Chidlow Hall

Statement of Significance

Chidlow Hall has cultura l heritage significance for the following reasons: • The place is associated with the development of Chidlow and the provision of a public facility that was constructed by the community using funds raised by that community. • The place contributes to the community's sense of place through its long association with community fund-raising events, dances, a venue for religious services and community meetings. • The place is associated with Charles Cook, a local orchardist who provided his services to the community as their local government representative and on a variety of committees that were formed to benefit the local community. • The place is an important surviving component in what was originally the business centre of Chidlow.

Physical Description

Chidlow Hall is located on the eastern side of Old Northam Road, just to the south of the Herbert Street intersection, adjacent to the Chidlow Oval. The 1995 pavilion lies to the south of the Hall. The single storey, rectangular building is timber framed and clad with weatherboards which have been painted brown. The gable roof is covered with corrugated galvanised steel sheets. Running across the full width of the front (western elevation) is a flat roofed verandah supported with steel pipe columns. The gable section above the verandah is clad with painted, corrugated iron. At the rear is a lean-to, with a skillion roof, which accommodates the back stage facilities, together with a brick addition which wraps around to the south eastern corner. The front elevation features a pair of timber entry doors. Above the line of the verandah is a timber board bearing the words "Chidlow Hall". Both the long northern and southern side elevations feature four, evenly spaced double hung sash windows with a pair of doors on the western side of the eastern most window in the north elevation. The interior has a timber floor with an enamelled masonite dado and battened asbestos flat sheeting above. The coved ceiling is battened asbestos flat sheeting. The western wall is partially clad with tongued and grooved boards. A raised timber stage is located at the eastern end of the building with access provided through the brick addition. The "Chidlows Wells" War Memorial is located on the eastern stage wall on the northern side.

History

Assessment 2007 Construction 1905 Alterations/additions 1950's Builder: Chidlow Wells Progress Association Chidlow developed as a stopping point on the road between Guildford and Northam following the discovery of a water source by the Chidlow brothers in the 1830s. It was gazetted as the town of Chidlow's Well in 1883. For a short time it was the terminus for the Eastern Railway in 1884 until the line was extended between Chidlow's Well and York in 1885. Chidlow's Well remained as an important stopping point as it became a refreshment stop in 1889 and in 1899 the locomotives were able to replenish their water supply following the construction of a large reservoir to the north of the railway line (known today as Lake Leschenaultia). Apart from railway workers the area attracted timber workers and then orchardists. A Progress Association was formed in I 897 and set about establishing public facilities for the township. They managed to set aside a site for a hall and in I 904, a building committee was formed expressly to instigate the erection of a hall. This committee was chaired by local orchardist, Charles Cook, who quickly raised the necessary funds and the hall was officially opened on 26 January 1905. The hall was used for religious services by all denominations, dances, various social events, fund raising activities, particularly during both world wars and as a Sunday school. When a new sports pavilion was constructed to the south of the hall in 1995 usage fell although it is still used for Sunday school classes and dancing classes. It is not known when the intrusive front verandah or the addition at the rear of the hall were added. In 2007, the hall continues to be used by the local community although the Shire of Mundaring has indicated that the hall it wishes to dispose of the building although it is willing to discuss the matter with community groups.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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