Kendall School of Arts facts for kids

The Kendall School of Arts is a historic building in Kendall, Australia. It is located on Comboyne Street. This special building was constructed starting in 1908. Today, it is also known as the Kendall Community Centre. Many local people simply call it Kendall Hall. The Kendall Community Centre owns the property. This important site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is officially recognized and protected for its historical value.

A Look at Its Past

The idea for a School of Arts in Kendall came about in 1892. The land it sits on was once part of a larger area. This area was used as a resting place for horses and bullock teams. These animals helped bring logs from the forests to the timber mills in Kendall.

The timber building we see today was built in 1908. It officially opened its doors in 1910. The name Kendall School of Arts was used until 1984.

Schools of Arts, also called mechanics' institutes, had a special purpose. They were places where working people could learn and improve themselves. They offered lectures, classes, and libraries. In the early 1900s, these places became very important. They were used for social gatherings and political meetings. They also hosted fun events like dances and even showed early movies.

The Kendall School of Arts is one of several similar buildings. At least seven Schools of Arts built around the time of Federation and World War I still exist within 80 kilometres.

In 1983, a storm damaged the building's supper room roof. The people of Kendall met to decide what to do. They had options like selling it or tearing it down. But they voted to restore the building instead.

In 1984, the name changed from School of Arts to Community Centre. However, most people still call it Kendall Hall. Both the Australian Government and the Heritage Office helped fund the restoration. The building still serves its original purpose today. It continues to be a place for learning and community events. For example, the Camden Haven Learning Exchange started there in 1982. A pre-school also operated in the Hall for several years starting in 1988.

Today, the side rooms are home to the Community Technology Centre. This centre opened in 2003. The Kendall School of Arts is used all the time. Many different community groups hold activities and meetings there. People especially admire its amazing sound quality. It hosts major events and festivals. It truly remains the social and cultural heart of the area.

What the Building Looks Like

The Kendall School of Arts building is made of timber. It has a roof made of corrugated galvanised iron. The building looks the same on both sides, which is called symmetrical. It stands proudly at the top of the village shopping area. It is well placed on a sloping, triangle-shaped piece of land. This land faces where Comboyne and Albert Streets meet.

Next to the hall is the 1919 Kendall War Memorial. The open space around it makes the hall site look even better. The hall is built into the ground on the Comboyne Road side. But it stands high off the ground on the Albert Street side. A supper room is attached to the southern side. At the back of the building, there are smaller additions for a stage and dressing rooms.

In 1973, an old one-room schoolhouse was moved behind the hall. This was the Batar Creek State School. It was moved there for the young people of the area to use.

From the front of the Hall, you can see the mix of buildings in Kendall's centre. These include homes, shops, and industrial buildings. The hall itself stands out when viewed from the shopping centre. The houses across from the Hall on Comboyne and Albert Streets are mostly old timber cottages. Some of them have beautiful Victorian details.

A large, old Camphor laurel tree with two trunks stands on the Comboyne Street boundary. Two small silky oak trees are next to it. These trees were planted in 1988 to celebrate 200 years since Europeans settled in Australia.

Only one other heritage-listed building is close to the School of Arts. It is a beautiful Federation-style house. It is about a hundred metres away, just over a nearby hill. However, you cannot see one building from the other.

Why It's a Heritage Site

The Kendall School of Arts is very important. Along with the Kendall Railway Station, it shows how much Kendall grew. This growth started around 1900. The building has been used by the community for almost 100 years. This is a long and continuous tradition. It is well built using local timber. This shows the importance of the timber industry, which was key to the area for about a century. It is also famous for its excellent sound quality.

The Kendall School of Arts was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. It met the following important reasons for listing:

The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The Kendall Hall has always been a community building since it was built. It is a very important meeting place for the community. Its main purpose, for which it was built, has stayed the same.

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. It is a great example of a School of Arts. These places were created to provide ways for working people to learn and improve their minds and morals.

See also

• Kendall, New South Wales