| Dulverton Town Hall | |
|---|---|
 Dulverton Town Hall | |
| Location | Fore Street, Dulverton |
| Coordinates | 51°02′24″N3°33′02″W / 51.0401°N 3.5505°W |
| Built | 1866 |
| Architectural style(s) | Neoclassical style |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Market Hall |
| Designated | 4 August 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1247925 |
  Shown in Somerset | |
Dulverton Town Hall is a municipal building in Fore Street in Dulverton, Somerset, England. The building, which is the meeting place of Dulverton Town Council, is a Grade II listed building. [1]
The first municipal building on the site was a market hall which was completed in 1760. [2] [3] [4] It was replaced by the current structure, which was designed in the neoclassical style, built in rubble masonry and was completed in around 1866. The design involved a symmetrical main frontage with seven bays facing onto Fore Street: it was originally arcaded on the ground floor, so that markets could be held, with an assembly hall on the first floor. [1] The first floor was fenestrated by sash windows. [1] After market traders moved to other towns, use of the market hall on the ground floor declined, and it was converted for retail use in the 1870s. [5] The openings in the outer and central bays were infilled with doorways, while the openings in the other bays were infilled with round headed windows with radiating glazing bars. [1] In the late 19th century, petty session hearings took place in the building. [6]
A porch and an external double staircase was added to a design by Sir Albert Richardson in 1927. [3] The staircase was straight rather than curved, was decorated by wrought iron railings and was supported by a stone arch: it led to a first-floor porch with wrought iron bars supporting a wrought iron frieze with triglyphs and a flat canopy. [1] The elaborate porch has been described by one architectural historian as "one of Richardson's best works". [7] The upper hall was fitted out with a proscenium arch designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens at this time. [5]
During the Second World War, the building was used a school to teach children evacuated from the major centres of population. [8] The upper hall was also used as a cinema for United States Air Force personnel based at Knightshayes Court and other USAF bases in the local area. [5] [9] The lower ground floor was used as an antiques centre in the late 20th century, [10] and then became a thrift shop, operated by the town hall management committee, with the proceeds being applied to the upkeep of the building. [11] The lower ground floor also became the meeting place of Dulverton Town Council. [12] Meanwhile, the upper hall reverted to use as a cinema, trading as Dulverton Films, in 2010. [5]
Some of the village halls, and Dulverton Town Hall, may ultimately be accounted Richardson's best work