Brown's Mart facts for kids
Brown's Mart is a really old and important theatre in Darwin, Australia. You can find it right in the city centre, at the corner of Smith Street and Harry Chan Avenue. It's a special place where people enjoy plays and other arts events.
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A Look Back: The Story of Brown's Mart
Brown's Mart is the oldest building in Darwin's city centre. It was built way back in 1885. A man named Mr. Brown, who was a trader and even a Mayor of Darwin, had it built. It was first used as a "Mining Exchange." This was a place where people bought and sold things related to mining.
Who Designed This Old Building?
The building was designed by John George Knight. He was a Government Secretary and an architect. Mr. Knight also designed other important buildings in Darwin. These included the Town Hall, the Residency, the Courthouse, and the Police Station. He even designed the old Gaol (jail) at Fannie Bay.
What Did Brown's Mart Look Like?
Brown's Mart has a simple, rectangular shape. This was common for buildings built a long time ago in Australia. It has cool semi-circular arches over its front windows and doorway. There are also simple decorations around these openings.
Many Lives of Brown's Mart
Over the years, this building has been used for many different things! It was a place for business and storage. It was also a shipping and insurance office. People held auctions and meetings there. It even served as a bank, a defence building, and a Navy workshop. Later, it was used for law and policing.
Becoming a Theatre
In August 1972, Brown's Mart became a theatre. This happened thanks to Ken Conway, who was Darwin's first full-time community arts officer. He got a grant of $8,000 to help start it. This theatre grew into the Brown's Mart Community Arts Project. It helps people create their own art projects in the community.
Surviving Through the Years
Brown's Mart is a very strong building! It has survived many big storms, called cyclones. These include cyclones in 1897, 1937, and the huge Cyclone Tracy in 1974. It also stood strong during Cyclone Marcus in 2018. The building even survived bombings during wartime in 1942 and 1943.
Recognized as a Heritage Site
Because it's so old and important, Brown's Mart is a protected building. It was added to the Northern Territory Heritage Register on March 20, 1996. It was also listed on the old Register of the National Estate on October 21, 1980.
