Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum |
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Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, 2014
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| Location | 144 Goondoon Street, Gladstone, Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1933–1934 |
| Architect | Roy Chipps |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Website | http://gallerymuseum.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au |
| Official name: Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, Gladstone Town Hall and Council Chambers | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 7 July 1998 |
| Reference no. | 601333 |
| Significant period | 1930s (historical) 1930s (fabric) 1933–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | tower – fly, memorial – honour board/ roll of honour, council chamber/meeting room, views to, hall, strong room |
| Builders | Relief workers |
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The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is a special building in Gladstone. It used to be the town hall and council offices. Now, it's a place where you can see art and learn about local history.
This building was designed by an architect named Roy Chipps. It was built between 1933 and 1934 by people who needed work during a tough economic time. It's also known as the Gladstone Town Hall and Council Chambers. This historic site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on July 7, 1998.
Contents
History of the Gladstone Art Gallery
How the Town Hall Was Built
The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum building started as the Gladstone Town Hall and Municipal Chambers. It was built in 1933–34. For about 33 years, it served as the town hall. Later, it became a place for shows and events until 1980. In 1985, it was changed into the art gallery and museum we see today.
Gladstone was first set up by the New South Wales government in 1853–54. This happened before Queensland became its own state. The town became an official municipality in 1863. The very first town hall was built in 1868 on Goondoon Street.
Gladstone faced some tough times in the late 1800s. But things got better around 1896 when a meatworks opened and the railway line reached Gladstone. This helped the town grow a lot. However, problems like cattle diseases and a big drought caused difficulties again. The town found new ways to grow, like starting a dairy industry. Many buildings in Gladstone were rebuilt or fixed up during this time.
Building During Tough Times
Building the new town hall was a big project that Gladstone needed for a long time. It became possible because the Queensland Government offered special low-interest loans. They also helped pay for workers during the 1930s, when many people didn't have jobs. This was a way to create work and help the economy. Other buildings built in Gladstone during this period to create jobs included the Commonwealth Bank Building (1929), the Post Office (1932), and the Court House (1940–42).
In late 1932, the Gladstone Town Council asked for a government loan to build a new town hall. They held a competition for architects to design it. Roy Chipps from Rockhampton won the competition.
The Queensland Department of Labour gave the council money to hire workers. These were people who were unemployed and needed work. They were given jobs for 13 weeks at a time. This was a big help for many families during the economic depression.
Construction and Opening
Work on the building began around September 1933. Bricks for the building came from Rockhampton. The first plan was only for council offices. But during construction, the council decided to make the building bigger. They wanted to add a public hall and a stage. The main council room was changed into a hall. A stage and a special tall section above it, called a fly tower, were added. This extra work was paid for with another government loan.
The new Gladstone Town Hall and Municipal Chambers officially opened on Saturday, September 15, 1934. The front of the building was decorated with many colorful flags for the event. People thought the building looked very grand and beautiful. The council offices were at the front, facing Goondoon Street. A special board honoring soldiers from the First World War was moved to the new council meeting room. Behind the offices was the large public hall. There was also a basement area that was used as a supper room.
A Community Hub
The Gladstone Town Council held its first meeting in the new building on October 8, 1934. The old council building was then rented out to the RSSLIA (a group for returned soldiers). The new Town Hall quickly became a very important place for the community.
Many different activities happened there. There was a weekly baby clinic, and movies were shown three times a week. People would bring canvas chairs to watch. The hall also hosted dances, stage shows, bingo games, and meetings for many community groups. In 1956, a children's library opened in the basement. A small adult library followed in 1957.
In 1947, a special event happened at the Town Hall. A plaque was unveiled to celebrate the 173rd anniversary of Matthew Flinders' birth. Flinders was an explorer who had named and explored Port Curtis in 1802.
Changes Over Time
Within ten years of opening, people were already talking about building a bigger Civic Centre. These plans were put off several times. When a new Civic Centre was finally built in 1958–59, it didn't have council offices. In 1966, more work was done on the Civic Centre. The Gladstone Town Council started meeting there in December 1967. After this, the old Town Hall was mainly used for entertainment and meetings. The library in the basement also moved to the new Civic Centre.
In the late 1970s, the Gladstone City Council built a new library and art gallery. They also planned a new City Theatre. These new buildings meant the 1934 Town Hall was no longer needed for its original purposes. In 1980, the new City Theatre opened.
Then, in 1984–85, the Gladstone City Council decided to turn the old Town Hall into an art gallery and museum. The goal was to give people in Gladstone a place to see art and learn about the area's history. The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum officially opened on April 3, 1985. To make it an art gallery, some changes were made inside. For example, the arch over the stage was filled in.
What the Building Looks Like
Outside the Gallery
The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is located on the corner of Bramston Street and Goondoon Street. Goondoon Street is the main street in Gladstone. The building is made of stone and has one main floor, plus a basement. It's designed in a classic style, which means it looks a bit like old Greek or Roman buildings.
The main entrance is on Goondoon Street. It has a special porch area with round columns and an arched top that says "TOWN HALL." The main door is also arched and has fancy double doors with a window above them. On each side of the entrance, there are arched windows and flat columns built into the wall. The top of this side of the building has a decorative wall and a flagpole. The roof behind this wall is sloped and covered with corrugated iron. The whole building is covered in a smooth finish, and the decorations are made of molded plaster.
The sides of the building have windows that can slide up and down. These windows have decorative fanlights above them with a pattern of lines spreading out like sunbeams. This pattern is used in many windows throughout the building. On the Bramston Street side, there's another entrance. Steps with fancy iron lamp stands lead up to an arched doorway. At the far end of the building, there's a concrete structure called the fly tower.
Inside the Gallery
Inside, the building has a central hallway. Rooms are on both sides of this hallway. The hallway opens up into the large space that used to be the main hall. The entrance area has wooden panels on the walls up to the height of the door frames. The doors and the windows above them also have the spreading line pattern.
To the north of the hallway is the room that used to be the Council chamber. This room has a very nice wooden board that lists the names of soldiers from the First World War. The old Council chamber and the hallway are connected by a small opening with a sloped surface, like a desk. On the south side of the hallway, there are two more rooms and a very strong, secure room.
The large room that was once the hall has been updated to become an art gallery. The windows in this room are now covered. The arch that was over the stage has been removed, and a wall now separates the old stage area from the main hall. The room has visible air conditioning ducts and a special lighting system that hangs from the ceiling. The ceiling is curved and has exposed wooden beams. The fly tower is now used for storage, with an extra level above the old stage area. The basement area, which can be entered from Bramston Street, is also used for storage.
Why the Gallery is Important
The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's a very important building.
Showing History
This building, built in 1933–34 as the Gladstone Town Hall, shows how Gladstone grew as a major regional town. It was one of several public buildings built in Gladstone during the 1930s to create jobs. These buildings helped Gladstone look more modern in the 20th century. The former town hall is still one of the most impressive buildings in the town.
A Special Design
Even though it was changed into an art gallery and museum in 1984–85, the building still looks much like it did. It shows what a regional town hall from the 1930s looked like, with its classic design. It's also a great example of the public buildings designed by architect Roy Chipps.
Beautiful to Look At
The building is on a corner block on Gladstone's main street. It stands out and adds a lot to the look of the street and the town.
Important to the Community
The local community values this building very much. It has a strong connection to the town's government and community events since the 1930s. Today, it's the main place where Gladstone's history is kept and shared. People also appreciate its beautiful design.
