The Plymouth Athenaeum

History

Founded on 17 October 1812 as the Plymouth Institute, it was soon renamed the Plymouth Institution. The first meetings took place in Catherine Street and later Frankfort Street Art Gallery.

Architect and founding member of the Institution John Foulston (1772 – 30 December 1841), who had won a competition to design the Royal Hotel and Theatre group of buildings, designed the building that would become the permanent home of the organisation. The foundation stone of 'The Athenaeum', which had a Greek Doric-style facade, was laid on 1 May 1818.

The Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society, formed in 1838, amalgamated with the Plymouth Institution in 1851. The Mechanics' Institute in Princes Street closed in 1899 and a merger with the Plymouth Institution took place.

Foulston's original 'Athenaeum' was destroyed during The Blitz in 1941, resulting in the loss of the Insititution's library, art and museum collections.

The Institution was renamed The Plymouth Athenaeum when it moved into its present building on 1 June 1961, which is located on almost the exact location of its pre-Blitz home.

Library

Before the Blitz, the Athenaeum library was home to more than 10,000 volumes on topics including science and natural history dating back to the early years of the society in the early 19th century.

The library was restored as part of the rebuilt Athenaum in 1961 and is a full member of the Association of Independent Libraries.

Lectures and Talks

During its history, The Plymouth Athenaeum has played host to a number of high-profile lecturers, speakers and guests. These included broadcasters John Snagge and Edgar Lustgarten, Church of England envoy Terry Waite and artist Robert Lenkiewicz.

Theatre

The rebuilt Athenaeum building included a theatre, which housed productions and shows until its closure in 2009.

Performers who took to the stage at the Athenaeum included actress Maggie Steed and poet Pam Ayres.

In 1971, with the co-operation of the British Film Institute, a film theatre was created with the construction of a projection room on the roof. Present at the opening night were Malcolm McDowell, Bryan Forbes and Nanette Newman.

The Beatles

On 13 November 1963, The Beatles played at the ABC Cinema, which is located next to the Athenaeum. In order to avoid the crowds of screaming fans gathered outside the cinema, The Beatles were rushed into and out of the Athenaeum.

The Beatles, who played at the ABC Cinema again on 29 October 1964, were escorted through a tunnel which connected the Athenaeum with Westward Television, who had been filming the group from the Lyneham Inn, on the outskirts of Plymouth. At the end of the concert, and following a short delay, The Beatles were driven away from Westward's studios.

Bicentenary

The Athenaeum celebrated its bicentenary in 2012 with an open week of activities and the publication of a book charting its 200-year history.

Notable members

Stamp collector Stanley Gibbons, architects John Foulston and George Wightwick, writer and educationlist Derwent Coleridge, Conservative M.P. for West Somerset and later Liberal M.P. for North Devon Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 11th Baronet, newspaper publisher and politician William Saunders (politician) and electrical engineer Jonathan Nash Hearder.