The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York

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  • The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen

    20 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

240 Years of Education and Service to the People of New York City

Latest news

February 6, 2026 0

Welcome to the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen

Founded in 1785 by the skilled craftsmen of the City, our organization continues to serve and improve the quality of life of the people of the City of New York.

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February 5, 2026 0

Mechanics Institute Programs

Mechanics Institute Programs 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...

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February 4, 2026 0

Congratulations to the Mechanics Institute Class of 2025!

The Board of Governors of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen and the School Committee extend their Congratulations to the Mechanics Institute Class of 2025! “As you move forward, I urge you to embrace the...

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February 3, 2026 0

Spring Lectures 2026

Tuesday, March 10, 6pm – A History of Queens: Rural County, Urban Borough with Laura Helm In celebration of the late Jeffrey A. Kroessler’s book Rural County, Urban Borough: A History of Queens,...

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February 2, 2026 0

A New Museum Arrives at the General Society

A New Museum Graces Our Fourth Floor General Society Member and Master Plumber, Larry Weingarten, of Salinas, CA is co-author, with his wife, Suzanne, of The Water Heater Workbook. He has serviced and...

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February 1, 2026 0

The Dr. Bert Spilker Key Collection at the Mossman Museum

“The Dr. Bert Spilker Key Collection” The Dr. Bert Spilker Key Collection, numbering over 450 keys, now has a permanent home at the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen at the John M....

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January 31, 2026 0

The Past, Present and Future of the General Society

Please click here for a short video history of The General Society.

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January 30, 2026 0

General Society Library Founded in 1820

The General Society Library recently celebrated its 204th Anniversary. This historic institution marked over two centuries of providing vital access to educational resources, special collections and historic archives  for the people of the...

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By hammer and hand all arts do stand.

The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Us

The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York

Address - 20 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

Phone: 212.840.1840
E-mail: victoria.dengel@generalsociety.org
Website: www.generalsociety.org

Our Mission

The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York was founded in 1785 by the skilled craftsmen of the City. Today, this 240-year old organization continues to serve and improve the quality of life of the people of the City of New York through its educational, philanthropic and cultural programs including its tuition-free Mechanics Institute, The General Society Library, and its century-old Lecture Series.

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