North Melbourne Town Hall facts for kids
The North Melbourne Town Hall is a special building in North Melbourne, Australia. It used to be the main office for the local government of a place called the Town of Hotham. This town was later renamed North Melbourne. Today, the City of Melbourne looks after it, and it's used as a place for arts and performances called "Arts House." You can find this historic building at the corner of Errol and Queensberry Streets.
What is the North Melbourne Town Hall?
The North Melbourne Town Hall was built in 1876. A "town hall" is like a community center and office building where local leaders used to meet and make decisions for the town. This building is very important because it's listed on the National Trust register. This means it's a valuable historical place that needs to be protected.
A Look at the Design
The architect who designed the North Melbourne Town Hall was George Raymond Johnson. He created the building in a style called Italianate, with some parts that look like the Second Empire style. These styles were popular during the Victorian era. George Raymond Johnson also designed several other town halls in Victoria, including those in Collingwood, Daylesford, Fitzroy, Kilmore, Maryborough, and Northcote.
Special Features
Near the town hall, there's a unique cast-iron drinking fountain. It was given to the town by Thomas Henderson, who was the mayor of Hotham at the time. This fountain is special because it has a beautiful ornamental kangaroo on it. It is also registered by the National Trust of Victoria, showing its historical and artistic value.
