Whitworth Institute

The Whitworth Institute
Interactive map of the The Whitworth Institute area
General information
Architectural styleFree Tudor[1]
Coordinates53°09′45.07″N 1°35′26.15″W / 53.1625194°N 1.5905972°W / 53.1625194; -1.5905972
Groundbreaking1889
Estimated completion1890
Website
thewhitworthcentre.co.uk

The Whitworth Institute is a Grade II listed[2] building in Darley Dale, Derbyshire.[1]

It was funded by the estate of the late Sir Joseph Whitworth who lived in nearby Stancliffe Hall. The building is constructed of Staincliffe stone with green Westmorland slate.[2] By the end of May 1890 the builders had finished work, and the joiners had moved into the interior.[3] The building cost about £15,000[4] (equivalent to £1,590,000 in 2023).[5] and although completed by September 1890, was not formally opened until May 1891. It contained a large reading room, a billiard room, a smoke room and playroom on the east side, a small reading room on the west and a swimming bath 54 feet (16 m) by 22 feet (6.7 m). Upstairs there were two further reading rooms, and a large hall 60 feet (18 m) long and 30 feet (9.1 m) wide capable of seating 200 people.[6]

The Whitworth Institute was given to the people of Darley Dale and in 2009/10 underwent a £1.7m renovation to ensure its continued use for future generations.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pevsner, Nikolaus; Williamson, Elizabeth (1979). The Buildings of England. Derbyshire. Penguin Books Limited. p. 164. ISBN 0140710086.
  2. ^ a b Historic England, "Whitworth Institute (1247895)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 11 March 2017
  3. ^ "The Whitworth Institute at Darley". Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal. England. 30 May 1890. Retrieved 11 March 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Darley Dale". Derby Mercury. England. 3 September 1890. Retrieved 11 March 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ UK Consumer Price Index inflation figures from 1209–2024 based on data from "Inflation calculator". Bank of England. London: Bank of England. February 18, 2026. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  6. ^ "Gossip from the Peak". Derbyshire Courier. England. 24 May 1890. Retrieved 11 March 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Whitworth Institute Refurbishment". Peak District Online. Retrieved 2015-03-31.