Goulburn's Mechanics' Institute building is located on the corner of Auburn and Montague Streets. The Institute was the first in the south-east region of NSW to be established, with the inaugural meeting held at the Commercial Hotel on 27 Sep 1853. The Institute's first activities were concerned with conducting lectures and the formation of a library. Later, classes of instruction were added with the library becoming the focal point. Recreational activities were also added, as a means of attracting and maintaining stable membership. Goulburn Mulwaree Library holds many of the original records and memorabilia of the Mechanics Institute which was it's founding institution.