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General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen
(between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas)
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 840-1840
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Map
Fri: 10 am – 5 pm
The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York was founded in 1785 by skilled craftsmen. Today, its educational, philanthropic and cultural programs include the Mechanics Institute, the General Society Library and the New York Center for Independent Publishing.
In 1820, The General Society opened one of the city's first free schools as well as the Apprentices' Library. The school, which became the Mechanics Institute in 1858, continues to provide tuition-free evening instruction in trades-related education.
Also founded in 1820, the General Society Library is the second oldest in New York City. In addition to its circulating collections of fiction and nonfiction, its non-circulating collections include a small but rich collection of books and musical scores on the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, and Useful Arts—books related to trades, crafts, fine and applied
arts, architecture, engineering, printing and publishing.
The façade of the building is a New York City Landmark. The library’s main reading room is three stories high and is topped by a magnificent skylight. The Mossman Lock Museum is located in the society.
- Landmark Status: National Register. Facade is New York City landmark
- Directions: Subway: B, D, F to 42nd Street - Bryant Park
- Archive
- Reading Room
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General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Listings
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John M. Mossman Lock Collection
Ongoing The collection represents one of the most complete anthologies of bank and vault locks in the world, with more than 370 locks, keys and tools dating from 4,000 BC to the 20th century.