 Founded in 1834 as a Mechanics Institute, the mission of The Guildford Institute is to provide an educational, cultural and social community hub in the heart of the town offering a special place for people of all backgrounds to meet, learn and explore.It runs a comprehensive range of programs and courses ranging from art history to science, and hosts a popular vegetarian/vegan restaurant.The Institute library contains a wide-ranging collection of books and an extensive archive covering all aspects of life in Guildford built up since the foundation.