We are going back to the future, bringing an old and favourite name back as we move forward into the future.
From Saturday, 17 October 2026, the activities of the Plymouth Athenaeum society will start to be rebranded as we return to using our original name, the Plymouth Institution.
The Society, which is dedicated to the study and promotion of learning in science, technology, literature and art, was founded on 17 October 1812 as the Plymouth Institution and our home has been at the Athenaeum building since 1819.
We also have a new – well, strictly an old – motto we are going back to as we think it represents everything the organisation should be about. While we cherish our past, what we do is For the present and for the future.
While we are looking forward to using our new name, website, logos and socials for our activities, such as our art and writers’ groups, one thing we definitely won’t be changing is the name of our iconic and much-loved building, the Athenaeum.
The organisation which we know today has its roots in three organisations that were founded in the first half of the 19th century, beginning with the Plymouth Institution.
The Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society was formed in 1838, and amalgamated with the Plymouth Institution in 1851. The merged organisation was known as the Plymouth Institution and Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society.
The Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute, which was formed in 1825, was absorbed into the Society in 1899.
The original Athenaeum building was destroyed during World War Two in 1941, resulting in the loss of the Society’s library, art and museum collections.
The Society was renamed ‘The Plymouth Athenaeum’ when it moved into the current Athenaeum building in June 1961, which is sited on the same location as its pre-Blitz home.
With major refurbishments currently taking place as part of the New Athenaeum Project, now is the perfect time for us to make the change.
And as we return to our original name, we are also refreshing our mission tagline to Inspiring learning in the arts and sciences – and that is what are aiming to continued doing well beyond our 214th birthday!
