Conserving Rockhampton’s rich cultural history
AHS recently prepared a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the Rockhampton School of Arts (former).
This building has formed a major part of the cultural, social, and civic life of Rockhampton since 1894, and is linked to a previous School of Arts building that existed on the same site from 1865. This iconic building is a fine example of late nineteenth century Victorian Classical architecture and is believed to have been the most expensive School of Arts building constructed in Queensland at the time.
Public demand for a School of Arts
The School of Arts movement traces back to early nineteenth-century United Kingdom, where Mechanics’ Institutes aimed to provide education to working men. In Australia, these institutions, (often called Schools of Arts), served a broader social function. Reading rooms, museums, lectures, and classes were still important, but Schools of Arts in Australia were also more likely to include a social programme in their calendar of events.
In July 1861, a public meeting was held where it was agreed the town of Rockhampton needed a School of Arts. The proposal was supported by a number of local residents, to encourage the diffusion of knowledge amongst members.
One acre of land was set aside in the town plan for this purpose, but a lack of funds delayed construction. By 1864, the community had raised £400, which the government matched, allowing plans to be submitted by local architects Laing and Den Taaffe.
In October that year, the tender was awarded to contractors Downland & Hartley, and a single-story brick building was complete by February 1865. Public engagement was initially low, but by 1890, membership slowly grew, and the library collection expanded from 250 to 7,000 books. In the early 1880s, part of the reserve along William Street was leased for commercial use, leading to the construction of a hotel, which became known as the Queensland Hotel in 1881.
Soon after its opening, the building faced structural issues, leading to instability in its foundations. Underpinning work was carried out in 1867, but by 1881 further movement led to more damage. By 1893, the building had deteriorated beyond repair, and Mount Morgan investor John Ferguson advanced £5000 for a replacement. The original building was demolished, and a new School of Arts was constructed.
The School of Arts that locals know today on Bolsover Street, Rockhampton was opened on March 6, 1894, in the presence of the Governor. The event attracted such fanfare that it was declared a public holiday. The design for the new School of Arts is attributed to local architect William (Walter) Cherry.
First Rockhampton School of Arts Hall (The Capricornian 1926:1)
A local legacy
Throughout the years, the School of Arts hall became a place for entertainment and social gatherings for the community, hosting various political rallies, committees, lectures and even fancy-dress events.
During the 1920s, the School of Arts hall was licensed as a place of public amusement and entertainment. In the post-war period, it became home to the Rockhampton School of Arts Little Theatre (later known as Rockhampton Little Theatre), and in 1949, the Rockhampton and District Historical Society occupied the upper floor of the library.
Over time, the School of Arts building fell into disrepair, with demolition considered. However, in its centenary year in 1994, a conservation plan was commissioned, recommending conservation and adaptive reuse.
An updated CMP was prepared in 2005 by Riddell Architecture, followed by structural repair proposals in 2006. Restoration work began, alongside plans for a new two-storey library behind the building, which was completed in 2008.
In 2010, the restored School of Arts reopened as Council offices, with a restored staircase in its double storey hall and reopened verandahs – reinstating its original appearance as a nineteenth century civic building.
Rockhampton School of Arts, c. 1908 (SLQ Image No: 29883 - 0001 - 0057)
Moving forward
As part of the building’s ongoing protection, AHS developed an updated CMP for the place to ensure that best practice heritage conservation initiatives are being implemented for any current and future works. The highly intact and decorative exterior of the Rockhampton School of Arts holds much significance and is a prominent feature in the Bolsover Street streetscape. Few changes are evident from construction in 1894, noting refurbishment works carried out in 2010 to rectify the enclosed verandahs. Whilst there has been a loss of some internal features, the overall design and layout of the building is close to original
AHS continuously assists Rockhampton Regional Council in the management of their heritage places and assets, regularly developing CMPs amongst other technical reporting, providing ongoing advice and support. The Rockhampton School of Arts is just one of the many heritage places that AHS have worked on in Rockhampton recently.
The Rockhampton School of Arts is not only a reflection of the cultural and social development of Rockhampton, but the overall School of Arts movement throughout Queensland in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Contact us
AHS offers a range of heritage services, specialising in traditional and emerging sectors, from war history to large-scale renewable infrastructure. We provide a sense of heritage identity in a fast-changing world – preserving history and paving the way for a better future.
To discover how we may be able to assist on your next project, contact us today here or phone (07) 3221 0000. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn.
You might also like to read:
The Challenge
The School of Arts movement traces back to early nineteenth-century United Kingdom, where Mechanics’ Institutes aimed to provide education to working men. In Australia, these institutions, (often called Schools of Arts), served a broader social function. Reading rooms, museums, lectures, and classes were still important, but Schools of Arts in Australia were also more likely to include a social programme in their calendar of events.
In July 1861, a public meeting was held where it was agreed the town of Rockhampton needed a School of Arts. The proposal was supported by a number of local residents, to encourage the diffusion of knowledge amongst members.
One acre of land was set aside in the town plan for this purpose, but a lack of funds delayed construction. By 1864, the community had raised £400, which the government matched, allowing plans to be submitted by local architects Laing and Den Taaffe.
In October that year, the tender was awarded to contractors Downland & Hartley, and a single-story brick building was complete by February 1865. Public engagement was initially low, but by 1890, membership slowly grew, and the library collection expanded from 250 to 7,000 books. In the early 1880s, part of the reserve along William Street was leased for commercial use, leading to the construction of a hotel, which became known as the Queensland Hotel in 1881.
Soon after its opening, the building faced structural issues, leading to instability in its foundations. Underpinning work was carried out in 1867, but by 1881 further movement led to more damage. By 1893, the building had deteriorated beyond repair, and Mount Morgan investor John Ferguson advanced £5000 for a replacement. The original building was demolished, and a new School of Arts was constructed.
The School of Arts that locals know today on Bolsover Street, Rockhampton was opened on March 6, 1894, in the presence of the Governor. The event attracted such fanfare that it was declared a public holiday. The design for the new School of Arts is attributed to local architect William (Walter) Cherry.
How we helped
Throughout the years, the School of Arts hall became a place for entertainment and social gatherings for the community, hosting various political rallies, committees, lectures and even fancy-dress events.
During the 1920s, the School of Arts hall was licensed as a place of public amusement and entertainment. In the post-war period, it became home to the Rockhampton School of Arts Little Theatre (later known as Rockhampton Little Theatre), and in 1949, the Rockhampton and District Historical Society occupied the upper floor of the library.
Over time, the School of Arts building fell into disrepair, with demolition considered. However, in its centenary year in 1994, a conservation plan was commissioned, recommending conservation and adaptive reuse.
An updated CMP was prepared in 2005 by Riddell Architecture, followed by structural repair proposals in 2006. Restoration work began, alongside plans for a new two-storey library behind the building, which was completed in 2008.
In 2010, the restored School of Arts reopened as Council offices, with a restored staircase in its double storey hall and reopened verandahs – reinstating its original appearance as a nineteenth century civic building.
Results
As part of the building’s ongoing protection, AHS developed an updated CMP for the place to ensure that best practice heritage conservation initiatives are being implemented for any current and future works. The highly intact and decorative exterior of the Rockhampton School of Arts holds much significance and is a prominent feature in the Bolsover Street streetscape. Few changes are evident from construction in 1894, noting refurbishment works carried out in 2010 to rectify the enclosed verandahs. Whilst there has been a loss of some internal features, the overall design and layout of the building is close to original
AHS continuously assists Rockhampton Regional Council in the management of their heritage places and assets, regularly developing CMPs amongst other technical reporting, providing ongoing advice and support. The Rockhampton School of Arts is just one of the many heritage places that AHS have worked on in Rockhampton recently.
The Rockhampton School of Arts is not only a reflection of the cultural and social development of Rockhampton, but the overall School of Arts movement throughout Queensland in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Contact us
AHS offers a range of heritage services, specialising in traditional and emerging sectors, from war history to large-scale renewable infrastructure. We provide a sense of heritage identity in a fast-changing world – preserving history and paving the way for a better future.
To discover how we may be able to assist on your next project, contact us today here or phone (07) 3221 0000. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn.
You might also like to read:
