The Mechanics Institute movement began in Scotland in the early 1800's with the goal of providing classes for the working classes. In 1854 a group was formed in Bendigo to establish a Mechanics Institute. By 1856 the first permanent building was established in McCrae Street and included a free library. Initially it provided classes in drawing, arithmetic and book-keeping. The MI supported the establishment of a School of Design in 1871. A separate School of Mines began classes in 1873 initially using the MI building. In 1904 the School of Mines took over the MI including the library and developed further into what is now Bendigo TAFE.A 5 page document on the history of modern technical education and the Bendigo Mechanics Institutebendigo mechanical insitute, history, bendigo tafe