Birkenhead Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birkenhead Town Hall |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Classical |
| Classification | |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated: | 29 July 1950 |
| Reference #: | 1201582 |
| Address | Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 5BR |
| Coordinates | 53°23′36″N 3°00′52″W / 53.39333°N 3.01444°W |
| Construction started | 1883 |
| Completed | 1887 |
| Renovated | 2001 |
| Height | 200 ft (clock tower) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Christopher Obee Ellison |
| Architecture firm | C O Ellison & Son |
Birkenhead Town Hall is a grand public building in Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, England. It used to be the main office for the local government of Birkenhead. Later, it became offices for the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral council. Today, Birkenhead Town Hall is still the place where people register important life events like births, marriages, and deaths. Since the Wirral Museum closed in 2010, people are thinking about what this historic building will be used for next. It is a special building, listed as Grade II*, which means it's very important and protected.
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History of Birkenhead Town Hall
When Hamilton Square was planned a long time ago, in the early 1800s, a special spot was set aside for a town hall. Local architect Christopher Ellison designed the building. It was built using strong stone called granite from Scotland and sandstone from a local quarry (a place where stone is dug out) in Storeton. The Town Hall officially opened its doors in 1887.
What was inside the Town Hall?
The building had a special room for council meetings and many offices. It also featured big rooms for concerts and events, known as the Assembly Rooms. The local court, where judges hear cases, is in a separate building behind the Town Hall, designed in the same style.
The clock tower is super tall, about 200 feet high (that's like 20 stories!). It has four clock faces, so you can tell the time from different directions. After a fire in 1901, the top part of the clock tower was rebuilt by an architect named Henry Hartley. This new part included a beautiful stained glass window. It shows a picture of King Edward I visiting Birkenhead Priory way back in 1277.
Changes over the years
Even after the County Borough of Birkenhead local government ended in 1974, the building was still used as council offices. In the early 1990s, work was done to fix the outside stone and many of the beautiful decorations inside. This included the old council meeting room.
The Wirral Archives Service, which collects and stores historical documents about the Wirral area, was located in the building until 2008. They moved to another council building nearby. Their collection includes old papers and photos from the famous Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead.
Between 2001 and 2010, a big part of the building was home to the Wirral Museum. The museum had different exhibits, including the history of Wirral and a collection from Cammell Laird. You could also see old silver items, special pottery, and a detailed model of the Woodside area from 1934.
What is Birkenhead Town Hall used for now?
Birkenhead Town Hall still plays an important role in the community. It is the official place for registering births, marriages, and deaths. It's also used as a voting place during local and national elections.
The building is often used for celebrating important events. It is also the main spot in town for the yearly Remembrance Sunday ceremonies. Some of the grand rooms are also used for social events, like weddings.
Future of Birkenhead Town Hall
In 2009, the Wirral Borough Council, who owns the building, announced that it was available for sale or lease. They were looking for people or groups who could show they had a good plan for the future of this important building. The council wants to make sure the Town Hall continues to be used in a way that benefits the community.
