Picture of Stockton Literary and Philosophical Institute, dated 1963. It was built in 1839 as a Corporation Hall and became the Literary and Philosophical Institute in 1851. It was also the Northern Echo Office 1900-1964 before being demolished 1964. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Laughs!…I recall during the early 50’s and at primary school, visiting Stockton Market on Saturdays with my mother. Having just learned to read…. I always wondered just who Lit and Phil were?
I wondered why the Council should build this venue in 1841 and sell it a mere 11 years later in 1851. According to Richmonds ‘The Local Records of Stockton…’ May 1852 saw the opening of the Borough Hall on the High Street, so maybe that is why it was sold. See elsewhere on this site for details of the Borough Hall.
It looks as if this fine building had a chequered history.
Originally built as the Corporation Hall in 1840, it was sold in 1851 and became the Mechanics Institute. Its principle function was a lending library and education classes. However by 1880s the town council had developed its own lending library, and schools and use of the Mechanics Institute had severely declined. In 1883 it rebranded itself in an attempt to generate more use and became the Stockton Institute of Literature and Science. By 1889 it was being referred to as the Stockton Literary Institute.
I suspect that it must have fallen on more hard times and was eventually taken over, or merged (?) with the Literary and Philosophical Society.
I remember the Stork and Castle Folk Club and some of the Now famous names that appeared there such as Babara Dickson and also Billy Connolly and Mike Harding who were all just ‘budding folk singers’ doing the circuit. One of the people I remember on the local scene was Alex McClean who also sang with a couple of local pop groups and was in a locl band with the now famous Bruce Thomas (bass player with Elvis Costello). Alex emigrated to Canada. He worked at North Tees Hospital in the early 60’s but at night was a great performer on the folk scene.
The book ‘A history of the Town and Borough of Stockton-on-Tees’ by Tom Sowler (1972) includes a transcript of the prospectus of the Stockton Literary and Philosophical Society, and Museum as issued in 1835. The principal objects of the Society were to establish a library and a museum for the town.
My grandfather, Everitt Jones, was an active member and office-holder of the Stockton Brethren from 1933 until shortly before his death in the 1960s. He was also for many years the President or Secretary of the Stockton Literary and Philosophical Society, which presumably shared these premises but about which I can find no reference on this website. My father, Trevor, recalled going into the old reading rooms in Dovecot Street. When the Society moved in to share the YMCA’s new premises off Church Row in the 1960s, my grandfather was presented to the Queen Mother at the opening ceremony. For some years after his death, his picture, and that of another stalwart, Mr Pickles, were located in the ‘new’ reading rooms. I would be interested in any memories or recollections about the Society.
I”m afraid I can”t help with the Stockton Brethren but I was wondering if you”re the same Laurie Sole who I used to trek around the Youth Hostels with in the 60″s ( mostly in a mini, which wasn”t really allowed!)accompanied by Eddie Dawes , folk singer and would-be potter? By the way does anyone out there remember great nights in the folk club at the Stork and Castle?
I have found a goldmine of pictures and information on this website which have come at a very opportune time for myself as I am just starting to compile a history of The Stockton Brethren. The Stockton Brethren was formed in 1914 by a group of Stockton business men who felt the need to meet once a month to discuss business, listen to a lecture, break for refreshments and then settle down for some musical entertainment. The same format is still used today, however the business side of the evening has been replaced by social conversation. The first meeting place was Trowsdale”s Cafe in Dovecote Street and over the years they have met in various cafe”s, the Literary and Philosophical Institute, the Y.M.C.A, the Masonic Hall and currently All Saints Church in Hartburn. I have seen some of these buildings on this website but I need to determine the dates when the Stockton Brethren met in them as there may have been a Trowsdale”s Cafe in Dovecote street but sadly we do not have any photographs of the original cafe or even know its exact location. Some time after that, The Stockton Brethren moved to the Literary and Philosophical Institute in Dovecote street. I would be very grateful to anyone who has memories or information on Trowsdale”s Cafe or it”s whereabouts or about anywhere else that The Stockton Brethren met.