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The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen
The Small Press Center is an educational program of The General Society of the Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York and is located in The General Society Library on the ground floor of The General Society's landmark building. The General Society was founded in 1785 to provide cultural, educational and social services to families of skilled craftsmen. 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 tuition-free evening instruction in trades-related education. Also founded in 1820, the General Society Library is the second oldest in New York City. The Library has more than 120,000 volumes of current fiction, non-fiction and research materials and is host to the Small Press Center. Twenty West Forty-fourth Street is the fifth home of the General Society and a New York City landmark. The main reading room soars to a height of three stories and is topped by a magnificent skylight. The building was purchased in 1899 and expanded in 1903 through gifts from member Andrew Carnegie. The General Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and remains dedicated to improving quality of life through educational opportunities. 218-year old mission of improving the quality of life through education; sharing and furthering the history of skilled craft; and promoting independent publishing. Support is provided entirely by endowments and gifts from members and friends like you.
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© 2006 Small Press Center