Millers Point Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Millers Point Post Office (former) |
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The former Millers Point Post Office, located on the corner of Argyle and Kent Streets, pictured in 2019.
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| Location | 12 Kent Street, Millers Point, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | NSW Government Architect;s Office under Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Millers Point Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 23 June 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1408 |
| Type | Post Office |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
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The Millers Point Post Office is a historic building in Millers Point, Australia. It used to be a post office and offices, but now it is a home. The building was designed by the NSW Government Architect's Office under Walter Liberty Vernon. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 June 2000 because of its special history and design.
Contents
A Look Back: The Post Office's History
This building has an interesting story about how it became a post office. It shows how the area grew and needed better services.
Early Post Office Locations
The first post office in Millers Point opened in 1878. It was located on Argyle Street. By 1887, people thought this building was too small. It was also not in a good spot for everyone. So, in August 1887, the post office moved to 83 George Street North.
Finding a New Home for the Post Office
By 1891, people in Millers Point really wanted a new, bigger post office. They wanted it at the corner of Kent and Argyle Streets. This spot was perfect because it was easy for everyone to reach.
The chosen site had an old police watchhouse. This building was moved in June 1891. A new house was built there for a police officer. But the new house was too noisy for a home. So, it was decided that this building could be used for the post office instead. The post office then built a new, quiet home for the police officer somewhere else.
Opening the New Millers Point Post Office
On December 31, 1900, this building officially opened. It became the new Millers Point Post Office. It stayed a post office for almost 100 years, until the 1990s. Its great location made it very useful for the local community.
Changes Over the Years
In the late 1990s, the building's use started to change. The post office only used a small part of the ground floor. The rest of the building was rented out as office space. For a few years, a company called Hawker Britton had their Sydney office there.
The post office continued to operate in a smaller way until about 2009. After that, it closed completely. In 2017, plans were made to turn the whole building into homes.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Millers Point Post Office is a two-story building. It is made of reddish-pink brick. It has a classic style called Federation Free Classical.
Main Features of the Building
The building has a special roof hidden behind a decorative wall. This wall is called a parapet. The roof is made of corrugated metal. There are two brick chimneys and a window with special slats called louvres.
You can enter the building through a round arched porch on Kent Street. There are stone steps leading up to the door. The door has pretty stained glass above and on the sides.
Next to the entrance, there are two large sash windows. These windows have smaller panes of glass at the top and one large pane at the bottom. The windows on the second floor are similar. One round window on the second floor still has its original wavy glass.
How the Building Has Changed
Over the years, some parts of the building have been updated.
- The front of the building on Kent Street has been changed a bit.
- Inside, a doorway on the ground floor was filled in. This might have happened when the post office and offices were separated.
- A storage room was added under the stairs.
- Some walls in the post office area were removed to make a bigger room.
- Modern updates were made to the post office area around the mid-1990s. This included covering up fireplaces.
- An older brick building next to the main one also had some changes.
- A modern bathroom was added upstairs. This caused some water damage to the window frames.
- Pipes and ducts for services were added in the hallway.
Why is it a Heritage Site?
The former Millers Point Post Office is important for many reasons. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it is protected because of its special value.
Historical Importance
- It shows how Millers Point grew into a busy part of Sydney.
- It is linked to the growth of communication services in the late 1800s and early 1900s. As more people moved to the area, they needed better services like a post office.
Design and Beauty
- The building is a great example of the Federation Free Classical architectural style. This style was popular around the time Australia became a federation.
- Its design and location make it a local landmark. It adds to the historic look of the Millers Point area.
Community Connection
- The post office was a well-known building in the community. It was a place where people met and did important things. Because of this, it is special to the people of Millers Point.
Learning from the Past
- The site might hold clues about the past. Digging here could help us learn more about the history of New South Wales.
Rarity and Uniqueness
- Built in 1891, it is an early and rare example of the Federation Free Classical style.
Part of a Bigger Picture
- It is one of many buildings designed by the NSW Government Architect's Office under Walter Liberty Vernon.
- It is also an important part of the historic buildings in the Millers Point area.
