The Plymouth Athenaeum

The Plymouth Athenaeum is a theatre and library located at Derry's Cross in Plymouth, serving as both a cultural venue and an archive for local knowledge. The building houses a performance space for public events and a research collection with materials focused on the region's past and present.

The institution was established in 1812 under the name Plymouth Institution, with an original building designed by a prominent architect of that era. It was destroyed during wartime bombing and later rebuilt in the early 1960s to continue its public mission.

The venue serves as a community hub where people come together to share knowledge and engage with local subjects through regular group activities. Visitors can participate in meetings focused on literature, creative pursuits, and natural sciences that reflect what matters to people here.

The venue is located at a central point in Plymouth and welcomes visitors to attend public events and lectures held throughout the year. A membership option allows visitors to gain access to the library collection and participate in the various group activities offered on site.

A celebrated naturalist prepared for a famous sea voyage at this location in 1831, an event that would shape his later scientific work and discoveries. This connection links the institution to one of history's most significant expeditions of exploration and study.

Location: Plymouth

Inception: 1812

GPS coordinates: 50.36880,-4.14580

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04