Railway Institute Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Railway Institute Building |
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Railway Institute Building, 101 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW
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| Location | 101 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1891–1898 |
| Official name: Railway Institute Building; Institute Building | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1257 |
| Type | Other - Transport - Rail |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
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The Railway Institute Building is a historic building in Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a place for learning and social events for railway workers. Built between 1891 and 1898, it is also known as the Institute Building. This important building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
Contents
Building History
How the Area Changed
Long ago, in the early 1800s, the land where the building stands was open space called the Government Paddocks. Over time, some land was given out, and important buildings like Cleveland House (built in 1824) and the Benevolent Asylum (built in 1820-21) appeared.
Later, a cemetery was created in 1820, which was expanded a few years later. A road called Devonshire Street was built along its southern edge. This area was chosen for Sydney's main railway station. In 1850, the first ground was broken for the railway line. The first railway line from Sydney to Parramatta officially opened in 1856.
In 1865, part of the Cleveland Paddocks became Prince Alfred Park. This park was named to celebrate the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Learning for Workers
In the 1830s, a movement started to help working people learn new skills. The Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts was founded in 1833. It offered classes in subjects like math and drawing. The goal was to help workers improve their skills and lives. These "Schools of Arts" or "Mechanics Institutes" spread across New South Wales. They often had libraries and reading rooms.
By the 1880s, railway workers needed their own place to learn. They were often too far from existing schools. Railway companies in Great Britain had already set up similar institutes for their employees. These places became important social and cultural centers in railway towns. In 1885, railway workers asked the Commissioners to create an institute for them.
In 1888, a committee was formed to plan the Railway Institute. Its main goals were:
- To improve members' minds.
- To encourage reading, science, and art.
- To offer classes in reading, writing, math, and drawing.
- To support social, intellectual, and physical activities.
The rules stated that no political or religious topics could be discussed.
The Institute Building
A competition was held in 1889 to design the new building. H. M. Robinson, an architect from Sydney, won. His design was in the "Queen Anne" style, which was popular in England. This style used red brick and often had steep roofs with dark-red tiles. It was one of the first buildings in Sydney to use terracotta roof tiles.
The plans for the building were approved in 1890. A railway commissioner named Charles Goodchap donated money for a library, which became a key part of the Institute. The building was constructed by Thomas Henley and cost less than expected. It was designed to have a large lecture hall, classrooms, a reading room, and social areas.
On March 14, 1891, the Railway Institute building officially opened. It was a big event, with important people attending, including the Premier of New South Wales, Henry Parkes. This was the very first Railway Institute to open in Australia.
The Institute quickly became very popular. Within ten years, it needed more space. In 1897, they got permission to expand the building into a small part of Prince Alfred Park. Large additions were planned, including new classrooms, a smoking room, and a bigger lecture hall. These additions were completed and opened on March 14, 1899. The new parts included two classrooms, a council room, and a large hall.
Around 1900, the area changed again. The old Devonshire Street Cemetery was moved to make way for the new Central Station. Devonshire Street disappeared in some parts, and Castlereagh Street was renamed Chalmers Street.
The building continued to be used a lot. In 1905, a gymnasium was built. The Institute also hosted a Jubilee Celebration Exhibition, marking 50 years of the NSW Government Railways. More changes were made over the years, including new stairs, a gallery in the main hall, and a library.
By the mid-1920s, the Institute had grown so much that it needed even more space. Some of its activities moved to other buildings nearby. However, the original building remained important for social events and meetings. The Institute also expanded across the state, opening branches in many country towns.
In 1927, efforts began to create a museum within the main Institute building. They wanted to collect items related to the early days of the railways. The building also hosted the City of Sydney Eisteddfod, a competition for music and speaking.
In 1947, there were plans to demolish the building and build a new one, but this never happened. Minor changes were made in the 1950s and 1960s. The last eisteddfod was held there in 1971.
In 1975, the building stopped being a main training facility. It was used for offices and rented out for various railway groups and the public. In the early 1990s, the building was repaired and cleaned. There were plans to turn it into a training center, but this also did not happen. Today, the building is not occupied.
Building Features
Outside the Building
The Railway Institute Building still looks much like it did in the 1920s. You can see how it was expanded over the years by looking at the different styles and materials used.
The first part, built in 1891, is in the Federation Anglo-Dutch style. This style came from the Queen Anne style in England. It uses red brickwork, and often has special gables (the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof) that look like those from the Netherlands. The building also has decorative bricks and a unique shape. The outside of the building was carefully repaired a few years ago.
The 1899 section of the building was built in a simpler style. However, the bricks and details match the older part. Its design is similar to homes from that time. This part also had conservation work done in 1995.
You can still see the changes made in the early 1900s. A stair at the western end of the building is visible, and the extra floor built above it has bricks of a different color.
Inside the Building
The inside of the building is not in as good condition as the outside. There have been some issues, like termites. However, many original parts of the building still exist, though some are hidden behind newer walls. For example, in the main hall, wooden panels and the front of the gallery have been covered.
Surroundings
Old photos show that the building used to have plants around it. Tall shrubs and trees in Prince Alfred Park made a nice background.
Today, the building is surrounded by a fence and grassy areas on the Chalmers Street side. There are some trees and shrubs along the eastern and southern edges. The building stands out from the west, where its unique architecture and color are easy to see across the railway lines. However, from other directions, trees and other structures block the view.
Why It's Important
The Railway Institute Building is important for several reasons:
- History: It was the first Railway Institute building in Australia. It played a big part in teaching adults and railway workers in the late 1800s and 1900s. It shows how railway companies cared for their employees' education, just like in England. It also connects to important railway figures like Goodchap.
- Design: The 1891 part of the building is a great example of the Federation Anglo-Dutch style. It has beautiful details and high-quality design. The later additions match the original part well. It's also a rare example of the work of architect Henry Robinson.
- Technology: It's a rare and mostly untouched example of a Railway Institute Building. It shows how adult education worked in the past. It was also one of the first government buildings in NSW to use terracotta roof tiles, though these have been replaced.
- Community: The building has strong ties to railway employees. It was a place for their social, cultural, and fun activities for many years. For example, it hosted the City of Sydney Eisteddfod for a long time. It is still meaningful to many older railway workers.
- Information: The building can teach us a lot about adult education and the history of New South Wales. Its physical structure shows how the Institute grew and how the building was used for learning and fun.
The Railway Institute Building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 because it met these important criteria.
