Whitworth Institute

The Whitworth Institute is a Grade II listed[2] building in Darley Dale, Derbyshire.[1]

The Whitworth Institute
General information
Architectural styleFree Tudor[1]
Coordinates53°09′45.07″N 1°35′26.15″W
Groundbreaking1889
Estimated completion1890
Website
thewhitworthcentre.co.uk

It was funded by the estate of the late Sir Joseph Whitworth who lived in nearby Stancliffe Hall. The building is constructed of Staincliffe stone with green Westmorland slate.[2] By the end of May 1890 the builders had finished work, and the joiners had moved into the interior.[3] The building cost about £15,000[4] (equivalent to £1,660,000 in 2019).[5] and although completed by September 1890, was not formally opened until May 1891. It contained a large reading room, a billiard room, a smoke room and playroom on the east side, a small reading room on the west and a swimming bath 54 feet (16 m) by 22 feet (6.7 m). Upstairs there were two further reading rooms, and a large hall 60 feet (18 m) long and 30 feet (9.1 m) wide capable of seating 200 people.[6]

The Whitworth Institute was given to the people of Darley Dale and in 2009/10 underwent a £1.7m renovation to ensure its continued use for future generations.[7]

References
  1. Pevsner, Nikolaus; Williamson, Elizabeth (1979). The Buildings of England. Derbyshire. Penguin Books Limited. p. 164. ISBN 0140710086.
  2. Historic England, "Whitworth Institute (1247895)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 11 March 2017
  3. "The Whitworth Institute at Darley". Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal. England. 30 May 1890. Retrieved 11 March 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. "Darley Dale". Derby Mercury. England. 3 September 1890. Retrieved 11 March 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  6. "Gossip from the Peak". Derbyshire Courier. England. 24 May 1890. Retrieved 11 March 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "Whitworth Institute Refurbishment". Peak District Online. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
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