The original working mans association was held in the schoolrooms attached to Hartshill Church - it opened in January 1856:-

"At a preliminary meeting, held a few days ago, 65 members were enrolled; Herbert Minton, Esq., was appointed president; the Rev.W.D.Isaac, vice-president;  Colin Minton Campbell, Esq., treasurer; and Mr.Snelson, secretary.  The opening lecture will be delivered on Monday evening, by the vice-president. The newsroom, which will be supplied with 7 daily and 18 weekly newspapers, as well as leading periodicals, will be opened on the following day; and there will be classes for reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, &c. We are glad to see that the plan of the committee also embraces a provision for rational amusements. The terms of the membership are 4d per month."

Staffordshire Advertiser, 26 January 1856

Colin Minton Campbell financed the building of a purpose built institute and according to The Staffordshire Sentinel and Midlands County Advertiser of Saturday 15, 1859 building work started in October 1858.

The Institute opened on the 19th January 1859:-

"HARTSHILL WORKING MEN'S INSTITUTION, Inaugural Entertainment. The Committee have much pleasure in announcing to the Members and to the Public, that the New Building of the above Institution, will be opened on Monday 19th January, 1859, on which occasion the inaugural address will be delivered by the Rev. W.D.Isaac, to be followed by Addresses from others of the Gentry and the Clergy.  The Admission, on this evening, to the Body of the Hall, will be by ticket, Free, to be obtained from the Secretary and the Committee; a few reserved tickets for the Gallery, 1s each, to be had from the Secretary only."

Staffordshire Sentinel. 1 January 1859