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.
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...
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...
Fall Lectures 2026
ARCHTOBER Tuesday, October 6th 2026, 6PM Ornamental Cornices: Manhattan’s Sheet-Metal Masterpieces with Henry Millman. Introduction provided by Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy In the late nineteenth and early...
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...
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....
The Past, Present and Future of the General Society
Please click here for a short video history of The General Society.
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...
Building a New Bridge to Replace the Tappan Zee Bridge, June 27
Building a New NY State-of-the-Art Bridge to Replace the Tappan Zee Bridge. David R. Capobianco, P.E., Project Manager – Delivery. Tuesday, June 27th AT THE GENERAL SOCIETY LIBRARY. The lecture starts at 6:30...
The Life of an Artisan: Jean Wiart, Fine Ornamental Metalwork, 6/20
The Life of an Artisan: TRADITION, TRANSMISSION and TRADE. Jean Wiart, Les Metalliers Champenois, Master Artisan of Fine Ornamental Metalwork. Tuesday, June 20th AT THE GENERAL SOCIETY LIBRARY. The lecture starts at 6:30...