Former Brierley Hill Technical Institute and Free Library

The former Technical Institute and Public Library, Moor Street, Brierley Hill. Built c.1903-4. The Technical Institute and Library was designed to accommodate the two functions of a public, free library and a technical institute to train the many apprentices in the local glass industry. Andrew Carnegie gave £2,000 towards the library building in 1901 and the rest of the cost was borne by Brierley Hill Urban District Council. The foundation stone was laid in April 1903, and the building opened in 1904.

The design was by Lewis Harper, and the builder was CA Horton. The brick and terracotta used were locally produced by the Ketley Brick Company, and the sculptures of Learning and Art were modelled by Arthur Gibbons and Albert Oakden who were, respectively, headmaster and assistant of the School of Art. The teaching in the school encompassed fine art and the skills of glass cutting and cameo etching.

The building has been vacant for over 17 years but thanks external funding from Historic England and Dudley MBC it has undergone extensive repairs and is sympathetically being brought back into use . This is the third HOD day hosted in the building. The first one was when the building was in its derelict state (click on this link provided to view the virtual tour when it was in this condition). The second HOD day was mid-way through its repair and this third and final HOD event will provide the public the opportunity to see the almost completed project.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

10.00 to 13.30

Location & directions

Former Technical Institute and Public Library, Moor Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EU

Directions:

The building is located on the junction of Bell Street and Moor Street and is enclosed with hoarding with large blue banners affixed.

Contact on day:

Jayne Pilkington

Telephone number:

+447969148208

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The site is close to completion however there are some areas that may not be quite finished. Within a short walk of the building is the Moor Street Carpark which is FREE to park for the first two hours. https://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/carpark/the_moor_centre/dy5/brierley_hill/?arriving=202608011830&leaving=202608012030#google_vignette

Additional information

After your visit why not do some of our self-guided trails around the town centre which you can download from our Discover Dudley Webpage: https://www.discoverdudley.org.uk/walking-trails - Brierley Hill Visitor Print Map - Brierley Hill Architectural Trail - Brierley Hill Geological Trail - Who's Who in St Michael's Churchyard

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