Just come across RootsChat while trying to dig up some info about 'the Institute' at St Columb Major, Kernow. My wife's family goes back there for centuries, and doing a bit more ancestry-filling, we came across her great grandfather's census entry for 1911. His home is listed simply as: 'Institute, Bank Street' and occupation as 'scavenger'!
That suggests the family had fallen upon hard times, as for all his working life he had been a groom. There was a 'poorhouse' or workhouse in St Columb, and these were sometimes called institutes, or institutions, but this was a purpose-built place, and became a hospital. So, not that. There was also The Mechanics Institute. But these were places of learning, further education and the betterment of the working class. Not that either. I am supposing that this was some sort of charitable organisation giving succour to the needy, and that my wife's forbear and his spouse had in some way fallen on hard times!
After trawling through many leads, I have however now positively identified 'The Institute' - picture and details on the following:
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3638511/St-Columb-Major-CAA-March-2010-Part1.pdfQuite what its role was is unclear, but it was built 1874 and later (obviously much after 1911) became the St Columb Gallery and Museum, also now defunct. That does, however, suggest a place of learning rather than succour. Best source for a clear answer no doubt is the Cornwall History Society.
Hope this is of some help!
