Mechanics Institute, Neath, Neath Port Talbot

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.6642 / 51°39'51"N

Longitude: -3.8043 / 3°48'15"W

OS Eastings: 275304

OS Northings: 197703

OS Grid: SS753977

Mapcode National: GBR H2.6CT2

Mapcode Global: VH5GN.0FNK

Plus Code: 9C3RM57W+M7

Entry Name: Mechanics Institute

Listing Date: 10 April 1975

Last Amended: 5 January 1989

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 11779

Building Class: Recreational

ID on this website: 300011779

Location: On the street line opposite the old church gateway.

County: Neath Port Talbot

Community: Neath (Castell-nedd)

Community: Neath

Built-Up Area: Neath

Traditional County: Glamorgan

Tagged with: Building

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History

1847, by Alfred Russel Wallace, 2 storey and cellar, 4 window front. Stonework laid to regular narrow curses, ashlar dressings. Rusticated quoins, deep ashlar ;plinth on rock faced foundation course. Moderat4ly pitched modern slate roof, plain eaves band bearing lettering MECHANICS INSTITUTION. ERECTED AD 1847. Lateral chimney to rear elevation.

Exterior

Twelve pane horned sashes to first floor windows, scribed panels to architraves, bracketed sills. Slightly deeper 12 pane sashes to ground floor. Rusticated architraves with triangular pediments, sills rest on plinth.

Round arched doorway to ground floor left. Rusticated architrave with triangular pediment rests on plinth. Inset steps to modern panelled door, segmental fanlight.
Deep round arched stair window to left end elevation.
Twelve pane sash windows to first floor at rear, cut doorway to basement to right.

Plaque with following inscription between the 2 middle ground floor bays on front elevation:

"Alfred Russel Wallace 1823-1913. Designed this building. He lived in Neath from 1841-1848 during which period he worked as a surveyor and studied Natural History. In his lifetime he collaborated with Charles Darwin in the Study of the Law of Natural Selection and with him presented the first Paper on the Subject in 1858."

Reasons for Listing

Group value with other listed items in Church Place.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

II* Old Town Church of St Thomas
Located in a spacious churchyard within Church Place.
II Old Town Hall
Situated prominently on the corner of New Street with Castle Street with its entrance onto Church Place.
II NO.24 Church Street, West Glamorgan
On the street line opposite the junction with High Street.
II NO.7 New Street, West Glamorgan
On the street line at the corner with Church Place and backing on to St Thomas’ churchyard.
II NO.6 New Street, West Glamorgan
On the street line at the corner with Church Place and backing on to St Thomas’ churchyard.
II The St Ives Public House
On the street line opposite the junction with High Street.
II Gates, Gatepiers & Churchyard Wall of St Thomas' Church
Forming the inner boundary of the lane around Church Place. The gatepiers being on the NW side and SW corner of the churchyard.
II Adrian Hicks & Son
On the street line midway along the street.

British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

Mechanics Institute

A Grade II Listed Building in Neath, Neath Port Talbot