Halifax Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Halifax Town Hall |
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Town Hall in 2007
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Classical style |
| Town or city | Halifax |
| Country | England |
| Construction started | 1861 |
| Completed | 1863 |
| Cost | £50,126 |
| Client | Halifax Council |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Sandstone |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Charles Barry Edward Middleton Barry |
Halifax Town Hall is a very important and beautiful building in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in the 19th century, which means it's over 150 years old! This amazing building is known for its special design by famous architects Charles Barry and his son, Edward Middleton Barry. It also features cool sculptures by John Thomas.
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What is a Town Hall?
A town hall is like the main office for a town or city. It's where the local government works. Imagine a place where important decisions about your town are made, like how to improve parks or what new rules are needed. That's what happens at Halifax Town Hall! It's where the mayor and local council members meet to help run the town and serve the people who live there.
Building a Grand Hall
Work on Halifax Town Hall started in 1861 and it was finished in 1863. It cost about £50,126 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then! The building is made from Sandstone and designed in a Classical style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek or Roman buildings, with grand columns and detailed decorations.
The main architect, Charles Barry, was very famous. He also designed the Houses of Parliament in London! His son, Edward Middleton Barry, helped him with the Halifax Town Hall project. They wanted to create a building that looked strong and important, showing how proud the people of Halifax were of their town.
Inside the Town Hall
When you step inside Halifax Town Hall, you'll find many interesting rooms. There's a special room called the Council Chamber where the local council members meet. There's also the Mayor's Office, where the mayor works.
One of the most impressive parts is the Victoria Hall. This is a large, open space with a beautiful glass roof, like a giant skylight! It lets in lots of natural light, making the hall feel bright and grand. You can see many artistic details and sculptures throughout the building, which were created by John Thomas. These artworks tell stories and add to the building's amazing look.
A Special Place for Halifax
Halifax Town Hall is more than just an office building. It's a symbol of the town's history and its community. It's a "grade II listed" building, which means it's officially recognized as an important historical building that needs to be protected. For over a century and a half, it has been at the heart of Halifax, serving its people and standing as a proud landmark.
Images for kids
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Building in context: compare with 1860 plan
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Alexandra of Denmark, 1863
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Edward, Prince of Wales, 1863
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West elevation
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Spire
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Entrance stairwell
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Victoria Hall: a glass-roofed atrium
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Council chamber, 1901
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Maclise painting in stairwell
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Town hall in 2005
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Town hall in 2006
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Town hall in 2006
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Town hall spire in 2007
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Prince of Wales' chair, made 1863
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Victoria Hall, ground floor, created 1863
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Victoria Hall, glass ceiling panel, made 1863
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Council Chambers
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Mayor's Office
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Victoria Hall
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Stairs
