Significance

Mechanics Institutes were the forerunners of public libraries and adult education in Australia. The Emerald Mechanics Institute was the product (as was typical of the Institutes) of the local community's donation of labour, time, expertise and money. Nurseryman, C. A. Nobelius, donated the land for this project and provided conifer and deciduous trees which were planted on the reserve.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of the Mechanics Institute at Emerald newly built. Circa 1905. The Institute is located on the present- day site of the tennis courts. A man on a horse pulling a cart can be seen on the right and the old general store (present-day Woolworths) on the extreme right. There are two boys in the center right of the image.

Inscriptions & markings

Inscribed on front of photo: 'Emerald'
Hand-written on back of photo: 'Mechanics Institute / Sherriff Rd. / Emerald / Opened 1905