Saltaire's Buildings

This book explores the range of significant events that took place in some of the most important public buildings conceived and established by Sir Titus Salt and his fifth son, Titus Salt Junior, as part of his vision for the industrial community of Saltaire. From as early as 1855 Salt had ensured that public space was available to the new and growing community of Saltaire through the building of a Dining Hall, opposite the Mill. Conceived as a building to provide cheap meals for the workforce, its extensive space was also to initially house a ‘factory school’, a library, a reading room, be the venue for topical or political meetings, entertainment and much more. Between 1868 and 1872 the building of residential houses in Saltaire was accompanied by the erection of some important public buildings on either side of what was named Victoria Road. These public buildings were intended to provide for children’s education, suitable adult leisure and self-improvement pursuits, health care and the teaching of art and science. The Technical Institute, Exhibition Building and the Infirmary/Hospital – in common with the Dining Hall – all witnessed events over time that reflected significant political, economic and social upheaval and change. The events that took place within these prominent buildings – still standing today – and the times that forged them provide a rich tapestry of social history from the Victorian era to modern times.