Whitworth Institute
Building in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Whitworth Institute is a Grade II listed[2] building in Darley Dale, Derbyshire.[1]
| The Whitworth Institute | |
|---|---|
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 Interactive map of the The Whitworth Institute area | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Free Tudor[1] |
| Coordinates | 53°09′45.07″N 1°35′26.15″W |
| Groundbreaking | 1889 |
| Estimated completion | 1890 |
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 £1,670,000 in 2025).[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]