Mechanics' Institute, San Francisco
| Mechanics' Institute, San Francisco | |
|---|---|
Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room  | |
| General information | |
| Status | Used as a library, cultural event center, and chess club | 
| Address | 57 Post Street | 
| Town or city | Financial District of San Francisco | 
| Country | United States | 
| Coordinates | 37°47′19″N 122°24′10″W / 37.78861°N 122.40278°W | 
| Construction started | 1854 | 
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | William Patton | 
Mechanics' Institute is a historic membership library, cultural event center, and chess club housed at 57 Post Street, San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1854 as a mechanics' institute, an educational and cultural institution to serve the vocational needs of out-of-work gold miners. 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.