Construction on the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute on Sturt Street began in 1859. As a Gold Rush city with a growing population of miners, a number of eminent philanthropic citizens of Ballarat were anxious to provide working men with a chance to improve their work skills and their general education. It took the dedication of locals another decade to complete the Sturt Street facade, and a further decade for the billard room to be completed. Built in the Classical style, the three storey Mechanics' Institute has a very restrained facade with minimal decoration. It features a beautiful bull nosed verandah edged with ornate cast iron lacework along the street to keep out the heat of the afternoon sun. Over the arched entrance, the letters of the Mechanic’s Institute are spelt in delicate, florid gilt letters. It also has a balcony extending from a scalloped niche on the first floor and a balconette on the upper floor. Crowning the building is the figure of Pallas Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Historically, Mechanics' Institutes were educational establishments formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. As such, they were often funded by local industrialists on the grounds that they would ultimately benefit from having more knowledgeable and skilled employees. The Mechanics' Institutes were used as 'libraries' for the adult working class, and provided them with an alternative pastime to gambling and drinking in pubs.