Tenterfield School of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tenterfield School of Arts |
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| Location | Manners Street, Tenterfield, Tenterfield Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1869 |
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| Owner | National Trust of Australia (NSW) |
| Official name: Tenterfield School of Arts; Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 March 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1506 |
| Type | School of Arts |
| Category | Community Facilities |
| Builders | Mr Merrell |
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The Tenterfield School of Arts is a special building in Tenterfield, Australia. It was built in 1869 by Mr Merrell. Today, it serves as a museum, theatre, cinema, community centre, and library. It is also known as the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts. This important building is owned by the National Trust of Australia. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 1 March 2002.
This site is famous because Sir Henry Parkes gave a very important speech here. This speech, called the Tenterfield Oration, suggested that the six separate British colonies in Australia should join together to form one country, known as the Federation.
Contents
History of the Tenterfield School of Arts
The idea for a School of Arts in Tenterfield began around 1863 or 1864. These "Schools of Arts" were places where people could learn, read, and meet. They were like early community centres and libraries.
Early Days and First Building
The very first School of Arts was in a building used by a tailor. Later, it moved to a brick cottage. In 1869 or 1870, the first building for the School of Arts was built on the current site. It was a simple wooden building, described as looking like a "big barn."
People in the community showed great interest in the new School of Arts. They held events like bazaars to raise money. On 26 November 1875, the foundation stone for a new, bigger building was laid. This new building officially opened on 7 September 1876. It was such a big event that the day was a public holiday!
A Community Hub
The new School of Arts quickly became the heart of Tenterfield's community life. The town's first agricultural show was even held there in 1877. Many important people in the town were involved with the School of Arts.
Sir Henry Parkes and the Federation Speech
In 1882, a very important event happened that made the Tenterfield School of Arts famous. Sir Henry Parkes, who was the Premier of New South Wales (like a state leader), was looking for a new place to represent in Parliament. He was chosen to be the Member for Tenterfield.
In February 1883, a special dinner was held at the School of Arts to welcome Sir Henry Parkes. It was here, on 24 October 1889, that Sir Henry Parkes gave his famous "Tenterfield Oration." In this speech, he talked about the idea of Australia becoming one united nation. This speech was a key moment in Australia's journey to becoming a federation.
Changes and Protection Efforts
Over the years, the School of Arts continued to be a busy place. It even housed a cinema for a while. During World War II, the main hall was used by the military.
In 1946, a plaque was put up to remember Sir Henry Parkes' famous speech. In the 1950s, the building was almost torn down. However, a strong community effort saved it. This campaign led to the creation of the National Trust of Australia in New South Wales. In 1957, the Tenterfield School of Arts became the first property owned by the National Trust.
After being saved, the building was restored and renamed the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts. It became the first museum run by the National Trust in Australia. Today, it holds many items related to Australia's Federation history and the local area. It is open to visitors every day.
The building still houses a library, a place for events, a cinema, and a theatre.
Design and Architecture
The Tenterfield School of Arts is not just one building. It's a group of buildings that were built at different times. This means it shows off several different architectural styles.
Building Stages and Styles
- 1876: The first part of the current building, including a hall and reading rooms, was completed.
- 1884: The building almost doubled in size. New sections were added in a mix of Victorian Rustic Gothic and Victorian Romanesque styles.
- 1903: The Main Hall was finished. This part is in the Federation Free Classical style. It was built as a memorial to the local soldiers who died in the Boer War.
- 1913: The Billiard Room was added. This section shows the unique Australian architectural style known as the Federation Style.
The community and the National Trust have worked hard to keep the building's original look and feel. This helps everyone understand its long history.
Major Changes Over Time
The School of Arts has been changed and updated many times since it was first built:
- 1884: New entryways and rooms were added.
- 1902-1903: The large Main Public Hall, which is a memorial to Boer War soldiers, was built and opened.
- 1912: The original wooden roof was replaced with corrugated iron.
- 1913: Some old rooms were removed, and the Billiard Room (now called the A. D. Donnelly Hall) was built.
- 1931: Changes were made for showing movies, and sound screens were put in.
- 1958-1968: Major restoration work began after the National Trust took over. Verandas were removed, and the Billiard Room was updated for general use.
- 1982: A sealed car park was built next to the building.
Why is it a Heritage Site?
The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts is very important for its history, beauty, and community connections. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register for several reasons.
Historical Importance
The School of Arts is historically significant because it was the place where Sir Henry Parkes gave his famous "Tenterfield Oration" in 1889. This speech was a key moment in the story of Australia becoming a nation. The building has also been a continuous community hub, serving as a library and meeting place since 1871. It was also the very first building taken care of by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
Architectural Beauty
The School of Arts stands out in Tenterfield because of its unique design. It shows four different architectural styles from different time periods. This includes the original 1876 building, the Victorian Rustic Gothic/Romanesque additions from 1884, the Federation Free Classical style of the 1903 Main Hall, and the Federation style of the 1913 Billiard Room. These different styles tell the story of how the building grew over time.
Community Connection
The School of Arts has always been a central meeting place for the people of Tenterfield. The Main Hall is a special memorial to the local men who died in the Boer War, a conflict that was important in Australia's early nationhood. The Billiard Room also became a gathering place where people remembered the young men who went to fight in World War I. The building shows how the community came together for learning, entertainment, and to remember important events.
Learning from the Past
The building helps us understand how "Schools of Arts" changed over time. The older parts show a balance between learning and fun. Later additions, like the Main Hall and Billiard Room, show a shift towards entertainment and recreation. The different stages of the building's development clearly show how important the School of Arts was to the community.
See also
- List of National Trust properties in Australia
- Australian non-residential architectural styles
- Federation of Australia
