Florence Institute

The Florence Institute for Boys
The Florence Institute in its restored state in December 2014
Location within Merseyside
General information
Architectural style	Jacobean
Town or city	Liverpool
Country	England
Coordinates	53°23′01″N 2°58′08″W / 53.383615°N 2.968752°W / 53.383615; -2.968752
Construction started	1889
Completed	1890
Client	Sir Bernard Hall
Design and construction
Architect	H W Keef

The Florence Institute for Boys known colloquially as 'The Florrie' is a local landmark and a Grade IIlisted building on Mill Street in Dingle, South Liverpool, England (grid reference SJ356878).

Probably designed by H W Keef, it was built in 1889 by Sir Bernard Hall, a West Indies merchant, Alderman and former Mayor of Liverpool. His daughter Florence died while in Paris at the age of 22 and he built this boys' club as a memorial and tribute to her at his sole expense.

The building itself was a fine example of late Victorian architecture with delicate use of terracotta, and originally it had splendid interiors, from the great hall to the top lit gym to the library.

The Florence Institute was officially opened as a boys club in 1890, four years after the opening of a similar establishment, the Gordon Working Lads Institute in Kirkdale on the other side of the city. However it was the first building in Britain to be specifically constructed as a boys' youth club.

As a magistrate Bernard Hall knew all too well the product of poverty and lack of recreation for youth in the area, and as stated by the plaque on the building, he created what he hoped would be 'an acceptable place of recreation and instruction for the poor and working boys of this district of the City'.

For a hundred years the 'Florrie' served the working and unemployed youth of the tough dock-side area. Weekend camps were held at Heswall on the Wirral Peninsula, reached by 6d ferry and bus return ticket. Summer camps were held in the Lake District away from the smoke, grime and pestilence of the inner city. A variety of sports and outdoor pursuits were provided for the community, including football, boxing and baseball to name a few. Gymnastics also was a part of the activities available for the local community. On the weekends dances were provided.