Preston Industrial Institution for the Employment and Education of the Blind

Preston Industrial Institution for the Employment and Education of the Blind

A History of Preston in Amounderness

BY H. W. CLEMESHA, M.A. (Henry Wordsworth Clemesha)

The most considerable benefaction that the town has yet received was obtained under the Will of Edmund Robert Harris, a local solicitor, and a son of the Revd. Robert Harris, headmaster of the Grammar School from 1788 to 1835 and incumbent of St. George's from 1797 to 1862.

Edmund Robert Harris, a local solicitor from Preston

Owing to the courtesy of Messrs. W. Banks & Co., of Preston, who were the solicitors to the trustees, I am able to give the following figures, which though not furnishing a complete list of his benefactions, show how largely Preston has benefited under Mr. Harris's Will:

Preston Industrial Institution for the employment and education of the blind £500

Foundation of scholarships at the Preston Grammar School £3,000

The enlargement or improvement of churches or chapels of the Church of England in Preston or the erection of schools for elementary education in the town £7,275

Harris Institute and Technical School £78,564 8s. 3d.

Harris Orphanage, Fulwood £100,000

Harris Free Library and Museum £122,466

Total: £311,805 8s. 3d.

Cannon Street Chambers, Preston,

1st March, 1912.

The former Preston Industrial Institution for the Employment & Education of the Blind

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PRESTON INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND

OPENING OF THE PRESTON INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND,

Opening of the Preston Industrial Institute for the Blind 1874.  An extract from the Preston Chronicle September 5, 1874.

On the 26th November, 1873, the laying of the foundation stone of the new Industrial Institute for the Blind, took place with due ceremony in presence of a large number of philanthropic ladies and gentleman of the town. At that time we gave a full account of the noble under taking for the alleviation and comfort of those poor creatures who are deprived of the inestimable gift of sight; the work has progressed favourably, and is now finally constructed, and was formally opened on Thursday afternoon. About four o'clock in the afternoon the committee, with a number of friends and subscribers of the institute, met at the new buildings and proceeded to inspect the shops, workrooms, and premises. They found a number of the blind inmates heartily at work in the different branches, all appearing quite happy and contented, and particularly pleased with the visit and grateful for the asylum that had been prepared for them. The rooms throughout are commodious and well ventilated and lighted, but the cellars, with the exception of the one where the skip making is conducted, are rather "holy" affairs. Likewise, the compartment assigned to the brush makers, might possibly have been made a little more roomy, as in consequence of the continual rising of smoke and smell from the burning pitch. extra ventilation and fresh air will naturally be required. The other rooms are well adapted for the purposes assigned for them. The most noticeable feature in the pile, is the really handsome shop fronting Glovers Court; it is well stocked with all the articles connected with their trades, and the counters and fittings are remarkably fine. At the outside of the shop, carved in the corner stone, stands out rather prominently, the name of the Mayor, with the date of the laying of the foundation stone. This we hardly think an ornament. If it were necessary to place the name and date at all, it might have been done in a more suitable place in our opinion, as on a tablet or something of the sort in the interior of the building. Altogether, the edifice appears to be well built, and whilst it is an ornament to the town as a place of business, the rear has wonderfully changed the aspect of the lower end of the grotesque and ancient locality of Main Spirit Weind.

Industrial Institution for the Employment and Education of the Blind

The site belonging to the trustees includes 880 yards, and the whole of the the buildings recently erected cover an area of about 433 yards superficial, leaving 416 yards used as yards and cartways. The main entrances to the shop, workrooms, and house portion are from Glover's-street, through spacious vestibules. The ground plan of the building may be divided into two classes-dwelling and business-the southernmost and east being for the latter, and the northern for the former. The sale shop is 30 feet by 30 feet, and 11 feet high, fitted up with every requisite, having a long counter 32 feet, made of the choicest pitch pine, the front panels and top being of beautiful selected wood. The shop is fitted up with shelving, cupboards, capable of holding articles of various sizes, it is well lighted by two large front windows, 8 feet 9 inches by 8 feet (each in one sheet of best polished glass), and two back windows. The large front windows have Venetian blinds inside, and "Stone's" patent wood revolving shutters. The care of the shop is intrusted to Miss Leech.

Architectural detail on the Industrial Institution for the Blind

In the rear of the shop is a light room 29 feet by 14 feet, used as a show-room and for cane seat working under the care of Miss Fearn. In the rear of this, at a slight elevation, is a large work-room for the brush department, 40 feet by 28 feet, by 14 feet high, with a "pan room" 18 feet by 12 feet, and apparatus occupying one end. These rooms are well ventilated, and heated by Seward's hot water heating apparatus, and fitted up with shelves for storage of brushes, &c. At the north side of the main entrance to the shop is the entrance to the house portion occupied by the Misses Leach and Fearn, and comprise parlour, kitchen, scullery, and three bedrooms on the first floor. The cellars under the whole of the buildings are used as work-rooms and store-rooms.

Architectural detail on the Industrial Institution for the Blind

The large skip room is 52ft. by 28ft. under the super vision of Mr. Schofield, is 13ft high of one span, the ceiling being carried by large cast iron girders, to avoid the inconvenience of having columns, thus giving a clear space for work. Adjoining the skip-room is a gas apparatus for cooking and warming the dinners of the workpeople. In the large yard adjoining Mainsprit-weind are placed sheds for storage, troughs for steeping and soaking the canes and willows previous to being used for chairs, skips, &c. The yard to Glover-street front is unbuilt upon at present, but is so situated that any future extension can conveniently be added, so as to form one compact building. The first floor is approached by two staircases, one for the house portion, committee, &c., and the other; at the southern extremity of the shop, for the use of the public in case of meetings, or for educational purposes. Each staircase leads to the large committee-room and secretary's office.

Architectural detail on the Industrial Institution for the Blind

The rooms are so constructed that by removing a sliding partition one large room for public use can be formed, with separate entrances. The rooms are well lighted by six windows; ventilated and heated by two fireplaces. Lavatories, cloak-rooms, ante-rooms, &c., are in close proximity. The shop front towards Glover-street is of stone, and very effective, having three large windows with curved heads. The upper storey is of brick, with stone heads and sills. Above this are a number of worked carved corbels, supporting the projecting cornice, and a centre piece, in which is inscribed-"Industrial Institute, for the Blind. A.D. 1869." The main entrances are deeply recessed with worked and moulded heads. At the south-west angle is the cornerstone. A hose is fixed in the main entrance, sufficiently Long in case of fire to extend into the main rooms. The total cost, including fittings to shops, &c., is £2,989, and has been successfully carried out by Mr. John Walmsley, For the main trades, D. Tullis and Son, stonework; B. Park, plumber, glazier, and painter; J. R. Bradshaw, flagging and slating; and R. C. Robinson, ironwork; under the supervision of (T. H. Myres, A.R.I.B.A.) Myres, architects, Glover-street. After the inspection of the buildings and a few articles had been disposed of to the visitors, the company adjourned to the Council Chamber of the Town Hall, and were invited to a sumptuous tea, provided at the expense Of the Mayor (J. J. Myres, Esq.), which was placed under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Goulding, keepers of the Town Hall, and, while it did honour to the "host," no little praise was due to the caterers for the manner in which they performed their part of the work. The following ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea:-The Mayor, the Mayoress, the Rev. J. P. Shepperd, Mrs. Shepperd, Mr. and Mrs. D. Irvin, Mrs. Park, Miss A. A. Myres, Mr. E. Myres, Mr. C. T. Taylor (hon. sec.), Mrs. C. T. T. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Plant, Mr. and Mrs. Drennan, Mrs. Halliday, Mr. J. J. Myres, jun., Mrs. and Miss Gillot, Dr. and Mrs. Marshall, Miss Wadsworth, Mr. T. H. Myres (architect), Mr. J. Proffitt, Miss Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Duthie, Mr and Mug Borry Mr and Mrs. Holden, Mr. & Mrs. Castle,...

Architectural detail on the Industrial Institution for the Blind

Architectural detail on the Industrial Institution for the Blind

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Further reading and sources of information

A History of Preston in Amounderness BY H. W. CLEMESHA, M.A.
(Henry Wordsworth Clemesha) - Publication date 1912
The Internet Archive

https://archive.org/details/historyofpreston00clem/page/n7/mode/2up

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Preston Industrial Institute for the Blind Engraving
From the Preston Digital Archive 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/7961101464/

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Opening of the Preston Industrial Institute for the Blind 1874
Extract from the Preston Chronicle September 5, 1874.
From the Preston Digital Archive 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/5809677135/

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Industrial Institute for the Blind, Glovers Court, Preston, photographed in 1987
Workshops opened in 1867. Image courtesy of the Preston Historical Society
From the Preston Digital Archive 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/5656221852/

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The School for Domestic Science, 43 Glovers Court, Preston circa1910
The former Institute of the Blind, opened 1873. (previously listed at 10-11 Glovers Court).  Note the new extension under construction at the right and a glimpse of the erstwhile Avenham Gas Works.
From the Preston Digital Archive (Image courtesy & copyright of The LEP Archive) 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/52741648729/

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