Wingham Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wingham Post Office |
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Wingham Library and Post Office (on right)
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| Location | Wynter Street, Wingham, Mid-Coast Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Architect | Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Wingham Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 22 December 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1419 |
| Type | Post Office |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
| Builders | Original building constructed by William T. Smith of Cundletown. |
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The Wingham Post Office is a special old building in Wingham, New South Wales, Australia. It's listed as a heritage site because of its history and beautiful design. The first part of the building was planned by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. It was built by William T. Smith from Cundletown. Later, more parts were added by architects working for Barnet's replacement, Walter Liberty Vernon. Today, Australia Post owns this important building.
Contents
The Story of Post Offices in Australia
The very first official mail service in Australia started in April 1809. A man named Isaac Nichols became the first Postmaster in New South Wales. Before this, ship captains just gave out the mail. This wasn't very safe or reliable.
In 1825, the government created a special department for mail, called the Postmaster General's Department. This meant mail services were now run from Australia, not Britain.
Early Post Offices and Growth
The first post offices outside of Sydney opened in 1828. They were in towns like Bathurst and Parramatta. By 1839, there were forty post offices across the colony. More opened as people settled in new areas. Mail services got even better when the railway network started in the 1860s.
In 1863, the Postmaster General said that postmasters should live in the same building as the post office. This was important for safety and efficiency.
Famous Architects and Post Office Designs
James Barnet became the Acting Colonial Architect in 1862. During his time, from 1865 to 1890, his office built and looked after 169 post offices. These buildings had many different styles. Barnet believed that local leaders liked to see "different patterns" in their buildings.
Building new post offices continued even during the hard times of the 1890s. Walter Liberty Vernon took over from Barnet in 1890. He stayed in charge until 1911. Even though money was tight, twenty-seven post offices were built between 1892 and 1895.
Post Offices After Federation
After Australia became a federation in 1901, the Government of Australia took over all post, telegraph, and telephone services. A special department was in charge of building new post offices.
In 1975, the old Postmaster General's Department was changed. Two new groups were created: Telcom (for phones) and Australia Post (for mail). In 1989, Australia Post became a self-funded company. This led to smaller, shop-front style post offices instead of the big, traditional ones.
For a long time, post offices did many things for the community. They delivered mail, helped with banking, and offered telegraph and telephone services. The town post office was often a central place. It was usually built in a main spot, near other public buildings. This made it a proud part of the town.
Wingham Post Office: A Local Story
The first post office for Wingham opened on September 1, 1853. It was about 4 miles away in a place called Bungay. It moved to Wingham in 1856. For the next 28 years, the post office worked from temporary spots.
In 1880, the Post and Telegraph Offices joined together. They had been in separate buildings since the telegraph arrived in 1879.
Finding the Right Spot
In March 1880, a local politician, Robert Burdett Smith MP, asked for a new official Post and Telegraph Building in Wingham. After much discussion, a site was suggested near the Public School. However, choosing the right spot caused many delays. The Postmaster General's Department and the Lands Department argued about where the building should go.
People in Wingham kept asking for a new post office. Finally, the Postmaster General approved money for a new building. The site was changed again after the Lands Department disagreed with the first choice.
Even with site problems, plans for the office were being drawn. An inspector suggested the Wingham Post Office should look like others in towns like Wallsend. The estimated cost was around £1,425.
Building Begins
On April 10, 1883, the Public Works Department announced that William T. Smith would build the Wingham Post and Telegraph Office. The cost was £1,625, including an underground water tank and fencing. The building was supposed to be finished in 12 months.
There was still some confusion about the site. The Public Instruction Department worried the new office would be right in front of the school teacher's house. But the building went ahead anyway.
The Postmaster, James Hodgins, moved into the new office on June 27, 1884. In 1886, a temporary bathroom was added for the Postmaster's family. A permanent bathroom wasn't built until 1895-96. During the 1890s, a first-floor balcony (verandah) and post boxes were also added.
Changes and Additions Over Time
Between 1902 and 1910, the Post Office building had many changes. A new counter was put in in 1902. A battery and store room were added the next year. Batteries were used to power the telegraph equipment.
In 1904, S. A. Levick made more repairs and changes. This included building a front entrance lobby. A wall was also removed in the living area to make one bigger room.
In 1909, a small private space was created for the public telephone. This was because people wanted more privacy when making calls. A manual telephone exchange was also added that year.
Later in 1909, plans were made to make the public space in the office bigger. The chosen plan used a verandah area. The tender for this work was given to H. W. Alcorn of Taree for £256.
By 1923, many smaller buildings were added around the main office. These included a linesmen's office, storage sheds, and a mechanic's room. These additions showed how much the area was growing. They also showed how important the Post and Telegraph service was becoming. More extensions were added in 1922 for £944.
In 1983, the Wingham Post Office had a big renovation. This included a new wooden picket fence outside. The inside was also redesigned to show off its historic look. The building was repainted in colors that matched its heritage.
What the Wingham Post Office Looks Like
The Wingham Post Office is a two-story building made of brick. It has a style called Victorian Regency. It also has features from the Federation Filigree and Federation Free Style periods. It used to be a perfectly balanced building. It has a tan-colored roof made of corrugated steel.
Many parts have been added to the Post Office over the years. These include the first-floor balcony (verandah) from the 1890s. The brick infill on the ground floor verandah was added around 1911. A single-story addition on the south side was built in the 1920s. There are also many smaller buildings (outbuildings) of different ages. Most of these are made of weatherboard or brick.
Outside Features
There's a long balcony on the first floor facing the street. It has a cream-colored cast iron balustrade (railing). It also has cast iron posts and decorative brackets. A special feature is a stone gutter around the edge of the balcony. There's also a ground-floor balcony at the back, between the main building and the kitchen.
On the north side, there's an original timber porch that leads to the stairs. It has square timber posts and brackets.
The front of the ground floor is made of reddish-brown brick. It has wide, red brick arches over the windows and main entrance. The first floor has a different brick pattern on the north and west sides.
The windows are mostly arched sash windows, especially on the first floor. The ground floor front has wider, arched windows from the early 1900s. Some original windows have fancy frames called architraves.
Inside the Building
The ground floor of the Post Office has five main areas. These include a retail area where you can buy things. There's also a mail sorting area, a contractor's room, offices, and staff facilities. The retail area doesn't have the typical modern Australia Post look.
The ceilings on the ground floor are mostly plaster. There are also fluorescent lights and some ceiling fans. You can also see air conditioning ducts.
Many of the white painted door and window frames (architraves) seem to be original. There's also a simple picture rail in the older part of the building. Some original skirting (baseboards) are still there.
The stairs in the northeast corner are carpeted. They have original carved timber posts and railings (balusters).
The first floor of Wingham Post Office is rented out. It has four offices and a reception area. The whole first floor is carpeted.
The ceilings on the first floor are mostly plaster. The lighting is simple fluorescent tubes. The door and window frames (architraves) on the first floor look original and are in good condition.
The windows on the first floor are original two-pane sash windows with an arched top. The inside doors are original four-panel doors with small windows above them (fanlights).
Surroundings and Condition
The Post Office is an important old building on a main street in Wingham. Next to it is the two-story Victorian School of Arts building. Across the street is Wingham Park, with many old trees.
The Post Office was in very good condition as of August 2000. Even though it has been changed and added to over the years, its original look is still clear. The outside is in great shape. The Post Office still has its special features, like the decorative balcony with cast iron posts and arched windows.
Why Wingham Post Office is Special
The Wingham Post Office is important because of its history, its beautiful look, and what it means to the community.
It's connected to the early days of Wingham. It links back to the first mail services in 1853. For over a hundred years, it has been the communication center for Wingham. It shows how much the community wanted better communication services in the late 1800s.
The Post Office also shows how postal and telecommunications services have changed over time. It gives us clues about how working conditions improved in New South Wales.
The Wingham Post Office is also special because of its design. It's a great example of the Victorian Regency style, with additions from the Federation period. It adds a lot to the look of the public area in Wingham. It was designed by famous architects like James Barnet and Walter Liberty Vernon.
Many people in Wingham feel that the Post Office is an important part of their town's identity.
The Wingham Post Office was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on December 22, 2000.
Historical Importance
- It shows the early growth of Wingham, linked to the first mail services from 1853.
- It has been the communication hub for over a century. It shows how much people wanted better services back then.
- It provides details on how postal and phone services changed. It also shows how working conditions improved for people in NSW.
- The building was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. This office designed many post offices across NSW.
- Later additions were planned by the NSW Government Architect's Office under W.L. Vernon.
Design and Beauty
- The Wingham Post Office is a unique building. It mixes Victorian Regency, Federation Filigree, and Federation Free Classical styles. It has a decorative balcony with cast iron posts, wide arched windows, and a medium-pitched roof.
- It adds a lot to the historic look of the public area around Wingham's central park.
- These features make it a landmark in Wingham.
Community Connection
- As a well-known public building and the old communication center, Wingham Post Office is very important to the Wingham community's sense of place.
Hidden Information
- The site might hold archaeological information. This could tell us more about how the site was used before and how the building and its smaller structures changed over time.
Rarity
- It's a rare example of a building that combines Victorian Regency and Federation architectural styles in NSW.
Typical Features
- Wingham Post Office is a good example of the Victorian Regency style. It's part of a group of 19th-century post offices designed by James Barnet's office. The additions from the early 1900s show the work of Walter Liberty Vernon's office.
