Foresters' Hall, Paddington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Foresters' Hall, Paddington |
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| Location | 16 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Alexander Brown Wilson |
| Official name: Foresters' Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 18 April 1997 |
| Reference no. | 601662 |
| Significant period | 1888, 1894 (fabric) 1888-1996 (historical) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - caretaker's quarters, gallery, stage/sound shell |
| Builders | W Taylor |
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Foresters' Hall is a historic building in Paddington, Australia. It was built in 1888 as a meeting place for a group called the Ancient Order of Foresters. This hall was designed by architect Alexander Brown Wilson. Today, it is recognized as an important heritage site in Queensland.
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What is Foresters' Hall?
This timber hall was built a long time ago, between June and September in 1888. It was made for a group called the Ancient Order of Foresters' Friendly Society. The specific local branch was known as Court Foresters' Hope. The builder was W Taylor. The land for the hall was bought in 1885.
The Ancient Order of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters was a type of friendly society. These groups were very important in the 1800s and early 1900s. They helped people, especially working men and their families. Members paid a small amount of money regularly. If someone got sick, injured, or died, the society would help their family financially.
Friendly societies were a way for people to help each other. They were important because there wasn't much government help back then. These groups also had social activities and traditions. The Ancient Order of Foresters had a special link to the stories of Robin Hood. This was shown in their rituals and names.
The first Foresters' group in Australia started in 1843. In Queensland, the first group began in 1859. By 1881, several groups in Brisbane joined to form a larger district. Many new Foresters' groups started across Queensland during this time.
A Community Hub
Foresters' Hall was built in a busy part of Paddington. In the 1880s, Paddington was growing quickly. It was changing from a quiet area to a suburb where people lived and traveled to work. The hall became a key part of the Paddington community.
Not all friendly societies had their own buildings. Foresters' Hall was special because it did. It could hold many people, about 320. The hall was designed to earn money too. It had rooms at the front for shops. There were also rooms for a caretaker who lived there. Other rooms and the main hall were rented out to different local groups.
For example, in 1906, groups like the Salvation Army and the Ithaca Ratepayers Association used the hall. It was a busy place for community events.
Changes Over Time
The hall has seen some changes since it was built. At first, it had kerosene lamps for light. These were later changed to gas lighting. In 1894, the front of the hall was updated. The shop windows were replaced with the windows you see today. The inside gallery area was also changed. A new staircase was built to reach the gallery. The caretaker's home was moved to a basement apartment under the hall.
Throughout the 1900s, Foresters' Hall continued to serve the community. It was used for meetings by the Foresters and other local groups. It even served as a place where people could vote. The shops at the front were open until the late 1940s or 1950s.
In 1976, after 88 years, the Foresters sold the hall. Another friendly society, the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, bought it. They had rented the hall before. The hall continued to be a meeting place for friendly societies until 1996. In 2013, the building was being used by Vinnie's, a charity shop.
What Foresters' Hall Looks Like
Foresters' Hall is on Latrobe Terrace. It's a single-story timber building right next to the street. It has an awning that stretches over the footpath. The land slopes down at the back. This allowed for a small home to be built underneath the main hall.
The building is mostly rectangular. It sits on concrete stumps. The outside walls are made of timber boards. The roof is made of corrugated iron. The front of the building has a decorative top part called a pediment. The front entrance has fancy timber decorations and a wide door. There are also small arched windows on either side of the door.
Inside, the hall has a large main room. There are two rooms at the front and three at the back. The main entrance leads into a small entry area. From there, you go into the main hall. At the back of the hall is a stage area. There are also a kitchen and toilets behind the stage. The walls and ceilings inside are made of timber boards. There are also decorative vents in the main hall ceiling.
Downstairs, in the basement, there are four rooms. These rooms form a small home. They are also lined with timber boards. One room is a bathroom, and another is a kitchen.
Why Foresters' Hall is Important
Foresters' Hall is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's a special place that needs to be protected. It was added to the register on April 18, 1997.
A Glimpse into the Past
The hall shows us what life was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Friendly societies were a big part of society back then. They offered important help to people. This hall was a central place for one of these societies. The building also shows how Paddington grew from a quiet area into a busy suburb.
A Typical Old Hall
Foresters' Hall is a good example of a small Queensland hall from the 1800s. It still looks much like it did when it was first built.
Beautiful and Noticeable
The hall has interesting architectural details. It adds a lot to the look of Latrobe Terrace. It stands out in the Paddington area.
Important to the Community
Foresters' Hall is a local landmark for the Paddington community. It has provided many services to local people for over 100 years. It has a strong and long connection with the Foresters' group. Even after it was sold, it continued to be used by friendly societies for many years.
