Description: This very early view shows the original side of the building, before subsequent alterations after a fire in 1867. Note the sign on the corner of the building which says 'Museum open every day'. On the left is the churchyard to Holy Trinity Church (which gave the name to Trinity Square, and is now the location of the multi-storey car park). In the distance is Trinity Church Schools at the corner of North Church Street. This picture shows the Mechanics Institution Hall. The Hall was 110 ft long, 59 ft wide and 40 ft high, It had a floor space of 8,400 sq ft. It was lit by 5 clusters of 81 gas jets. The balcony was fitted with easy cushioned stalls, and the ground floor with chairs. (See R Iliffe and W Baguley's book 'Victorian Nottingham', Vol 14). The Mechanics Institute stood at the junction of Milton Street, Burton Street and Trinity Square, opposite the old entrance to Victoria Station (now Victoria Centre) and the Victoria Station Hotel. It comprised of a group of buildings; The Mechanic's Institute large hall, a members refreshment room, a former Baptist Chapel built in a Romanesque style which was purchased by the Mechanics in 1912 and was known as The Queens Hall. Later the large hall became a cinema and was called Mechanics Pictures. (All these Victorian buildings have been demolished and replaced by Birkbeck House, a somewhat ugly 'modern' office block, which itself is again waiting for re-development. The Mechanics Institute was incorporated into this building.)