The Rolls Hall, Monmouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Rolls Hall |
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The Rolls Hall, which is now the public library in Monmouth.
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| General information | |
| Address | Whitecross Street |
| Town or city | Monmouth |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°48′47.8″N 2°42′42.8″W / 51.813278°N 2.711889°W |
| Completed | 1888 |
| Cost | £8,000 |
| Client | John Rolls |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | F.A.Powell |
| Designations | Grade II listed |
The Rolls Hall is a historic Victorian building on Whitecross Street in Monmouth, Wales. It was given to the town to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, which was her 50th year as queen. The gift came from a wealthy local man named John Rolls.
Today, this beautiful building is the town's public library. It is recognized as a Grade II listed building, meaning it's officially protected for its special historical importance. The Rolls Hall is also one of 24 historic sites on the Monmouth Heritage Trail.
Contents
History of The Rolls Hall
The hall has a rich history, from its grand opening as a gift to its modern use as a library full of books and technology.
A Grand Gift to the Town
The Rolls Hall was built between 1887 and 1888. The architect, F.A. Powell, designed it in a grand style known as Jacobean. The building was made from local Old Red Sandstone and finely cut stone from the Forest of Dean. The total cost to build it was £8,000, which was a very large amount of money at the time.
The Rolls family, who lived at a nearby estate called The Hendre, were known for being generous supporters of Monmouth. They attended the hall's official opening on May 24, 1888. The hall was a special gift to the town to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
A Center for Arts and Entertainment
Soon after it opened, The Rolls Hall became a hub for culture. In 1889, a new organ was installed. A year later, several beautiful paintings were hung inside. In September 1890, the hall hosted a popular Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition.
From 1897 to 1903, the famous actor and director Ben Greet used the hall to stage many plays. For a time, the building was also used as a dance hall and later a night club.
Becoming Monmouth's Library
In 1992, The Rolls Hall began a new chapter as the town's public library. Before this, the library was located in the Shire Hall.
The library was given a major update in 2010. A grant of £210,000 helped to refurbish the building, making it a better space for visitors. The library continues to honor the Rolls family. Large portraits of Lord Llangattock, his wife, and his son hang on one of the main walls. A beautiful floor mosaic, which shows the symbols of the Rolls family and Monmouth joined together, is now displayed on a wall for everyone to see.
Modern Technology in a Historic Building
In 2012, the library became part of a project called MonmouthpediA. This project uses modern technology to share information about the town's history.
Staff placed special QRpedia codes on every bookcase. When visitors scan these codes with a smartphone, they can instantly read about different parts of Monmouth's history in their own language. Codes were also placed inside many books, linking readers to information about the authors. This mixes the old world of books with the new world of digital information.
