Katanning Town Hall Buildings

Child Places

• 03317 Mechanics' Institute, Katanning

Statement of Significance

• The building is a fine example of the architectural style defined as 'Stripped Classical' designed by respected architects and has considerable architectural interest and aesthetic value. • The place has high historical value because of its association with important institutions in Katanning such as the Mechanics' Institute,the Roads Board and the Agricultural Committee. • The place has performed an important social function and provided a popular social venue for the local community over many years with the active participation of prominent members of the community Aesthetic Value: The Katanning Town Hall is a fine representative example of the style described by Apperley, Irving and Reynolds as Inter War Stripped Classical. The building fa9ade incorporates many characteristics of classical architecture with the elements assembled in an imposing and aesthetically satisfying composition that denotes the importance of the building in this major regional centre. The building complex has aesthetic importance for its design quality. In conjunction with the Mechanics' Institute Hall which now forms an integral part of the building complex, the Katanning Town Hall contributes significantly to the Austral Terrace streetscape and constitutes a significant landmark in the town. Historic value: The place represents and reflects the historical importance of Katanning as a major regional centre in the WA wheatbelt. Its landmark position fronting the railway and main streets of the town recognises its significant central place in the historical development of the town and in the civic life of the district. Social value: Katanning Town Hall has social value for its evolution from the old Mechanics' Institute and its role in contributing to the education of working people and subsequently the wider community in Katanning, through the provision of a lending library. It continues to fulfill this function as the Shire's Public Library. The place represents a way of life no longer practised, when relatively difficult transportation and communication, largely dependant on the horse, or subsequently the railway, limited opportunities for social gatherings. It demonstrates ways of life in an isolated agricultural community and has associations with the development of the Great Southern area. The place has associations with the State Government and with important civic identities. The hall has provided an important meeting place for the local community over many years and has been a major centre for discussion and decision-making regarding the development of the area, as well as a centre for social functions both formal and informal. Rarity: The place is an unusual example of a large regional Town Hall and is a unique expression of this style. It is quite unusual, being different in style to any of the other regional Town Halls and demonstrates a unique physical record of a number of successive building campaigns .. Representativeness: Katanning Town Hall represents the important place in the community of a regional Town Hall and through its association with the Agricultural Committee and the Mechanics' Institute demonstrates part of the ethos of collaborative and cooperative effort in a rural community, and the concern for the education and improvement of its working people. Condition: The place is in good condition, is well maintained and preserved, being in almost original condition in most areas, with high integrity and authenticity. Integrity and Authenticity: Despite a number of alterations and additions over time, its Authenticity and Integrity are high. The current use of the building as the Shire library is compatible with the original purpose of the Mechanics' Institute hall and both halls are still fundamentally as originally constructed and serve many of the same functions for which they were constructed.

Physical Description

Katanning Town Hall is an imposing two storey brick structure facing the major street, (Austral Tee.) and the railway in central Katanning. Originally a single storey building, the two storey front section was added in 1928 in the style defined by Apperly, Irving and Reynolds as 'Inter­ War Stripped Classical'. This structure runs across the front of both old and new halls, presenting a unified appearance linking the two halls into one building complex. The basically symmetrical fa9ade has a simple surface of rendered and painted brickwork divided into vertical bays by pairs of simplified pilasters using classical proportions but stripped of all classical ornament. These are surmounted by a simplified classical entablature and parapet, also stripped of ornamentation except for simple geometric shapes and pierced geometric pattern to sections of the parapet. At the time of assessment the rendered walls are painted a terra cotta colour with pilasters, cornices and and window sills painted white. The two entrances from Austral Terrace are distinguished by semi-circular breaks in the entablature above, each surrounding a circular window and surmounted by a vestigial pediment. On the second storey there are 8 large windows at the front with semi-circular arched heads, symmetrical about the white painted lantern cupola with ventilation slats sitting on top of the ridge of the transverse corrugated metal gable roof. The other sections of the building are also covered by metal gable roofs. The apparent symmetry of the facade, typical of classical buildings, is in fact an illusion because there is an additional bay on the right hand side of the front. There are separate entrances to the Public Library and the main Hall and there is a staircase to the right of the foyer leading to the auditorium which in tum leads to an upstairs theatre gallery, offices of Silver Chain, the Genealogical Society and an original small council office for paying rates etc. The main hall, which is adjacent to the original Mechanics' Institute hall, has a large auditorium with a stage, fly tower and good facilities for theatrical performances and the showing of films. The interior has jarrah floors, fine ornate plaster ceiling details, decorative frames around doors with semi-circular arches above, containing fine Art Nouveau stained glass windows.

History

Assessment 2000 Construction 1896, 1907 1896 NIK; 1907 J. Herbert Eales 1928 Eales & Cohen; 1979 Henderson & Thompson Builder: 1896 George Thomas; 1907 Alex Thomson; 1928 Alex Thomson 1979 V.C. Philpot The Katanning Town Hall is a building complex which has evolved from the original Mechanics' Institute Hall in three main stages. Officially opened in 1897, it became known in 1899 as the Mechanics' Institute and Public Hall after it was decided at a public meeting to amalgamate the Institute and the Agricultural Hall Committee. The Roads Board also leased a room in the Hall for their office. In 1907 a new Mechanics' Hall was erected next to the old one including four shops, a main entrance, a spacious cloakroom, a ticket office, a large stage and dressing rooms. The existing hall was also refurbished at the same time using brick partitioning and incorporating a reading room and library, billiards room and caretaker's quarters. Extensive additions and alterations were completed in 1928 including the addition of a second storey and the construction of the frontage, now the main facade of the building. The architects were Eales & Cohen of Perth. The building was at this time more commonly referred to as the Town Hall. A library was added within the front section of the building in 1944. In 1979 improved backstage facilities were added together with other additions and alterations. The foundation stone for the Katanning Town Hall, originally called the Agricultural Hall was laid on 22nd August 1896 by the Hon. F. H. Piesse MLA. According to the Municipal Inventory, the Katanning Town Hall was made possible by a donation of 10,000 bricks by F. and C. Piesse, plus a government subsidy and voluntary Jabour to cart the bricks, sand and lime. The opening ceremony was reported in the Australian The original Agricultural Hall cost 3,000 pounds to build, the contractor being Mr. George Thomas, and the contractor for the woodwork was Mr. Andrew Stewart. It as officially opened in 1897. In 1899 it became known as the Mechanics' Institute and Public Hall after it was decided at a public meeting to amalgamate the Mechanics' Institute and the Agricultural Hall committee. Improvements were carried out to the hall at this time, giving the Mechanics' Institute members permanent quarters. By 1903 some ill feeling had developed between the Institute members and the agriculturalists over the suggestion to change the name to the more simple "Mechanics' Institute (Inc.)". The Roads Board also leased a room in the hall for their office at this time. In 1907 a new Mechanics' Hall was erected next to the old one, which was by now in a state of disrepair, and included "four shops, a main entrance, a spacious cloakroom, a ticket office, a large stage and dressing rooms" 1 The architect was J. Herbert Eales and the contractor was Alex Thomson. The existing hall was also renovated at the same time, using brick partitioning and incorporated a reading room and library as well as a billiards room and caretakers quarters. Not long after this work the Roads Board offices were also refurbished. Contractors connected with the building were: - B. Makutz who made wrought iron gates, P. Goatcher who designed scenic stage backdrops, Mr.Tindale made the panelled ceiling, F.T.R. Piesse supervised the intricate electric light system and Mr. Andrew Stewart the woodwork. Extensive additions and alterations were completed in 1928, which included the addition of the second storey and the establishment of the unified frontage in the style now apparent at a cost of 6,000 pounds. Architects were Eales & Cohen of Perth, the contractor was again Alex Thomson. The building was then more commonly referred to as The Town Hall. In 1979 further additions and alterations were carried out in a Post war Functionalist manner. The architects at this time were Henderson and Thompson and the building supervisor was V.C. Philpott.

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