Berry Courthouse facts for kids

The Berry Courthouse is a special old building in Berry. It used to be a place where legal cases were heard. Now, it's a popular spot for events like weddings.

This historic building is located at 58 Victoria Street. It was designed by a famous architect named James Barnet. The courthouse was built between 1890 and 1891. Two local builders, Antonio and Peter Ettinghausen, constructed it. Today, the Shoalhaven City Council owns the property. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2005. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.

History of the Berry Courthouse

How the Courthouse Came to Be

The land for the Berry Courthouse was a gift from David Berry. He offered the land before July 1889. Mr. Berry wanted the building to be very grand. The government's Justice Department thought his ideas were too big. This caused a delay in the land transfer.

Just before he passed away in 1889, David Berry signed the papers. This officially gave the land to the Government of New South Wales. By July 1889, about £1500 was approved for the new courthouse. The plans were then sent to the NSW Public Works Department.

Who Designed and Built It?

The design of the courthouse is believed to be by James Barnet. He was the Colonial Architect at that time. Unfortunately, the original drawings are missing. Barnet often designed buildings to stand alone. They were usually set back from other buildings. This allowed for nice gardens around them.

Builders were invited to bid for the construction job. The tender of A & P Ettinghausen was accepted on June 17, 1890. Their bid was £1,593/10/00. Antonio and Peter Ettinghausen were local craftsmen. Peter was also an undertaker. He might have been the one responsible for the beautiful cedar woodwork inside.

Building Completion and Early Use

The building was finished in 1891. It cost about £1,658/10/7. This courthouse was one of 25 new government buildings built that year.

The courthouse was also used for important town events. For example, the Governor, Lord Jersey, visited in 1893. He was welcomed at the courthouse. Then he went to the showground for the Agricultural Society Show.

In 1894, the courthouse gardens were improved. Many trees and shrubs were planted. The area around the courthouse was fenced a few years later. Around 1960, a new judges' bench was added.

Changes Over Time

The Court of Petty Sessions in Berry closed on July 30, 1988. After that, the back rooms of the courthouse were used as a police station. This continued until 1994.

In September 1994, the courthouse was put up for auction. Before the sale, many of the original cedar fittings were removed. These included the jury box and seating. Anthony A. Graham bought the courthouse in 1995. More cedar fittings were removed later to create more open space.

The Shoalhaven City Council bought the courthouse in 1999. This purchase happened because local Berry residents strongly supported it. They wanted to save the building. A group called the Berry Courthouse Conservation Committee Inc. was formed. This committee now leases the building from the council.

Today, the Berry Courthouse is a popular place for events. It hosts weddings and other functions.

What the Berry Courthouse Looks Like

The courthouse stands in the middle of its land. It is set back from other buildings. This allows for a nice landscaped area around it. It is a simple but classic courthouse building. It was built using local materials.

The outside and inside are covered in a smooth finish. It has beautiful cedar wood fittings inside. The style is called Victorian Classical Academic.

Main Features

The front of the building has four classical columns. These columns support a covered entrance area called a portico. The portico has a unique wrought iron railing. Above the entrance, you can see the Royal Coat of Arms. This symbol sits within the triangular part, called the pediment.

There are three small rectangular windows above the entrance. These are called clerestory windows. They show how the front of the building is divided into three sections, or bays. Simple sash windows let light into the building. There are four on each side and one on either side of the main entrance. A simple decorative line connects the portico to the side walls.

Building Materials

The courthouse uses dressed sandstone for details. It has brick chimneys and timber panelled doors. The windows are timber double-hung. Inside, you can see original timber doors and decorative frames, called architraves. There is also an oval louvred vent.

The building was in very good condition in 2005. It has been well looked after over the years. Restoration work in 2000–2001 fixed the slate entrance steps. It also removed some newer additions inside.

The Berry Courthouse is special because it has survived for over 100 years. It is almost completely original. It also shows what a typical country courthouse looked like inside.

Why the Berry Courthouse is Important

The Berry Courthouse is a very important historical site. It operated as a courthouse for almost 100 years, from 1891 to 1988. This shows us how law and order developed in New South Wales.

Connections to Important People

The courthouse has a strong link to the Berry family. David Berry gave the land for the building. He and his brother, Alexander Berry, helped develop the town of Berry.

It is also connected to James Barnet, the Colonial Architect. He designed the building. The Berry Courthouse was one of the last public buildings he designed. Another important person, Walter Liberty Vernon, supervised its construction. He became the next Government Architect.

Its Beautiful Design

The Berry Courthouse is a great example of a small country courthouse. It was designed in the Classical Academic style. Its elegant design shows Barnet's ideas for courthouse architecture. It stands out in its landscaped setting. The building looks grand and serious. This shows its role as the center of justice in the town.

A Valuable Resource

The courthouse still shows the building methods from its time. Many of these methods are not used today. For example, how the Royal Arms symbol was made in NSW. This makes the building valuable for research. It helps us understand how things were built in the 19th century.

The Berry Courthouse was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2005. This means it meets certain important standards.

• It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales.

The courthouse was used for law and order in Berry for many years. It shows how government and justice developed in the region. It is also one of the last designs by James Barnet.

• It is linked to important people in New South Wales history.

David Berry donated the land for the courthouse. He and his family greatly helped develop Berry. The building was designed by James Barnet and supervised by Walter Liberty Vernon.

• It has a beautiful design and shows great skill.

The Berry Courthouse is a fine example of a small country courthouse. Its design shows the talent of James Barnet. The building methods used are also unique. It is a landmark in the town, showing its purpose as a place of justice.

• It has a special connection with the community.

The people of Berry wanted this courthouse built. They still care deeply about it today. The community worked hard to save it after it stopped being a courthouse. It connects the people of Berry to their past.

• It can teach us more about history.

The original building is mostly intact from 1891. We can learn a lot about the skills of the designers and builders from that time. It also has records of what a typical country courthouse looked like inside.

• It is a rare example of its kind.

This courthouse is one of James Barnet's last designs. It shows his many years of experience. It's also rare because two different architects, Barnet and Vernon, were involved in its creation.

• It shows the main features of similar places in New South Wales.

The Berry Courthouse is a rare example of a small country courthouse designed by Barnet. His courthouses were important landmarks in many country towns. They showed the importance of justice in the community.