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 provide...

Fall 2025 Lectures     Tuesday, September 30th  6 P.M. — Golden Glass with artisan Miriam Ellner In this talk, Miriam Ellner will discuss her newly published book, Golden Glass: Verre Églomisé, Ms. Ellner is...

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 greatly...

“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. Mossman...

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

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 City...

Click here to read the Winter 2023 Newsletter! We are grateful for your support of the programs of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York.

Click here to read the Spring 2022 Newsletter! We are grateful for your support of the programs of The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York.