SHILDON RAILWAY INSTITUTE

‘A Library for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge’

 

Founded in 1833 by railway pioneers including Timothy Hackworth and Thomas MacNay, under the patronage of the Pease family of Darlington, the Institute is almost as old as New Shildon itself. Its purpose was to provide working people with access to education, scientific knowledge, books and lectures.

 

The present Institute opened in February 1913. Designed by William Bell, Chief Architect of the North Eastern Railway, it was a considerable advance upon everything that had preceded it. The building contained reading and recreation rooms, committee and administrative space, billiard facilities and a substantial main hall capable of accommodating lectures, concerts, meetings and large social gatherings. It was at the heart of its community. However, the closure of Shildon Works in 1984 marked the beginning of a period of decline, leaving much of the current 1913 building underused and increasingly difficult to maintain.

 

Mosedale Gillatt Architects have been working with the Institute for the past 12 months on a condition report and feasibility study for the repair and reinvigoration of the Institute’s building to allow it to continue its role in the community. They are proud to be a living legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway — but most importantly, today they are a place for people in the present.

 

Most recently the Institute has been successful in gaining funding from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Fund and from Durham County Council. This will allow them to address an urgent package of repair to the main roof. Mosedale Gillatt Architects will deliver this project over the next year as they prepare for a further funding application to support wider works.