Bundaberg School of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bundaberg School of Arts |
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Bundaberg School of Arts
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| Location | 184 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888–1889 |
| Architect | Anton Hettrich |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Bundaberg School of Arts | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600362 |
| Significant period | 1889–1940s (historical) 1880s–1890s (fabric) 1889–1940s (social) |
| Significant components | decorative features, verandahs – arcaded, school of arts |
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The Bundaberg School of Arts is a special old building in Bundaberg, Australia. It used to be a "school of arts," which was like a community learning and social centre. Today, it's still used for community events.
This beautiful building was designed by an architect named Anton Hettrich. It was built between 1888 and 1889. Because it's so important to history, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.
Contents
A Look Back at the School of Arts
The Bundaberg School of Arts is a strong brick building with a classic look. It was the third "school of arts" building built on this spot.
How Bundaberg Started
Bundaberg is in an area called the Burnett. Europeans first settled here in the 1840s and 1850s, mostly with large farms. In the late 1860s, people started looking for good farmland near the Burnett River.
The town of Bundaberg was officially planned in 1869. It grew quickly as a port and supply centre. Sugar farms became very important, making the city rich from the 1880s to the 1920s.
What Were Schools of Arts?
The first "Mechanics' Institutes" or "Schools of Arts" began in Britain in the early 1800s. They were places for people to learn and improve themselves. They offered lectures, discussions, and libraries.
At that time, there were no free public libraries. Books were expensive, so borrowing them was a big help. These schools became a main way for adults to learn. Governments helped by giving land, money for books, and building costs.
The first School of Arts in Queensland started in Brisbane in 1849. Its goal was to help the community learn about reading, philosophy, and science.
The First Bundaberg Buildings
In 1871, land was set aside for a School of Arts in Bundaberg. The town only had about 100 people then. The first building was a simple wooden structure. It had a reading room and a library, mostly with storybooks. It was also used for meetings and church services.
A new, bigger wooden School of Arts building was built on the same spot in 1880. The library got a big boost when Thomas McIlwraith, who later became Premier of Queensland, donated many English classic books. The library also bought 1400 more books, making it very good.
A Grand New Building
By the 1880s, Bundaberg was growing fast and becoming wealthy. The town needed a grander building for the School of Arts. The land it was on had become very valuable.
In 1887, the School of Arts committee asked to sell part of their land. They wanted to use the money to build a new, impressive building. They sold some land for £3400.
Anton Hettrich's Design
The new building was designed by Anton Hettrich. He was a local architect who came from Germany. He had already designed the Bundaberg Town Hall.
Hettrich won the competition to design the School of Arts in 1888. He was also a long-time member of the School of Arts committee. He even taught drawing and German there.
Work on the new building began in June 1888. The old building was moved to the back of the site so services could continue. The new building was finished in April 1889, costing £3300.
What Was Inside?
The new building had a library and rooms for rent on the ground floor. There was also a committee room. Upstairs, there was a large reading room, a natural history museum, and chess rooms. Everyone was very happy with the "elegant and substantial" new building.
Learning and Changes Over Time
From 1889, the School of Arts offered many practical classes. These included drawing, shorthand, typing, dressmaking, chemistry, and carpentry. These classes were so popular that a timber hall was built behind the main building in 1898. This hall had a stage and a piano.
However, in 1908, the government took over responsibility for technical education. This led to many Schools of Arts closing down.
Membership to the School of Arts was by paying a fee. Many important local people, including mayors, helped run the place. A gallery was added to the library in the early 1900s.
Even during the Great Depression, when many Schools of Arts struggled, Bundaberg's continued to do well. This was thanks to money from rentals and its excellent library.
Later Changes
In 1928, a new building next door blocked light to some rooms. So, the eastern verandah (a covered porch) was removed. The western verandah was removed a few years later.
Over time, people had more choices for education and fun. Also, a new law in 1943 created free public libraries. These things caused Schools of Arts to close across the state.
Bundaberg's museum collection was split up after World War II. But the building survived because of rental income and the library. In 1969, the Bundaberg and District Museum moved into the hall behind the building.
The School of Arts library was the only lending library in Bundaberg until the 1970s. In 1979, the building and its assets were given to the Bundaberg City Council. The library moved to a different building in 1981.
The Bundaberg Art Society then used the library room as an art gallery and offices. In 1988, the museum moved to a new building. The art gallery also moved out in the late 1990s. Today, the building is still used for cultural and community events.
What the Building Looks Like
The former School of Arts is a large, two-story brick building. It has a classic style and is in the middle of Bundaberg's main business area.
The building has a rectangular shape and a roof covered in corrugated iron. The roof is hidden from the street by a decorative wall with stone railings and cement urns.
Special Features
The most eye-catching part of the building is its two-story arcaded verandah (a covered walkway with arches) along the front. This verandah also wraps around for three sections on each side.
The arches are made of brick. On both levels, there's a central arch with a small triangle shape above it. This is flanked by larger arches. These arches have decorative columns called pilasters with fancy tops. There are also cast-iron railings between the columns. The spaces between the arches are decorated with a wreath and ribbon design.
Timber verandahs on each side of the building have been rebuilt to look like the originals. The walls behind them show the original brick.
Inside, the building is very well preserved. The ground floor has plastered brick walls and a central hall. From this hall, you can reach the old library and offices. The main staircase is curved and has two small alcoves and a window.
The doors have fancy carved panels above them, with a lyre and leaf design. This classic design fits a place dedicated to learning and the arts.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The former Bundaberg School of Arts was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed. It's part of a network of Schools of Arts that were important in towns across Queensland. Its size and style show how rich and important Bundaberg was as a sugar city. These schools helped spread information and provided places for learning and community events. They were a key step in adult education in Queensland.
- It shows the main features of its kind. The building is a great example of a large regional School of Arts. It had a library, reading room, committee room, and museum.
- It's beautiful. It's a well-designed and impressive building. Its look, size, and location make it a major part of Bundaberg's town view.
- It's important to the community. The building has a strong connection to the people of Bundaberg. It has been an educational and cultural place, and a source of local pride, for over a hundred years.
- It's linked to important people. The building is one of the most important works by the famous local architect Anton Hettrich. He was also a long-time member of the School of Arts committee and taught there.
