The Institute

Opened by Robert Owen on January 1st. 1816, the Institute for the Formation of Character is built in the classical style he favoured. It cost £3,000 and was paid for by the Company. It was at the heart of Owen’s environmentalist theories, and was the means by which he set out to reform the character of the adults in the village. It contained rooms used for both education and leisure purposes, including a library and reading room. During Owen’s time, it served many functions, used as a school until 1817, and subsequently as a dance and concert hall, religious meeting place and works canteen. It was the centre of social life in the village and today it is still used to house exhibitions and to hold conferences.

ACTIVITY

1. Using the above photograph and information, describe what the Institute looked like.

2. What was Owen’s principal aim in building the Institute?

3. For what TWO main purposes was it used?

4. List the additional uses of the Institute in Owen’s time.

5. How is the Institute used by the villagers today? Do you think if Owen was alive today he would approve of this? Give reasons for your answer.

6. Visit the Institute and sketch or draw one of the figures outside it. Explain what game(s) the figures are playing. Find out as much as you can about other games played by the village children in the time of Dale and Owen. Your teacher or village guide may be able to help you with this task.