There were 100 reasons to celebrate as Footscray Mechanics’ Institute secretary Judith Dwyer and president Keith O’Brien cut a cake to mark the institute’s centenary of operating from Nicholson Street earlier this month.
The institute began in Pilgrim Street in 1857, moving to Austin Street and later to Nicholson Street in 1870 after a fire destroyed the Austin Street building.
The present building was constructed in 1913, to replace the old wooden building. The institute continues to operate as a lending library.
