[2] The Reverend Thomas Burns was instrumental in the formation of the institution, alongside James Macandrew, William Cargill, and John McGlashan.

[2] The original aims of the institution were:‘Lectures and classes for public instruction upon such subjects as natural philosophy, history, astronomy, geology, chemistry, political economy, music, languages, etc., and also to have regular fortnightly meetings of the members for mutual improvement by essays, reading and conversational inquiry.

[2] As one of very few community buildings in Dunedin at that time, the rooms were used for other events such as Provincial Council and Town Board meetings.

[2] The new building was sited on the corner of Manse and High Streets, next to the Princess Theatre, and was completed in June 1862.

[2] By the late 1860s, membership had increased due to the Otago gold rush, and the second building was no longer large enough.

[6] Heritage New Zealand considers that Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics' Institute building is of special significance as a "rare urban survivor" of the pioneering adult education organisations of the mid-1800s.