Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Mechanics Institute
Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Recreational
- Date of designation
- 10 April 1975
- Community
- Neath
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.66423, -3.80434
- Cadw reference
- 11779
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
On the street line opposite the old church gateway.
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."
Reason for designation
Group value with other listed items in Church Place.
Nearby in the register
- Old Town Church of St ThomasReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Old Town HallCivilunder 1 mi
- 24 Church StreetCommercialunder 1 mi
- 7 New StreetCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.