The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen
Non-Profit Organization ManagementNew York, United States11-50 Employees
The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York is a nonprofit organization founded in 1785 by the city’s skilled craftsmen. Based in New York City, it offers educational, philanthropic, and cultural programs, including a tuition-free Mechanics' Institute, the General Society Library, and a century-old Lecture Series. The organization supports the building and construction industry by providing tuition-free evening education intended to improve employment opportunities and develop a trained workforce. The Mechanics' Institute began in 1820 as one of the city's first free schools and the Apprentices' Library, later becoming the Mechanics' Institute in 1858, and it remains the oldest privately supported technical school in New York City. Each fall, more than 350 students enroll in its programs, which encompass topics such as Construction Documents and Design, Electrical Technology, HVAC Systems Design, Plumbing Design, Project Management, Facilities Management, and Historic Preservation.