Tenterfield School of Arts

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.' 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. In 1996 a council meeting was held to discuss the opportunity of Federation of Centenary. In 1997 a Conservation Management Plan commenced. == 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. The School of Arts as it exists today, is really a complex of separate buildings. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Modifications and dates Since its construction the following modifications have been made to the School of Arts: • 1884additions 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. • 1902construction of the Boer War Memorial arched entry portico and Main Public Hall to the south of the original hall facing Rouse St took place. • 1903Main Public Hall opened. • 1912original timber shingled roof replaced with corrugated galvanized iron. • 1913demolition 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. • 1931plans made for alterations to the biograph room. Sound screens were installed. • 1952controversy over the condition of the School of Arts following the resignation of A. G. Nelmes from committee after thirty five years. • 1958the Local Management Committee appointed by the National Trust. Restoration commenced. • 1960 to 1968refurbishment 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. • 1982construction 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 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. The Tenterfield School of Arts was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 1 March 2002 having satisfied the following criteria. 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). 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. 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. 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. == See also ==