The Urunga Literary Institute comprised a small hall, a meeting room stocked with library books and a lean-to used as a supper room. In February 1902 tenders were called for the purchase and removal of the 1896 building, which by then was referred to as the ‘Schools of Arts Hall at Bellinger Heads. A new building by William Atherton opened in 1903, consisting of a library and reading room at the front of the building and a long supper/meeting room at the rear. In 1914 the building was extended with a large hall known as the Urunga Literary Institute Hall. Institute buildings were established in practically every town and were known by several names including Literary Institutes, Schools of Art and Mechanic’s Institutes. Communities were able to establish libraries, share knowledge, deliver lectures and hold classes on a wide range of topics.

In 1972 the Bellingen Council moved the front library/reading room section to Morgo Street (where it is now the museum), demolished the supper/meeting room and cut off the front of the Literary Institute Hall to make way for shops and a new brick Literary Institute Hall.

More to be added to this area over time.