Irvinebank School of Arts Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Irvinebank School of Arts Hall |
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Irvinebank School of Arts Hall, 2009
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| Location | McDonald Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Irvinebank School of Arts Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 29 May 1995 |
| Reference no. | 601619 |
| Significant period | 1900s (historical) 1900s–1910s (fabric) 1900–ongoing (social) 1900s–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | school of arts |
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The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall is a historic building in Irvinebank, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1900 and served as a special community center. This building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, meaning it's an important part of Queensland's history and is protected. It has been a central place for people in Irvinebank for over a century.
A Look Back at Irvinebank's History
The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall was built around 1900. It was the third building used by the Irvinebank School of Arts Committee. This hall shows how much Irvinebank grew when it was a busy mining town.
The Story of John Moffat and Tin Mining
In 1880, a large amount of tin was found near Herberton. A smart businessman named John Moffat and his company, Glen Smelting Company, soon became very important in the mining industry there. Moffat came to Queensland from Scotland in 1862. He built his own business, which grew into a big company.
In 1883, while Moffat was away, his business partner, George Young, bought mines in a place called Gibb's Camp. This camp was later renamed Irvinebank, after Moffat's hometown in Scotland. The Loudoun Mill, which crushed tin and melted it, opened there on December 10, 1884. Moffat wanted Irvinebank to be a major industrial area in the Atherton Tablelands. He set up his businesses and his home, Loudoun House, in the town.
What Was a School of Arts?
A School of Arts Committee was started in Irvinebank by March 1885. With money from the community and a government grant, they built the first School of Arts building. This first building opened in July 1885, but it is no longer standing today.
Schools of Arts were popular places in many Queensland towns. They were also known as mechanics' institutes in other parts of Australia. These places were inspired by similar groups in England. They aimed to help more people learn and get an education. This was a big idea in the 1800s.
Usually, local communities would set up these schools and get money from the government. The buildings often had a reading room, a library where people could borrow books, and a public hall. This hall was used for talks and debates. When the Irvinebank School of Arts opened in 1885, it was very popular. People thought it was smart to spend a lot of money on books and newspapers, rather than just on the building itself.
Irvinebank's Growth and New Halls
Irvinebank grew very quickly in the late 1880s and 1890s. Tin mining was doing well, especially after the Vulcan Tin Mine opened in 1889. John Moffat later bought this mine, and it became one of the most successful tin mines in the area. Irvinebank also did well after 1894, when other nearby towns struggled because silver prices dropped.
Because Irvinebank was so successful, new School of Arts buildings were needed as the old ones became too small. In 1890, the first building was changed, and a bigger, stronger second School of Arts building was built. This second building was a simple wooden structure with a gabled roof.
By 1900, a third building was needed. Plans for a new School of Arts Hall were drawn up in September 1900. The person who drew the plans had the initials H.H.P., and it might have been Henry Pope, an architect who worked in North Queensland. The new building was designed with a large hall, which the earlier buildings didn't have. This meant that traveling vaudeville and dramatic groups could now perform in the town. The new hall even had a stage. In 1912, changes were made to the hall, making the stage one of the largest in the north.
The Hall Today
Irvinebank's good times lasted until the First World War, when metal prices fell. John Moffat retired in 1912, and the Irvinebank smelters were sold to the Queensland Government in 1918. After that, the town slowly became smaller. However, the School of Arts Hall is still used as a community hall today. It remains a central place for activities in Irvinebank.
What the Hall Looks Like
The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall is a one-story wooden building. It stands at an important intersection in Irvinebank, North Queensland. Nearby are the Queensland National Bank and John Moffat's House, which are also important historical buildings in the town. Large trees, including several figs, surround the hall.
Building Features
The building is raised off the ground on round wooden posts. It has a rectangular shape and a corrugated iron gabled roof. The wooden frame of the building has exposed timber supports. Some parts are covered with horizontal timber boards, which are protected by verandahs.
The front of the building, facing northeast, looks balanced and even. It has three parts that stick out, each with a gabled roof. These parts are covered with weatherboards and have simple decorative boards, pointed tops, and vertical sash windows. These projecting sections highlight the main entrance in the middle and the two corners of the front.
Between these sticking-out parts is a curved verandah with criss-crossed railings. You can get to the main entrance through the middle projecting section by walking up a straight wooden staircase. High windows above the verandah awning let in light and air to the main hall. There are also round openings on the gabled ends of the building.
Inside the Hall
Inside, the building has a large main hall with a stage. There are also semi-enclosed verandah areas along the two long sides. The hall is completely covered with unpainted red cedar timber boards. These boards are on the floor, walls, and even on the partly sloped ceiling. A wooden arch, with carved designs, forms the proscenium over the raised stage. The stage and some of the doors are covered with diagonal timber boards.
Why the Hall is Important
The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on May 29, 1995. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It shows the growth and success of Irvinebank, which was a busy mining town. This success was greatly helped by the important Queensland businessman, John Moffat.
Its Beautiful Design
The building is located in a very noticeable spot in Irvinebank. It is a key part of a group of important buildings, including the Queensland National Bank and Moffat's house. The Irvinebank School of Arts is a landmark in the town.
Its Connection to the Community
The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall has been used continuously as a community hall since it was built around 1900. Because it was the only public hall in Irvinebank, it has always been the main place for social events and activities in the town.
Its Link to Important People
The building is connected to John Moffat, who is believed to have paid for its construction. The School of Arts Hall also shows us clearly how a "School of Arts" worked. These were common and important places in many Queensland towns in the 1800s.
