The Institution building on, Terrace Walk, Bath had housed the collections, lectures, Libraries and all manner of events for 108 years.
The demolition of the building, which began in December 1932, took eight months, such was the enormity of the task.
Many believed the building to be of outstanding architectural importance, and lobbied that some alternative to demolition be found. Many suggestions were put forward by such bodies as : Old Bath Preservation Society, Bath City Council and others regarding a relocation of the building ( the Portico being of particular importance) however no solution was found.

By September 1933 no trace of the Institution building remained on the site.

" Work is underway to recreate the original Terrace Walk building using, Computer Aided Design. This task is hindered however by the lack of photographs, technical information, dimensions, colour and details of the original building!
Nevertheless great progress has been made and the results can be seen from this link."

Few photographs remain of the Original Institution building. This one is believed to have been taken some time in the 1920's.

Also in this photograph the 'Bath Abbey' can be clearly seen in the background.

In this photograph the front entrance of the Institution can be seen clearly; the impressive Portico was unmistakable. Many believed ( and still do ) that this Portico was part of the, Harrisons ( later renamed Kingston) Assembly rooms which stood on this site until 1820. Much controversy surrounded the pedigree of this Portico, the original being designed by, William Wilkins ( who went on to design: The London University College, The National Gallery London etc.) in 1808.
Tragically, only ten years after the Portico's completion in 1810, the Kingston Assembly rooms was destroyed by fire on the night of December 21st 1820. Many accounts of the period describe the fire which completely destroyed the building. However sources suggest that the Portico remained intact and was incorporated ( beginning the next year 1821) into the new Institution building seen here.

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