Dylan Thomas Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dylan Thomas Centre |
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Dylan Thomas Centre
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| Former names | Swansea Guildhall |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | neo-classical style |
| Location |  Swansea, Wales |
| Address | Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR |
| Coordinates | 51°37′09.00″N 3°56′09.00″W / 51.6191667°N 3.9358333°W |
| Completed | 1829 |
| Renovated | 1995 |
| Owner | City and County of Swansea Council |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Collingwood |
| Main contractor | Thomas Bowen |
| References | |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: The Old Guildhall (Former Annexe to Dynevor Comprehensive School) | |
| Designated: | 30 March 1987 |
| Reference #: | 11643 |
The Dylan Thomas Centre is a cool arts center in Swansea, Wales. It is located in the Maritime Quarter, which is a busy area near the water. This building is very special because it is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
The Centre's History
Building a New Town Hall
This building was made to replace an older town hall. That first town hall was near Swansea Castle and was built a long time ago, in the late 1500s. John Collingwood designed the new building in a neo-classical style. This means it looked like old Greek or Roman buildings. Thomas Bowen built it, and it was finished in 1829.
In 1852, the building was updated by Thomas Taylor. He designed it to look like the ancient Temple of Jupiter Stator in Rome.
Changing Uses Over Time
The building had many different jobs over the years. In 1934, the city leaders moved to a new town hall. After that, this building became a place to help young people find jobs.
During the Second World War, the army used it as a place to sign up new soldiers. After the war, it went back to helping young people with jobs. In 1960, it became a College of Further Education. Then, in 1970, it was used as an extra building for Dynevor School. It finally closed its doors in 1982.
Reopening as the Dylan Thomas Centre
The building got a new life in 1995. It was officially reopened as the Dylan Thomas Centre. A very famous person, former American President Jimmy Carter, helped open it. Trevor Burtonshaw, who was the leader of the Swansea City Council at the time, was also there.
In 2012, a big part of the Centre was rented out to the University of Wales. They wanted to use it as a business center for creative industries. This helped new businesses grow in Swansea.
What You Can Do There
The "Love the Words" Exhibition
In October 2014, the Centre opened a special exhibition called "Love the Words." This is a permanent display that helps visitors learn about the life and work of the famous Welsh writer, Dylan Thomas. You can see letters, books, notes, and photos that tell his story. This exhibition was made possible with almost £1 million in support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Events and Festivals
The Dylan Thomas Centre is a busy place all year round. It hosts many literary events, which are all about books and writing. These include new book launches, plays, and poetry evenings. There are also changing exhibitions and even science talks.
Every year, the Centre holds the annual Dylan Thomas Festival. This festival takes place between Dylan Thomas's birthday (October 27) and the date he passed away (November 9). It is a time to celebrate his amazing writing and legacy.
See also
In Spanish: Dylan Thomas Centre para niños
