1 Monk Street, Grade II listed building in Monk Street, Monmouth, Wales.
1 Monk Street is a Grade II listed building in central Monmouth positioned at the corner of St James Square. The structure spans multiple levels and showcases Victorian architectural details, incorporating a reading room, library, gallery space, committee room, and lecture hall.
The Working Men's Free Institute opened in 1868 after Mrs Matilda Jones funded its construction to provide education for laborers. The facility later transformed into an art gallery and shop, serving the community in a different capacity.
The name references a nearby monastery and reflects Monmouth's connection to its religious past. Local residents gathered here for talks about literature, science, and community issues that engaged working people in learning.
The building is centrally located in Monmouth and functions today as an art gallery and shop. Visitors can find it easily at the corner of Monk Street and St James Square in the town center.
During the harsh winter of 1890, the building transformed into a soup kitchen to support the local community through difficult times. This unexpected shift shows how the facility adapted when hardship arrived.
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