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.

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...

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...

  Tuesday, September 29th 2026, 6PM The American Artists’ Hand Archive with Thomas Donahue and Vanessa Hoheb Vanessa Hoheb and Thomas Donahue are creating an archive of bronze life hand castings working in participation...

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...

“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....

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...