Mundaring Weir Hall

Parent Place or Precinct

16610 Goldfields Water Supply Scheme

Statement of Significance

The Mundaring Weir Hall (Mechanic Institute) has very high social and historical significance for Mundaring, for it's associations with the early community supporting the Weir, pumping stations, forestry and agricultural industry of the area.

Physical Description

The Mundaring Weir Hall is opposite the Mundaring Weir Hotel on the corner of Weir Village Road (formerly Mundaring Weir Road) and Hall Road. The brick building is a simple rectangular form with corrugated iron roof and gable walls at each end. The brick walls, sitting on granite footings, are of "English" bond, although the rear wall has been built of framed construction clad with corrugated iron awaiting future extensions which have not occurred. The long brick side walls have three evenly spaced windows with highlights and arched brick lintels. The front brick gable end wall is tall and imposing, incorporating a central ledged and braced double entry door with highlight over and arched brick lintel. Either side of the door a pair of windows with arched brick lintels balances the symmetry. The triangular peak of the gable entry wall is finished with a roughcast stucco rendered panel inset with three narrow, vertical ventilation louvres separated by brick piers. The overall effect is one of Federation Free Style / Arts and Crafts styling. The front wall contains an engraved marble foundation stone which has to compete for attention with unsympathetic signage (including the "Gallery" sign) on the wall which, together with an intrusive meter box and power connection, detract from the frontage.

History

As local community and education centres, halls and Mechanics Institutes were an important part of early social and cultural history. Western Australia's first Mechanics Institute was established in Perth in January 1851. The closest one for hills residents was at Guildford, built in 1865. In 1906, the same year Midland Junction opened their Mechanics Institute, Mundaring Weir citizens, Harry Ball, Eli Willis, Fred Jacoby and Engineer-in-Charge of the No. 1 Pumping Station, Mr. A Eggleton, began to raise funds for the Mundaring Weir Hall and Mechanics Institute. Delays in construction caused by storm damage meant the building was not ready for official opening until April 1908. A crowd of 200 people attended the opening by M.L.A. Mr A.C. Gull. The foundation stone shows the name of James Price, Minister for Works and Mr Jordan as the Builder. An indication that the community was expected to grow can be seen in the temporary nature of the corrugated iron rear of the Hall.
In the 1920s and 30s, after the forestry headquarters were established at nearby 'Portagabra' (Site 60), the hall and nearby tennis courts were used for dances and tennis. Between c 1947 and 1951, when the wall of the Mundaring Weir (Site 55), was being raised, children of the construction workforce were taught here as an overflow class from the Mundaring Weir school (Site 58). The building was well used by local people until, with declining population levels, it fell into disrepair. In the early 1980's, the Shire of Mundaring rehabilitated the building for use by community groups.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High - although the Hall is now used as a Gallery

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.