Yangan School of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yangan School of Arts |
|
|---|---|
_(1995).jpg)
Yangan School of Arts, 1995
|
|
| Location | 7-9 King Street, Yangan, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1912 |
| Official name: Yangan School of Arts | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600527 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) 1912 ongoing (social) 1910s-1940s (historical) |
| Significant components | memorial – honour board/ roll of honour, school of arts, library – collection |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Yangan School of Arts is a special old building in Yangan, Queensland, Australia. It's like a community center and library from a long time ago. It was built in 1912 and is now protected as a heritage site. This means it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of the School of Arts
The Yangan School of Arts started in 1897. Its first building was on the north side of King Street. In 1912, they built this second, new building on the south side. Yangan was a small but busy town back then.
Yangan's Early Days
The area around Yangan was first explored in 1827. Later, in 1840, a large farm called Canning Downs was set up. Yangan grew to support local industries. These included cutting timber, quarrying sandstone, dairy farming, and other types of farming.
Even before 1884, Yangan had a school, church, and police station. But the town really started to grow when the railway opened. The train line from Warwick to Killarney reached Yangan in 1884. This railway helped farmers transport their goods.
What Was a School of Arts?
The very first School of Arts in Queensland opened in Brisbane in 1849. These places were like early community centers. They were inspired by "mechanics' institutes" in Britain. These institutes aimed to teach working people new skills.
In Australia, Schools of Arts were often the only places for culture and learning in new towns. They offered meeting rooms, halls, libraries, and technical education. Over time, as governments took on some of these roles, Schools of Arts became more focused on fun activities.
The Yangan School of Arts in Action
The Yangan School of Arts was a busy place. Members could borrow books from the library. They could also read newspapers and magazines in the reading room. Local groups often rented out the rooms for their meetings.
The School of Arts also hosted many fun events. These events helped raise money for the building and its services. It was a central spot for social life in the area.
A New Building for a Growing Town
The first Yangan School of Arts building was built around 1898. It was later bought by the local Masonic Lodge in 1912. This building is now known as the Yangan Masonic Hall.
The School of Arts committee wanted a bigger and better space. They planned to add a billiard room and more. In 1909, they asked the Railway Department for a new piece of land.
In June 1912, plans were made for a brand new building. The new building was designed by W. Kemp. It would have three rooms: a reading room, a library, and a committee room. It was made of timber with a lovely verandah. Sam Fagg built it for £264.
The new Yangan School of Arts opened on October 19, 1912. The Minister for Railways officially opened it. A newspaper called the Warwick Argus said it was a "well-found little institution of high public utility." On its opening night, 80 books were borrowed from the library!
Remembering Heroes
In April 1919, a special board was put up to honor those who served in World War I. Later, in 1949, another board was added for World War II. These "honour boards" are still in the building today.
After the wars, many similar places struggled. In 1946, people worried about the Yangan School of Arts. Radio and movies meant fewer people visited. But the community worked hard to keep it going.
Still Standing Strong Today
Even though the railway closed in 1964, the Yangan School of Arts is still active. Many other similar places have closed, but this one has survived.
Today, the School of Arts is still a valuable place for the community. Many local groups use its rooms. These include a play group, the Ladies Guild, and the Country Women's Association. It continues to be an important part of Yangan life.
Exploring the Building: What It Looks Like
The Yangan School of Arts is a single-story timber building. It sits on the main street of Yangan, King Street. It has a simple design with a hipped roof made of corrugated iron.
Outside the Building
The front of the building faces the street. It has a beautiful verandah with a central entrance porch. This porch has a pointed roof. The verandah has a wooden railing and decorative lattice panels. There are also fancy cast iron decorations.
Three sets of French doors lead onto the verandah. The middle doors are solid, while the side ones have glass. The front of the building is covered in timber planks. The other sides are covered in fibrous cement planks.
Inside the Building
The building has a rectangular shape. It is divided into three main rooms: the Reading Room, the Library, and the Kitchen. The Kitchen used to be the committee room.
The Reading Room and Library have walls made of vertical timber boards. The Reading Room also has a timber picture rail. The Kitchen walls are covered in fibrous cement. All the ceilings are made of timber boards. The Reading Room has two decorative metal ceiling roses. The Library and Kitchen each have one.
Special Features Inside
Inside the Reading Room, you'll find the two war memorial honour boards. They are made of silky oak and marble. One is for World War I, and the other is for World War II and Vietnam.
There are also two old wooden reading tables in the Reading Room. People believe these tables have been there since the building first opened. The Library still holds a large collection of books.
Why It's Important: Heritage Listing
The Yangan School of Arts was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
Schools of Arts were very important in Queensland's past. They were like the first public libraries, technical colleges, and cultural centers. The Yangan School of Arts shows how towns like Yangan grew and developed. It reminds us of a time when the town was very busy and successful.
A Rare Survivor
Many Schools of Arts buildings across Queensland no longer exist. But the Yangan School of Arts building and the organization itself are still here. This makes it a rare and special part of Queensland's history. It also holds the district's war memorials, which are very important to the community.
A Typical Example of Its Kind
This building is a great example of a School of Arts. It clearly shows the main features of these places. The Reading Room and Library are central to the building's purpose. The fact that its book collection still exists is also very special.
Beautiful Design
The School of Arts is a simple timber building. But its front entrance is very decorative. The gabled porch and verandah with their fancy screens make it stand out. This design was chosen to show that it was an important public building on the town's main street.
Strong Community Connection
For almost a hundred years, the Yangan School of Arts has played a huge role in the town. It has been a place for learning, culture, and social gatherings. It has a strong and special connection with the people of Yangan and the surrounding area.
