In his reminiscences of 1913, Mr Isaac Whereat wrote 'The first school of Arts was started about 1863 or 1864. Mr Geo. Wilson was elected president and Mr E. R. Whereat (aged 23) honorary secretary and treasurer. It was situated in a building occupied by Mr Raper, a tailor, at the corner of Scott and High Streets.'[1]
It was afterwards removed to one of Mr Merrell's brick cottages in Rouse Street. In 1869 or 1870 they built the first School of Arts on the present site. It was slab building with a single roof and looked like a big barn. A year or so later public interest intensified and a bazaar was held and funds collected. The town and Country Journal of August 30, 1879 wrote 'The first meeting was held on March 9, 1871, when the Institution was organized and the committee appointed Mr J. F. W. Addision, Police Magistrate, was the first president. Great interest was manifested in the information, and subscriptions were collected, together with a bazaar to obtain funds, and a considerable sum was realised towards the erected of a building'.[1][2]:21
On 26 November 1875 Mrs Lee, wife of Mr C. A. Lee who was Mayor and also president of the institution laid the foundation stone. It was opened on 7 September 1876, with great show, the day being observed as a general holiday.[1]
The new School of Arts became the centre of community life with the town's first agricultural show being held in the building and adjoining grounds on 5–6 April 1877. The founders of the School of Arts were actively involved in the town's inaugural show with Edward Reeves Whereat presiding over the first meeting of the Tenterfield Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society when it was first formed in the late 1876. An original trustee of the School of Arts, Edward Irby of Bolivia Station was subsequently elected president.[1]
In 1880 the Tenterfield Post and Telegraph office was completed.[1]
During this period after the School of Arts was opened, in November 1882 events unfolded in Sydney which would ultimately embroil Tenterfield in the historic events that have given the School of Arts much of its cultural significance.[1]
On 17 November Sir Henry Parkes, as Premier of New South Wales, had dissolved Parliament of New South Wales after the government was defeated on a Bill to modify controversial land laws created by his government some years before. Parkes looked beyond the current crisis to an extended term in office in which new achievements would crown his career.[1]
In 1882 Edward Whereat retired and proposed Parkes as Member for Tenterfield. At the official nomination Whereat spoke warmly of "...the good likely to accrue to the district from being represented by a man of such ability, power and influence as Sir Henry Parkes". Tenterfield's mayor, David Corney, seconded the nomination and to enthusiastic cheers Parkes was elected unopposed.[1]
A banquet in the School of Arts was held in February 1883 to honour Parkes' first trip to Tenterfield. In 1884 Parkes finished his term as Member for Tenterfield.[1]
Sports organised by local school teacher Mr David Alexander Pike were held at the showground in September 1901 by the Fallen Soldiers Memorial Committee, in aid of the fund to erect a memorial to the local bushmen lost, in conjunction with the Tenterfield Mounted Rifles.
In 1935 A. D. Donnelly commenced his effort to protect and recognise the importance of the School of Arts. In 1937 Messers McMaster and Potts of Wallangarra, owners of the Lyric Theatre, attempted to take over the "School of Arts Talkies" from the Literary Institute. In 1938, the Literary Institute temporarily stopped the take over by the Lyric Theatre. In April 1938 the Lyric Theatre discontinued screening at the School of Arts.[1]
In 1942 World War II was in full swing, the military authorities took over the School of Arts Main Hall. The military vacated the Main Hall in 1944.[1]
In 1952 the controversy over the condition and use of the School of Arts began again. The Lyric Theatre and Motion Picture Exhibitor's Association joined the controversy and tried to have the licence to screen film revoked. In 1953 the Chief Secretary's Department cancelled the licence to screen films. The big name appeal committee formed to protect the School of Arts after the constant persistence of A. vD. Donnnelly. Pleas were heard in 1954 - 58 by the Chief Secretary for panic lighting and safety inspection.[1]
The building was threatened with demolition in the 1950s, but was saved after an extended community campaign, which saw the formation of the National Trust of Australia. In 1957, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) acquired its first property, the Tenterfield School of Arts, which was transferred by an Act of Parliament. In 1957 Tax deductibility for donations made to the National Trust funded the commencement of restoration. After refurbishment was carried out in 1960 the Main Public Hall was leased to Tenterfield Municipal Council for 30 years. Restoration and maintenance was completed during the 1960s.[1] After being renamed the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts, the building became the first museum operated by the Trust in Australia, containing a range of memorabilia related to the history of Federation and the local area. It is open to the public seven days a week.
A library, function centre, cinema and theatre are housed in the School of Arts building.[3]
In 1996 a council meeting was held to discuss the opportunity of Federation of Centenary. In 1997 a Conservation Management Plan commenced.[1][2]:15–17
Description
There are four major stages of construction, following the demolition of the 1871 slab barn - 1876, 1884, 1903 and 1913. These construction dates embrace different architectural style which are expressive of the separate eras in which each part was built.[1]
The School of Arts as it exists today, is really a complex of separate buildings.[1]
The original part of the existing school of Arts complex, consisting of a Hall and Reading rooms built in 1876, was the culmination of community effort following the establishment of a Reading Room in 1863 by Edward Reeves Whereat when the township was barely ten years old.[1]
In 1884 the building more than doubled in size with the addition of a No. 2 Hall to the east, a new bay to the south and gabled frontispieces to the Rouse St facade. These elements were constructed in a mixed Victorian Rustic Gothic and Victorian Romanesque styles.[1]
The Main Hall in Federation Free Classical style, completed in 1903, is a memorial to men from Tenterfield who gave their lives during the Boer War, 1898–1901.[1]
The Billiard Room, designed by F. J. Madigan, was completed in 1913 towards the end of period uniquely nationalist architectural expression not known as the Federation Style.[1][2]:59–64
The local community and The National Trust in recognising the significance of the site and maintaining, its original characteristics have maintained the integrity of the building.[1]
Modifications and dates
Since its construction the following modifications have been made to the School of Arts:[1][2]:14–17
1884–additions were made, including the steep gable entry portico and enlarged room to Rouse St elevation and construction of rooms under skillion roof along eastern façade.
1902–construction of the Boer War Memorial arched entry portico and Main Public Hall to the south of the original hall facing Rouse St took place.
1903–Main Public Hall opened.
1912–original timber shingled roof replaced with corrugated galvanized iron.
1913–demolition of rooms occurred at the rear of original hall adjacent to Manners St and construction of Billiard Room, now known as the A. D. Donnelly Hall.
1931–plans made for alterations to the biograph room. Sound screens were installed.
1952–controversy over the condition of the School of Arts following the resignation of A. G. Nelmes from committee after thirty five years.
1958–the Local Management Committee appointed by the National Trust. Restoration commenced.
1960 to 1968–refurbishment works were carried out, verandahs were removed from Rouse St due to interference with cars and renovations to the Billiard Room were carried out to convert it for general use. Probable addition of toilet to west end of dressing rooms and linking corridor wall to Kitchen wall. Construction of retaining walls and dish drains to eastern side of Committee Room and to the renamed A. D. Donnelly Hall.
1982–construction of sealed car park, kerbs and gutters on land adjacent to the eastern side of the building.
Heritage listing
As at 11 October 2000, the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts is of historic significance as the venue for the now famous "Tenterfield Oration" delivered by Sir Henry Parkes on 24 October 1889. The School of Arts has also has a long social and cultural association with the construction of Tenterfield as a community and the functioning as a community facility. Architecturally Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts is a prominent building reflecting the society and era dating back to the 1870s. The building and location reflect the beginning of a community functioning politically and creatively as a whole.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts is of historic significance as the venue for the now famous "Tenterfield Oration" delivered by Sir Henry Parkes on 24 October 1889. The Tenterfield Municipal Library operates in the School of Arts today having maintained continuous occupancy of the site with this function since its predecessor, the Literary institute, was first established there in 1871. The halls within the complex continue their historical function as the main meeting place of the town. The school is the first building to be held in custodianship by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).[1][2]:108
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
The School of Arts has a landmark presence in the Town. The building is constructed of four aesthetically significant styles: First is the original part consisting of a Hall and Reading Rooms built in 1876. This was followed by the building in 1884 in mixed Victorian Rustic Gothic/ Romanesque style. Third, in 1903 a Federation Free Classical Style was completed with the addition of a number 2 Hall to the east, and finally, the Billiard Room was completed in 1913, consisting of a Federation style design.[1][2]:109
The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
The 1875 School of Arts was executed in a function and rudimentary style and the culmination of efforts to fashion and a cultural centre in a pioneer town. The town still represents a community meeting place for the people of Tenterfield. The Main Hall is a memorial to the men from Tenterfield who lost their lives in the Boer War, which ushered in Australia's independent nationhood. This (memorial) Hall is considerably significant through having been created by some of Australia's earliest and best soldiers who grew out of the Upper Clarence Light Horse, established in 1885. The Billiard Room is of moderate significance. It became, as well as its intended use as gathering place for the men of the town to play billiards, a gathering place for the names of the 117 young men of the town who were absent in the Great European War of then indeterminate duration.[1][2]:113
The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.
The Tenterfield's School of Arts depicts the evolution of the School of Arts movement in the stages of its development. Its Original Hall and Reading Rooms represents a humble balance between entertainment and education objectives while later extension demonstrate a drift in emphasis towards entertainment (the Main Hall ) and recreation (the Billiard Room). The phased development leaves a legible testimony to the rise and fall in the importance of the School of Arts.[1][2]:111
Tenterfield is a regional town in New South Wales, Australia, situated at the junction of the New England and Bruxner highways, along the Northern Tablelands, within the New England region. At the 2016 census, Tenterfield had a population of 4,066. Tenterfield's proximity to many regional centres and its position on the route between Sydney and Brisbane led to its development as a centre for the promotion of the federation of Australia.
The Anzac Memorial is a heritage-listed war memorial, museum and monument located in Hyde Park South near Liverpool Street in the CBD of Sydney, Australia. The Art Deco monument was designed by C. Bruce Dellit, with the exterior adorned with monumental figural reliefs and sculptures by Rayner Hoff, and built from 1932 to 1934 by Kell & Rigby. This state-owned property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 April 2010.
The Tenterfield Oration was a speech given by Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of the Colony of New South Wales at the Tenterfield School of Arts in Tenterfield, in rural New South Wales, Australia, on 24 October 1889. In the Oration, Parkes called for the Federation of the six Australian colonies, which were at the time self-governing but under the distant central authority of the British Colonial Secretary. The speech is considered to be the start of the federation process in Australia, which led to the foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia 12 years later.
The Sydney Mint in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is the oldest surviving public building in the Sydney central business district. Built between 1811 and 1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney Hospital, it was then known as the Rum Hospital. In 1854 a mint was established on the site with the hospital building used to house mint staff as well as providing a residence for the Deputy Mint Master. A coining factory was built at the rear. Both of these structures have exceptional heritage significance and have been associated with major events in the colonial history of New South Wales.
The Yanco Agricultural High School, abbreviated as YAHS, is a government-funded co-educational academically selective and specialist secondary boarding school, located in Yanco in the Leeton Shire local government area, in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia.
The Parliament House in Sydney is a heritage-listed complex of buildings housing the Parliament of the state of New South Wales, Australia. The building is located on the east side of Macquarie Street in Sydney, the state capital. The façade consists of a two-storey Georgian building, the oldest public building in the City of Sydney, flanked by two Neo-gothic additions containing the parliamentary chambers. These buildings are linked to a 1970s 12-storey block at the rear, facing onto the Domain. It is also known as Parliament of New South Wales, Parliamentary Precincts and the Rum Hospital.
The Old Government House is a heritage-listed former "country" residence used by ten early governors of New South Wales between 1800 and 1847, located in Parramatta Park in Parramatta, New South Wales, in the greater metropolitan area of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is considered a property of national and international significance as an archaeological resource. It also serves to demonstrate how the British Empire expanded and Australian society has evolved since 1788.
J J Cahill Memorial High School is a public co-educational secondary day school, located on Sutherland Street in Mascot, an inner southern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The school is operated by the NSW Department of Education with students from Year 7 to Year 12. Established in 1961 as a comprehensive high school, the school was named in honour of John Joseph Cahill, the local member of parliament and the Premier of New South Wales from 1952 to his death in 1959. The school is one of four NSW state schools with "memorial" in its name, alongside Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School in Tenterfield, Hay War Memorial High School, and Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth.
Varney Parkes was an Australian politician, architect and son of Henry Parkes.
The Tenterfield railway station is a heritage-listed closed railway station and now railway museum located on the Main Northern line, Tenterfield, Tenterfield Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It served the town of Tenterfield and opened on 1 September 1886 when the line was extended from Glen Innes. It was the terminus of the line until it was extended to Wallangarra on 16 January 1888. The railway station was designed by William Murray under the direction of John Whitton, the Chief Engineer of NSW Government Railways, and built during 1886. It is also known as Tenterfield Railway Station group. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The station has one platform with two loops.
Carcoar School of Arts is a heritage-listed former municipal chambers and library and now community centre and museum at Icely Street, Carcoar, Blayney Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as the Municipal Council Chambers. The property is owned by the School of Arts Community Hall Carcoar Inc. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Wellington Post Office is a heritage-listed post office located at 21 Maughan Street, Wellington in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Colonial Architect’s Office, under the direction of James Barnet, and built between 1869 and 1904. The property, which is owned by Australia Post, was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.
The Urana Soldiers' Memorial Hall is a heritage-listed community hall located at Anna Street, Urana, Federation Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by George Sheppard and by Sidney James Hunnings. The Hall was built between 1884 and 1924. It is also known as the Soldiers Hall, Mechanics Institute Hall and School of Arts Hall. The property is owned by Federation Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 8 April 2016.
The Tenterfield Post Office is a heritage-listed post office located at 225 Rouse Street, Tenterfield, Tenterfield Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by NSW Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet and built from 1881 to by T. & J. McGuaran, later T. A. Lewis. It is also known as the Tenterfield Post Office and Quarters. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 17 December 1999.
Wingham Memorial Town Hall is a heritage-listed town hall at 52 Farquhar Street, Wingham, Mid-Coast Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by James T. Chambers and built from 1922 to 1924. It is also known as Wingham Town Hall and Wingham Council Chambers. The property is owned by Mid-Coast Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 8 April 2016.
Inverell Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 97 Otho Street, Inverell, Inverell Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by NSW Government Architect’s Office under Walter Liberty Vernon. and built in 1904 by G. F. Nott. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 June 2000.
Laurieton School of Arts is a heritage-listed school of arts, now used as a community hall and neighbourhood centre, at the corner of Laurie and Bold Streets, Laurieton, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Sydney architect James H. Bolster and built from 1911 to 1912 by Taree contractor E. Bacon. The property is owned by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
The Railway Institute building is a heritage-listed former educational facility and social venue at 101 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was built from 1891 to 1898. It is also known as the Institute building. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
New South Wales Club building is a heritage-listed former clubhouse and now offices located at 31 Bligh Street, in the Sydney central business district, in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by William Wardell and built from 1886 to 1887 by John Try. It housed the New South Wales Club from 1886 until the club's amalgamation with the Australian Club in 1969. It was then sold and the two rear wings demolished in 1973 before the surviving front portion was converted to offices. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
St Peter's Anglican Church is a heritage-listed Anglican church and associated Sunday school, rectory, and cemetery at 384 Windsor Street, Richmond, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Francis Clarke and Edmund Blacket and built from 1836 to 1841 by James Atkinson (church). It is also known as St Peter's Anglican Church Group, St Peter's Church Group, Church, Rectory, Church Yard, Cemetery and Stables. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 16 August 2019; and on the City of Hawkesbury local government heritage register, and listed on the New South Wales Heritage Database on 12 September 2012.
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