125th anniversary for historic Ramsden Building in Huddersfield

Jul 6 2009 By Neil Atkinson

This will be concluded by the end of the year.

With its towers, turrets and distinctive Victorian Gothic styling, the Ramsden Building is the historic heart of the University of Huddersfield.

It was opened in 1883 as Huddersfield Technical School and Mechanics’ Institute, the amalgamation of Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institution and Huddersfield Female Educational Institute.

Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institution has its roots in the Young Men’s Mental Improvement Society, founded in 1841 by five employees of German merchant Frederic Schwann.

Classes were held in a succession of rooms around the town until it acquired its first purpose-built premises, on Northumberland Street, in 1861.

But by the 1870s, larger premises were needed, and the Mechanics’ Institution President, Sir Thomas Brooke of Armitage Bridge, who was also Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce whose family of industrialists had long supported the institution, encouraged plans to construct an ambitious new building on Queen Street South.

Land was leased from the Ramsden Estate and money was raised for the construction of the new Technical School and Mechanics’ Institution.

The architect of the building was Edward Hughes, a protégé of the famous Sir Gilbert Scott, who specialised in the fashionable, medievally-influenced Gothic style. Hughes was also the designer of Huddersfield Market Hall, Huddersfield Bank and Spring Grove School.

The Technical School cost £20,000 to build and its ornate facade is adorned by lions holding shields which bear the coats of arms of Sir Thomas Brooke, Huddersfield Corporation, Sir John William Ramsden and the Clothworkers’ Company – which donated £2,000 to the building fund.