The Stamford Institution was founded in 1838 and was seen by many in the town as a force for the education of the ‘lower classes’. The building described in the article was opened in late 1842, and still stands at the top of St Peter’s Hill. It is remembered by many people of a certain age as the Stamford base of the YMCA during the mid-20th century.
“STAMFORD INSTITUTION. –A special meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday last, to receive designs for the new Hall of this Society proposed to be erected on St. Peter’s hill. Numerous plans and specifications were sent in by Messrs. Browning of Stamford, Glover of Huntingdon, Dain of Leicester, Donthorn of London, and Muffatt of Doncaster, architects. That of Mr Browning, involving the smallest expenditure, and being considered most suited for the purposes required, was adopted. He proposes that the building shall comprise an entrance–hall or vestibule (30ft. by 12ft.) in the front, on the right of which there will be an immediate entrance into the reading-room and library (31ft. by 15ft.), and on the left a spacious staircase to the lecture-room above ; immediately behind the staircase, the committee-room (14ft. by 11ft.), and adjoining that, a room (16ft. by 14ft.) to be used as a news-room : the reading and news rooms will have windows looking into a small yard at the back (communicating with the basement, which will comprise laboratory, porter’s living and sleeping rooms, &c.), into which they will also have an outlet. The first floor will be entirely occupied by the lecture and concert room (50ft. by 30ft., and about 22ft. in height), lighted by dome-shaped sky-lights, and around it will be erected a spacious gallery to be used for the purposes of the museum. The elevation of the front is exceedingly chaste, of the Grecian style of architecture, and well adapted to display the objects of the edifice. Had the funds of the Society been more ample, a greater architectural display might perhaps have judiciously been made, but the design selected is sufficiently bold to stamp the appearance of the building with importance, and is eminently characteristic of the purpose to which it will be devoted – the advancement of science and literature. The estimated cost is 900l., which will be lessened by 100l., the value of the old buildings standing on the site. – During this week, the election by the annual members of three gentlemen to serve on the committee, in the place of the Rev. D.E. Jones, Mr. Henry Cecil Bell, and Mr. Chapman, draper, (who retire, their term of office having expired,) has taken place : Mr. Barber, surgeon, Mr Woodroffe, chemist, and Mr. Samuel Sharp, have been chosen. The first meeting of the committee comprising the newly-elected members will take place on Wednesday evening next, for the purpose of electing a vice-president in the room of Mr. Ald. Lowe, who retires in rotation, and to prepare for the receipt of tenders for building.”
The Stamford Mercury, 27th August, 1841