Mechanics' Institute. Beginning as early as 1855 in October 1866 the Newstead Debating and Reading Club officially became the Newstead Mechanics' Institute and, as you see on the facade, the building followed in 1868. To the right is Colquhoun's Store, built in 1868 and to the left, Rowe's Boot Shop, built in 1878. In the mid-1920s, Cusack's Motors was established on the land between the Book Shop and the Mechanics' Institute. Note the gas lamp and the sign on Mechanics' Institute announcing 'Skating every Saturday...'.