Chief Secretary's Department budget for the purchase of a piece of land for a Mechanics' Institute, Brunswick. (2) The building is on the corner of Sydney Road and Glenlyon Road, next to the Retreat Hotel and opposite the Brunswick Town Hall. There is another source which notes that the land for the building was actually donated by Theodotus John Sumner, the first President (more of whom later). (3) It may be the case that Sumner sold the land for a discounted rate, I have no other information on this.
Some sources note that the building dates from 1868; the plaque on the building lists the establishment date as 1868, even though there was obviously a committee in 1867 working towards the projected building; so the dates in these early years are a bit murky. However, it wasn't until 1869 that an Architect, Mr T.A. Kelly, was appointed. He advertised for tenders to erect the building in November 1869. (4)
Tenders called for the erection of the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute in 1869.
The Argus, November 3, 1869 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5823975
A few weeks later, the foundation stone of the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute was laid on Monday, December 20, 1869 and the Weekly Times had this report -
The laying of the foundation-stone of the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute, by the hon. the Chief Secretary, on Monday, as anticipated, caused considerable excitement throughout the borough. The various friendly societies assembled near the Quarry hotel, and formed in procession, headed by the band of the Pentridge Rifle Corps, and marched to the grounds of the Mechanics' Institute near the Retreat inn. Here a large number of people, including a very fair attendance of the fair sex, had assembled to inaugurate the event. On the preliminary arrangements having been got through, the mayor of the borough (Mr. J. W. Fleming) came forward and presented the Chief Secretary with a silver trowel, bearing a suitable inscription, and to be used for the occasion. Mr. MacPherson then used every precaution in seeing that the stone was "well and truly laid," after which he addressed the assemblage, and said that he was highly gratified to be present on this occasion, especially as, when a boy and living in the district, what is now known as Brunswick, he had ridden over the ground where he had that day laid the foundation-stone of such an important institution; also, that whilst a resident of Brunswick he became a member of Parliament, and subsequently Chief Secretary of the colony of Victoria. Three cheers were then given for the Chief Secretary, the president of the institute, and the mayor of the borough, after which a fruit soiree was held at the Retreat-hall, which was fairly attended. The president of the institute, Mr. T. J. Sumner, occupied the chair. Several addresses were delivered, and the proceedings were agreeably interspersed with vocal and instrumental music. (5) 
Theodotus John Sumner
The Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, June 17, 1873.
State Library of Victoria image IAN17/06/73/96a
Theodotus John Sumner (1820-1884), the President of the Mechanics' Institute, lived at Stony Park, in Brunswick, and was well connected and wealthy. In 1852, the same year that he married Sarah Peers, Theodotus became a partner with businessman Richard Grice (1813-1882). In 1876, Sumner’s daughter Annie married Grice’s son James and the firm became known as Grice, Sumner and Co; it was by then one of the oldest and foremost mercantile houses in the Australian colonies. The firm had large land holdings in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. (6). Alice Sumner, another daughter of Theodotus, married Charles Snodgrass Ryan and they became the parents of Maie, whose husband Lord Casey was the Governor General of Australia from 1865 - 1969, and the namesake of the City of Casey. Charles Ryan was the brother of the artist, Ellis Rowan. (7) Grice senior, died in Fitzroy in 1882 and left a substantial estate valued at £320,000. Sumner's estate was a more 'modest' £194,883. (8)
T.J. Sumner's Stony Park, which bordered the Merri Creek, in Brunswick, in 1866.
State Library of Victoria image H656
The Stony Park Estate, on the corner of Glenlyon Road and Nicholson Street was sub-divided in 1923 and the new streets created were Sumner, Peers, Noel and Rupert - named for Sumner, his wife Sarah (nee Peers) and their grandsons - Noel Sumner Nash and Rupert Ryan. (9)
The Mechanics' Institute was opened on April 5, 1870 and the Weekly Times again reported on the event -Something more than ordinary gaiety was evinced by the people of Brunswick on Tuesday, on the occasion of the opening of their Mechanics' Institute and Public Library. A tea meeting on a large scale in the new hall, followed by a concert, interspersed with various addresses by gentlemen notables, was chosen as the most agreeable mode of inaugurating this valuable institution. The tea and substantial accompaniments were provided by ladies of the borough, and was done ample justice to by some 800 persons. Upon the tea and tables being cleared away, the Hon. J. MacPherson, M.L.A., in the absence of the president of the institution, Mr. T. J. Sumner, took the chair, to preside over the further and more intellectual engagements of the evening. The Orpheus Quartett party furnished the principal harmony of the evening ; and complimentary addresses to the ladies and gentlemen of the borough for their energy in raising so commodious and handsome a building were delivered by his Honour Judge Bindon, the Hon. David Moore, Mr. E. Cope, M.L.A., and other gentlemen. (10)
The Australasian also had a report which had some interesting building details, including the fact that it was planned to have another storey, which was never built -
The inhabitants of Brunswick were called together on Tuesday, to celebrate the opening a mechanic's institute by the holding of a tea-meeting and concert afterwards. The building, which is of brick, is to have, when completed, a handsome frontage rising to two stories in height, ornamented with rusticated pilasters on the ground floor, and Ionic columns above, the whole to be surmounted by a handsome cornice and open balustrade. The ground floor will be devoted to the purposed of library, committee, and retiring rooms, while above will be the reading and class rooms. The architects are Messrs. Kelly and Beswicke, who estimate the total cost at about £2,000. The only portion at present constructed consists of the concert hall 60ft. by 30ft., and 22 ft. high, the inside of which presents a fine and imposing appearance, with a coved ceiling rising from a moulded cornice. The ventilation with Watson's cupola vents and the lighting with ornamented sun lights are very perfect, while the acoustic qualities of the hall, which were well tested last evening, were considered first-class. This portion has cost a trifle under £700, Mr. B. Crooke being the contractor....[after the refreshments] The hon. treasurer read a report, from which it appeared that the sum of £250 was still required to complete the present contract, but confident hopes existed that the amount would shortly he forthcoming. (11)
The Mechanics' Institute, 1905
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works detail plan. no. 1882, Town of Brunswick, 1905
State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/128706
Kelly and Beswicke, the Architects were Thomas Anthony Kelly and John Beswicke. Thomas Kelly was listed in the 1870 Sands McDougall Directory at 100 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne He was noted for his design of many Catholic Churches in the 1860s and 1870s - including - St Brigid's, Fitzroy; the church of St Peter and St Paul in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill); St Augustine's in West Melbourne; St Monica's in Footscray - where The Herald noted that - The architect is Mr. T. A Kelly, of Elizabeth street, to whose taste and skill so many churches recently erected in the colony testify. ; Sacred Heart Geelong; St Mary's in Echuca; a Sisters Of Mercy Convent and School in Kilmore and St Mary's in Sorrento. He also designed the Footscray Town Hall. (12) Thomas Kelly had married Catherine Bullen in February 1873. He died in Goulburn, NSW in 1923, aged 71 (13).
John Beswicke is listed in Sands McDougall in 1875 at Harcourt Street Hawthorn. He designed hundreds of buildings including the Hawthorn Town Hall; Australian Buildings at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Lane; the Kronheimer Wing at the Austin Hospital; the Queen's House at 360 Collins Street and many private houses including his own, Rotha in Harcourt Street. Beswicke was also in partnership for a time with Ralph Wilson with whom he designed the Presbyterian Church in Alma Road, St Kilda; Essendon Town Hall and the Malvern Town Hall. (14) He married Mary Hannah Parsons in 1877 and died in April 1925 aged 78. (15)
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Brunswick Mechanics' Institute, 1949. Photographer: Colin Caldwell.
State Library of Victoria image H84.276/2/13D
The Victoria Government Statistical Registers provides the following information about the Brunswick Mechanics Institute - in 1874 they had 1,450 volumes and the opening hours were 7.00pm to 10.00pm; 1877 - 1,750 volumes, same opening hours; 1880 - 3,000 volumes, same hours; 1884 - 2,000 volumes, same hours; 1887 - 3,000 volumes same hours. Three years later in 1890, the collection was 2,749 volumes, the opening hours were 10.00am to 5.00pm, 7.00pm to 10.00 pm and there were 41,000 visits that year. In 1894 - 3,150 volumes, same opening hours and 57,000 visits. (16) It is possible that the extra statistics provided to the Government about visits were due to the new Librarian, Arthur Goding, who was employed in 1889. Mr Goding, then living at 12 Duckett Street Brunswick, retired in 1919 and he died in June 1926 aged 84. (17)
The Mechanics' Institute, 1960s. Photographer: Alf Wesson.
Image courtesy of the Wesson Collection, Mechanics' Institute Resource Centre, Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria.
In 1912 the Library had 3,736 volume and 45 members, not including life members. (18) The Coburg Leader of February 16, 1912 published this unfavourable report on the Institution, and supported the idea that the Council should take over the building -
The Brunswick Mechanics' Institute is unquestionably not an evidence of the progress of the municipality. It is conservative in its very being, and represents the ideals of a past age when free libraries as they are known to day did not exist. In many up country townships similar establishments to the Brunswick Mechanics Institute are to be found. The so called "free liberry " turns out to be a small portion of the library room shut off from the rest and furnished with very ancient copies of illustrated papers. When the visitor unwittingly seeks to look at the contents of the larger quarter where the books are ranged on shelves and more up to-date journals and magazines are to be read, he is repelled by the notice "For subscribers only" or by the warning voice of the librarian. It is under these circumstances that the name of "Free" or "Public Library " becomes a misnomer. The places are merely institutions for the convenience of those ratepayers who subscribe to their funds and the free library or public reading room is merely retained in order to save the situation in the event of Government making inconvenient inquiries. Cr. Hickford carried a motion at the Brunswick council the other night that the council wait upon the Minister of Education and request to be informed whether Government will lend assistance towards the erection of a technical school provided the council acquires possession of the property. Crs Fleming and Methven both opposed any such transfer protesting that the institute was private property and as such would be free from any interference by the municipal council. It would be beyond all question a benefit to the community the throwing open the library to the public and letting them share in what was always intended to be for the public good. People talk largely on keeping our boys off the streets yet what sort of attractions do the miniature rooms with the out of date periodicals offer? Were the resolution moved and carried by Cr Hickford to become law the council would have to take over the ground on which the institute stands and without a doubt there is room for a row of shops which should certainly be easily let on advantageous terms. Altogether the idea is one that commends to all reasonable people and it is to be hoped the public will not let the matter drop. Once the council assumed control of the Mechanics' Institute the rest would be easy. (19)
The Council did not take over control then and two years later, the Brunswick and Coburg Leader reported that there were still only 45 subscribers and that The place is rapidly falling to pieces through senile decay, sadly neglected, and altogether the institution presents an appearance of desolation which is beyond description. (20)
In 1915, the Brunswick Mechanics Institute and Free Library Bill was passed by the Victorian Parliament and the new committee of management was to consist of four members of the Brunswick Council and four members of the Institute. The local member Mr Jewell was happy with this bill as he noted -I am very pleased that the Government has seen fit to bring in this Bill. The Institute has been established since 1868, and in later years it has become rather neglected. It is not a free library, because people have to pay so much a week for taking out books. For many years the Council contributed certain sums to the institute, but they did not care to provide very much, because they had no control over the funds. If the Bill is passed, it will be a great boon to the people of Brunswick, because the library will be free to every young man and woman in the district who cares to take books or to pass time in the institute reading the periodicals. (21)
Brunswick Mechanics Institute and Free Library Bill bill passes
The Age, December 17, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154904433
This new management did result in improvements - in 1923, membership was 216, library visits were 37,500 and book stock was 2,987, of which 444 were new. (22) However, in June 1925, the building was described as an eyesore, by the Sun News-Pictorial -
The Brunswick Mechanics' Institute is in a dilapidated condition, and has been a source or complaint for a number of years. With a view to renovating the institute, at a cost of £800, specifications have been prepared. (23)
Sydney Road Eyesore - the Mechanics' Institute - the only photo I have before the renovations. The tree on the left is a Moreton Bay Fig, which was removed for the renovation works.
Sun News-Pictorial June 24, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article274663362
In October 1925, Heath advertised for tenders for the additions and renovations to the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute. (25)
Architect, Charles Heath, invites tenders for renovations
The Age, October 24, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155671592
The Sun News-Pictorial reported on the result of the tender process in December 1925 -
Brunswick Mechanics’ Institute, Sydney-road, is to be improved and renovated. The chairman (Cr. Holbrook) stated that the committee had accepted a tender of £865 for the work. “We intend to make the building, which is one of the oldest in Brunswick, a most up-to-date institution,” said Cr. Holbrook. “Recently we have improved the front by lawns and concrete groundings. Inside improvements will include a bigger reading room, and more shelves and books." (26)
Sadly, these improvements to the front required the destruction of a fine Moreton Bay Fig tree, planted nearly 70 years previous by Cr John Ward Fleming and the T.J. Sumner, as the roots were impacting the foundations of the Retreat Hotel and causing the wall of the Mechanics' Institute to crack. Another tree of the same age was also removed at this time (27)
In December 1926, the Annual Report noted that the building works expenditure was £1289 including £865 for the contractors Phillips and Greeney; £211 for extra items; £79 for linen; £63 for Mr Heath's fee and £20 for two stone tablets (you can see the stone tablets in the image below). Membership had risen to 264 and book stock to 4,411. (28)
The Mechanics' Institute, 1960s, showing the two stone tablets which were purchased for £20.
Photographer: Alf Wesson.
Image courtesy of the Wesson Collection, Mechanics' Institute Resource Centre, Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria.
The building provided library services until March 1976,when it closed and the library moved to a new location on the old Town Hall site. It is now an Arts and Cultural Centre.(29)
Footnotes
(1) The Age, September 14, 1867, see here.
(2) The Argus, July 6, 1868, see here.
(3) The Age, September 30, 1936, see here.
(4) The Argus, November 3, 1869, see here.
(5) Weekly Times, December 24, 1869, see here. Another report of the laying of the Foundation Stone was in The Leader of December 24, 1869, see here.
(6) Richard Grice's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grice-richard-3669
(7) J.T. Sumner, born in England, married Sarah Peers in 1852. Their seven children were born in Brunswick (or Merri Creek) -
- Annie Ruth in 1855, married James Grice.
- Egbert Peers 1856, died in 1899 in Scotland.
- Alice Elfrida in 1858, married Dr Charles Ryan.
- Ethel Stone in 1861, married James Traill.
- Kate Omerod, in 1862, married James Osborne.
- Maud Mary in 1864, married Albert Nash. They owned Ballarto in Cranbourne.
- Winifred in 1868, married Andrew Chirnside. They lived at Edrington in Berwick.
His obituary - Illustrated Australian News, May 14, 1884, see here; Lady Casey - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/casey-lady-ethel-marian-maie-12296 I have written more about the Lady Casey and family here https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/12/miss-fanny-dango-mr-sam-mackay-and.html and https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/12/laying-of-foundation-stone-of-childrens.html
(8) Richard Grice 's estate - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grice-richard-3669; J.T. Sumner's estate -The Australasian, July 19, 1884, see here.
(9) Advertisement flyer for the sale of Sumner's Stony Park Estate, May 26, 1923 at the State Library http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/167840
(10) Weekly Times, April 9, 1870, see here.
(11) The Australasian, April 9, 1870, see here.
(12) Churches - St Brigid's - Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, August 14, 1869, see here; St Peter and St Paul - The Australasian, November 13, 1869, see here; St Augustine's - Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, July 16, 1870, see here; St Monica's - The Herald, July 7, 1873, see here; Scared Heart - The Advocate, May 30, 1874, see here; St Mary's Echuca - Riverine Herald, March 9, 1876, see here; Kilmore - The Advocate, April 21, 1877, see here; St Mary's Sorrento - The Advocate, March 13, 1880, see here; Footscray Town Hall, Williamstown Chronicle, July 17, 1875, see here.
(13) Marriage notice - The Argus, February 26, 1873, see here; Death notice - Sydney Morning Herald, July 18, 1923, see here
(14) Hawthorn Town Hall - The Argus, August 8, 1888, see here; Australian Buildings - Weekly Times, May 19, 1894, see here; Kronheimer Wing - Leader, May 28, 1904, see here; Queens Buildings - The Herald, May 4, 1916, see here. Houses - https://www.landscape.net.au/john-beswicke/ https://www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/history/ St Kilda Presbyterian Church - The Argus, January 28, 1885, see here; Essendon Town Hall - Essendon & Flemington Chronicle, February 12, 1886, see here; Malvern Town Hall - The Argus, July 27, 1886, see here.
(15) Death notice - The Argus, April 29, 1925, see here.
(16) Victoria Government Statistical Registers - available here on the Victorian Government Library Service website
(17) The Herald, February 12, 1919, see here; Brunswick and Coburg Leader, June 11, 1926, see here; The Age, June 11, 1926, see here.
(18) Coburg Leader, March 22, 1912, see here.
(19) Coburg Leader, February 16, 1912, see here.
(20) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, March 13, 1914, see here.
(22) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, November 21, 1924, see here.
(23) Sun News-Pictorial, June 24, 1925, see here.
(24) The Age, September 20, 1923, see here; The Herald, October 1, 1926, see here; The Herald, June 15, 1927, see here.
(25) The Age, October 24, 1925, see here.
(26) Sun News-Pictorial, December 29, 1925, see here.
(27) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, July 17, 1925, see here.
(28) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, December 10, 1926, see here.
(29) These Walls Speak Volumes: a history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria by Pam Baragwanath and Ken James (published by the authors in 2015), pp 110-111.
