Harris Institute, Preston

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iBase ID

234532

Reference identifier

CPP20111025004

Title

Harris Institute, Preston

Place

Preston

General notes

The Shepherd Library was relocated to the Mechanics Institute and opened in these premises on 29th July 1851.

"The Preston Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (or Mechanics' Institute) building in Avenham was built between 1846 and 1849 by John Welch......It was converted and enlarged from 1882 to serve as a Technological College, parent institution of the Harris Technical School in Corporation, which ultimately became Lancashire Polytechnic, and currently the University of Central Lancashire".

From "Dr Shepherd: his life, his family and his Library" (2009) by John Convey, p.19.

In 2010, the building was bought by local businessman Yousuf Bhailok who planned to turn it into a graduate studies centre for training future Imams.

Richard Shepherd, physician and former Mayor of Preston, bequeathed his library to the people of Preston after his death in 1761. The collection was added to in subsequent years and is now housed in the Harris Library. It includes works on literature, theology, law, science and medicine, and numerous publications of learned societies. To mark the 250th anniversary of his death in 2011 Lancashire County Council Cultural Services and the Harris Museum have produced a display of the works in this extensive and fascinating collection.

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