Carcoar School of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carcoar School of Arts |
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| Location | Icely Street, Carcoar, Blayney Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | School of Arts Trustees |
| Official name: Carcoar School of Arts; Municipal Council Chambers | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 266 |
| Type | School of Arts |
| Category | Community Facilities |
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The Carcoar School of Arts is a special old building in Carcoar, Australia. It used to be a place where the local council met and had a library. Now, it's a busy community center and even has a museum inside! This historic building is located on Icely Street and is officially protected because of its importance to the area's history. It's also known as the Municipal Council Chambers. The building is owned by the School of Arts Community Hall Carcoar Inc. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Look Back: The Story of the School of Arts
The Carcoar School of Arts building is one of the more recent public buildings in Carcoar. It shows how important Carcoar once was, being the second biggest town west of the Blue Mountains. In the past, this building was used as the Municipal Council Chambers, which is where the local government met. Later, it became a community center for different events and meetings.
Building the School of Arts
The School of Arts building officially opened its doors in July 1901. It was designed by an architect named Mr. Copeman from Bathurst. Local builders, Messrs. Watson and Darrington, constructed the building. The total cost to build it was £1011, which was a lot of money back then! The building was designed in a style called Victorian Classical, but it also had some newer influences from the Federation period.
Changes Over Time
In 1983, the building had some important repair work done. This included sealing the outside walls, fixing dampness, repairing plaster, improving drainage, and painting.
More recently, in December 2017, the people in charge of the building announced they were looking for money to make urgent repairs. This shows how much care is needed to keep old buildings like this in good shape.
What's Inside Now?
Today, besides being a community center, the building is also home to the Carmenhurst Military Museum. You can find this museum on the second floor.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Carcoar School of Arts is part of a special area in Carcoar that is protected by the National Trust of Australia. This means the area has important historical buildings.
Design and Materials
The building has a T-shape and is made from muddy-grey bricks that were made right there in the local area. Its design mixes the Victorian Classical style, which you can see in older Carcoar buildings like the courthouse and railway station, with a strong influence from the Federation period. You can especially see this newer style in its roof and the colorful windows.
Key Features
The main classical style is clear in how balanced the building looks. It has a central pediment (a triangular shape often found above doors or windows), decorative bands of stone or brick called string courses, and plastered sections called bays.
Inside the Building
The front part of the building has two floors. On the ground floor, you'll find a supper room, kitchen, dressing rooms, and toilets. Upstairs, there's a meeting room. The main part of the building is a single-story hall with a stage. The inside of the hall also shows the classical style with its plastered decorations.
Why is it a Heritage Site?
The Carcoar School of Arts was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
Beautiful Design
Even though it's one of the newer public buildings in Carcoar, its design fits in well with the other older, large buildings around it. It's a key part of the historic center of the village.
Important to the Community
The building has always been important to the people of Carcoar. It was once where the local council met and where people could go to the School of Arts (which often included a library and a place for learning). This shows its strong connection to the community. Today, it continues to be the main place for community events, dances, and social gatherings.
