Old Court House, Perth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Court House |
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Old Court House, Supreme Court Gardens
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| General information | |
| Type | Court building |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 14 February 2003 |
| Part of | Supreme Court Buildings and Gardens, Old Court House, Stirling Gardens (1947) |
| Reference no. | 1948 |
The Old Court House is a very old and important building in Perth, Western Australia. It was the first court building ever built in the city. You can find it between Stirling Gardens and Supreme Court Gardens, right next to the main Supreme Court building. It's a single-story building with cream-colored walls and a wooden shingle roof.
This building was finished in 1836, making it the oldest public building still standing in Perth today. It's also one of the few buildings left that was designed by Henry Reveley, an early colonial engineer. Its style is called "classical Greek revival," which was popular in the 1800s.
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What the Old Court House Looks Like
The Old Court House is located at the southeast corner of Stirling Gardens in Perth. It has a simple but classic look, known as Georgian style architecture. This means it has a balanced and orderly design.
The building is made of stone rubble, which is covered with a smooth plaster finish called stucco. It has a small, simple shape with a hipped roof, which means all sides slope down to the walls. The roof was originally covered with slate tiles.
Special Features of the Building
A special entrance area, called a portico, was added later. This portico is supported by strong, simple columns known as doric pillars. The ground around the north and west sides of the building is paved with sandstone-colored bricks.
History of the Old Court House
Building the First Court House
In 1836, Governor James Stirling ordered that a court house be built in Perth. In February 1836, Henry Reveley, who was the colony's civil engineer, created the plans for the new building. Reveley was a key person in designing many early public buildings in the colony.
He also designed the Round House in Fremantle and the original Government House in Perth. The Court House was built close to the Swan River shoreline at that time. It was completed in December 1836.
Early Uses of the Building
The first court meeting, called the Court of General Quarter Sessions, was held in the building on February 2, 1837. The building was officially opened with a church service on March 24, 1837. For a few years, the Court House was used as both a court and a church until St George's Church was built in 1842.
Besides being a court and a church, the building was also used as a schoolroom. The first Perth Boys' School started there on September 20, 1847. Before other large buildings like the Mechanics Institute and the Town Hall were built, the Court House was the main place for public meetings in Perth. It was very important for the cultural life of the early Swan River Colony.
Changes Over the Years
Between 1856 and 1863, the building was sometimes used as a temporary place for new immigrants to stay. After some repairs in 1863, it became a court again, this time for the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court used the building from 1863 until September 1879. They then moved to a new location nearby.
From July 29, 1905, until 1965, the building was used by the Arbitration Court, which dealt with disagreements between workers and employers. Small changes were made to the building in 1921.
Modern Era and the Law Museum
On October 14, 1966, after more renovations including a new shingled roof, the Law Society of Western Australia started using the building as their main office. In 1974, a Law Museum was opened inside the building.
In 1985, the Law Society moved its offices. The building was then refurbished to look like the Arbitration Court did in 1905. In 1987, the Francis Burt Legal Education Centre was established there.
During the 1965 renovations, a special carved wooden coat of arms was found. It was originally made for Chief Justice Henry Wrenfordsley in 1880. It was carved from jarrah wood by Lewis Hasluck, who was the grandfather of Paul Hasluck. This coat of arms was restored and is now on display in the museum.
What the Old Court House is Used For Now
Today, the Old Court House is home to the Old Court House Law Museum. The Law Society of Western Australia runs this museum. It teaches visitors about the history of law, legal issues, and the legal profession in Western Australia. It's a great place to learn about how laws and courts have changed over time.
Why the Old Court House is Important
The Old Court House is considered a very important historical building. It was added to the Register of the National Estate by the Australian Heritage Commission in October 1980. The National Trust of Australia (WA) also recognized its importance in February 1978. On February 14, 2003, it was officially placed on the permanent state heritage register, which means it is protected for future generations.
