Old Port Macquarie Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Port Macquarie Courthouse |
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| Location | Clarence Street (cnr), Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1869 |
| Architect | James Barnet |
| Owner | Department of Planning and Infrastructure |
| Official name: Courthouse and Norfolk Island pines (former); Clerk of Petty Sessions (former) | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 554 |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Category | Law enforcement |
| Builders | Butler and Bourne |
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The Old Port Macquarie Courthouse is a special old building in Port Macquarie, Australia. It used to be a courthouse where legal cases were heard. Today, it is a museum about justice and the town's history.
This important building is located on Clarence Street. It was designed by a famous architect named James Barnet. The building was finished in 1869 by builders Butler and Bourne. Because of its history, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
History of the Courthouse
Early Days and First Courts
The land for the courthouse was set aside in the 1830s. At that time, Port Macquarie was chosen to have a "Court of Petty Sessions." This was a local court for smaller legal matters.
In September 1836, the new Police Magistrate, William Nairn Gray, suggested using a brick building for the court. He said the current police office was too small.
On August 14, 1838, Port Macquarie became a place where trials could be held with a jury. However, people often complained about the old courthouse being in bad condition. In 1852, some repairs were finally approved.
A New Building is Needed
By 1865, the Police Magistrate, Charles Sinclair, wrote to the Colonial Architect. He explained that the old building was in very poor shape.
On September 14, 1867, an announcement was made in the Government Gazette. It asked for builders to offer bids to construct a new courthouse and lockup in Port Macquarie.
The design for the new building came from James Barnet. The company Butler and Bourne from Port Macquarie won the bid. They offered to build it for 875 pounds. This was announced on October 25, 1867.
Problems with the Old Building
In November 1868, a journalist visited Port Macquarie. They described how bad the old courthouse was. They said it looked "in the very last stages of decay." The journalist saw piles of bricks and plaster. The inside walls were "dingy and damp."
The journalist even joked that the old courthouse would soon become a stable for police horses. The judge's platform would be used for cattle food!
Building the New Courthouse
The journalist also saw the new courthouse being built nearby. It was "within a stone's throw" of the old one. They noted that the new building was "very neat" and almost finished.
However, there was a big mistake in the plans. The new courthouse did not have any rooms for juries. Jury rooms were very important for trials. This mistake meant more rooms would need to be added later.
The new courthouse ended up costing more than planned. It cost an extra 109 pounds, plus 10 pounds for furniture. An additional 205 pounds was needed to fix problems with dampness. The new courthouse finally opened in 1869.
Changes Over Time
The first additions to the building were made in 1890. An extra 303 pounds was spent on expanding the western side. These changes were also overseen by James Barnet.
Photographs from 1900 show how the courthouse looked then. It had verandahs (porches), brick walls, and a slate roof. The floors inside and on the verandahs were made of timber.
In 1974, a concrete floor was put in the court, magistrate's, and judge's rooms.
Becoming a Museum
In 1986, the Justice Department moved out of the building. The community worked together to save the courthouse. The local council, Hastings Municipal Council, took over the building.
The council knew the building was important to Port Macquarie's history. They hired an expert to check its condition and estimate repair costs. They used old photos and drawings to see how it originally looked.
Money for the repairs came from a special grant and community fundraising. Work began on February 12, 1993. The concrete floors were removed and replaced with new timber. The roof was fixed with new shingles. Old bricks were laid under the verandah. Most of the woodwork was repainted. The cedar doors to the courtroom were cleaned and polished.
The restoration work was finished on October 8, 1993.
After it reopened, the building became a justice museum. It now has displays that show what life was like in Port Macquarie when it was a penal settlement (a place for prisoners).
What the Courthouse Looks Like
The Old Port Macquarie Courthouse is on the corner of Clarence and Hay Streets. There are two large Norfolk Island pine trees on the eastern side of the building. These trees make the area look even nicer. Most of the land around the building is covered in grass.
The courthouse is a single-story building made of painted brick. It has a simple, balanced design. The main part of the building, where the courtroom is, has a pointed roof. The smaller sections on each side have hipped roofs (sloping on all sides).
The roofs are made of special wood shingles. The chimneys still have their original metal tops. The doors have four panels, and the windows are large. There is a simple verandah with iron roofs on three sides, supported by square timber posts.
Inside, there is one main room, the Courtroom. Originally, there were four smaller rooms, but now there are three. These rooms were used by the Clerk of Petty Sessions (a court official) and the Magistrates and Judges.
In 1997, the building was in good physical condition. There might also be old convict drains buried in the eastern part of the site. The outside shape of the courthouse has not changed much since it was first built.
Why the Courthouse is Special
The Old Port Macquarie Courthouse is listed as a heritage site for several reasons:
- It shows the history of Port Macquarie: The courthouse shows how important Port Macquarie was in the late 1800s as a center for public services.
- It's an early work by James Barnet: It's one of the first buildings designed by James Barnet when he worked for the Colonial Architect's office. It's a good example of the Victorian Georgian style.
- It's one of the last old buildings: It is one of the few government buildings from the 1800s still standing in Port Macquarie.
- It adds to the town's historic look: The courthouse is an important part of the historic center of Port Macquarie. It is near other old buildings like the Museum, Garrison Centre, and Police Lockup.
- It has beautiful trees: The Norfolk Island pine trees on the site add to the natural beauty of the area.
- It shows typical architecture: The courthouse represents the simple architectural style common in this area compared to other towns in New South Wales.
See also
