Northam Town Hall/Lesser Hall

Author

Shire of Northam

Place Number

01877

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Location

Wellington St Northam

Location Details

Cnr Wellington & Gordon Sts

Local Government

Northam

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1898, Constructed from 1904

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	19 Feb 2020
State Register	Registered	09 Feb 1996	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Classified by the National Trust	Classified	08 Apr 1980			Heritage Council
Register of the National Estate	Permanent	28 Sep 1982			Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	25 Feb 1998	1.Exceptional significance	1.Exceptional significance Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example. The place should be retained and conserved unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to doing otherwise. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and be in accordance with a Conservation Plan (if one exists for the place).

Statement of Significance

Northam Town Hall and Lesser Hall have considerable architectural merit and is one of the State's finer examples of Free-Classical style. It has historical significance as the civic and social centre of Northam until the mid 1970s, and social significance as the venue for a range of community activities over the years.

Physical Description

This ornate two storey civic building together with the adjoining lesser hall has been called Northam's most grandiose building. The buildings are similar at ground level, with rusticated pier edging and round-arched windows. The single level hall has a large almost semi-circular opening with associated pediment and columns. A pair of engaged piers frame the central door on its main facade. The second floor has pediments above each window and a set of 'swag' ornaments as a part of the decorative cornice.

History

The Northam Town Hall is not located in the main precinct of the town, probably because of strong rivalry between factions favouring east Northam as against west Northam, resulting in a compromise. Cost overruns meant the original design was not fully implemented. A supper room was added in 1901, and the grand Italianate style facade was added in 1904. A proposed clock tower was never built. Inside is an impressive jarrah ceiling, which was built in 1918 when other repairs were carried out. This replaced the original pressed metal ceiling. The Town Hall has been well used over the years, and in earlier times it housed a Council Chamber, a Mayor's parlour and offices for the Council officials. It has been the venue for many drama performances, and the weekly moving picture show was held there. It continues to be a venue for activities such as the Avon Valley Arts Society Music Festival, Art Shows and other events..

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate/high degree
Authenticity: Moderate/high degree

Condition

Good

Associations

Name	Type	Year From	Year To
Henry Prockter	Architect	-	-

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	1998 Municipal Inventory	Town of Northam	1998

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
993	Northam Town Hall Wellington Street, Northam : Conservation Plan	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	1994
3042	Northam Town Hall and Lesser Hall Conservation of Facades: Final Report for the Town of Northam	Report	1997

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Other Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Theatre or Cinema
Original Use	GOVERNMENTAL	Town, Shire or District Hall
Present Use	GOVERNMENTAL	Town, Shire or District Hall

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Free Classical

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Wall	RENDER	Cement Dressed

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Government & politics
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY	Settlements
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Community services & utilities

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

21 Feb 2020

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.