Mechanics' Institute

Mechanics’ Institute, Church Place, Neath. Wallace and his brother John designed this building. It was constructed by J. Townsend of Swansea and the Wallace brothers supervised the work. The building was completed in 1847 and it was officially opened in 1848. Despite experiencing a severe fire in 1903 it still survives. The Neath Museum used to be housed in it and currently it provides office space for museum staff. A plaque on it reads “Neath Borough Council; Alfred Russell [sic] Wallace; 1823-1913; Designed this building. He lived in Neath from 1841 to 1848 during which period he worked as a surveyor and studied natural history. In his lifetime he collaborated [sic!] with Charles Darwin in the study of the laws of natural selection. And with him presented the first paper on the subject in 1858.”

For an image of the building as it is today click here.

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