Perth Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perth Town Hall |
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| General information | |
| Type | Town hall |
| Architectural style | Victorian Free Gothic |
| Location | Corner of Hay Street and Barrack Street |
| Town or city | Perth |
| Coordinates | 31°57′18″S 115°51′38″E / 31.955°S 115.860556°E |
| Current tenants | City of Perth |
| Groundbreaking | 24 May 1867 |
| Completed | 1870 |
| Owner | City of Perth |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Richard Roach Jewell & James Manning |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 23 May 1995 |
| Reference no. | 1953 |
The Perth Town Hall is a very old and important building in Perth, Western Australia. It stands at the corner of Hay and Barrack streets. This building is special because it's the only town hall in Australia that was built by convicts. When it was finished, it was the tallest building in Perth!
Contents
History of Perth Town Hall
Building Design and Construction
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The Perth Town Hall was designed by two architects, Richard Roach Jewell and James Manning. They used a style called Victorian Free Gothic. This means it looks a bit like old castles or churches. The building was constructed between 1867 and 1870. Both convicts and free workers helped build it.
You can find some interesting details on the building that remind us of the convicts who worked there. For example, some windows are shaped like a "broad arrow." This was a symbol used on convict uniforms. There are also decorations that look like a hangman's rope.
Looking up the jarrah staircase. The photographs on the wall show each Lord Mayor of Perth, starting with George Shenton.
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Laying the Foundation Stone
The first stone for the Perth Town Hall was put in place on 24 May 1867. Governor Hampton led a big ceremony with lots of fancy parades. Even though it rained heavily, the event continued. There was an official procession from Government House. Volunteer soldiers and other groups also performed a mock battle.
Later Changes and Restoration
In 1929, Western Australia celebrated its 100th birthday. As part of the celebrations, Governor Sir William Campion placed a special plaque on the northwest corner of the Town Hall.
For many years in the 20th century, small shops were built into the ground floor of the building. These included a pharmacy, a bank, and a lunch bar. Public toilets were also available from Barrack Street. All these businesses and their structures were removed before the hall was renovated.
In the late 1990s, the Town Hall underwent a big restoration. This project won awards. It helped to fix the inside of the hall and the gothic arches at its base. These arches had been changed to look more "modern" in the mid-20th century.
