One used to be the Hamilton Fire Station in James Street,
and the other the Mechanics’ Institute, on the corner of Tudor and Milton
Streets. Each has a fascinating history.
It was May 1882 when the need for a local Fire Brigade was
first discussed at a Hamilton Council meeting. Already some terrible fires had
occurred. While the first brigade was established the following year, it was
not until a decade later, in 1892, that it acquired a home – a tiny wooden
structure (including a fire tower) that can just be seen in the photo below, next to the Municipal Chambers in James Street. Neither of these buildings have survived.
Hamilton Council Chambers, Hamilton NSW December 1892
Ralph Snowball photograph from the Norm Barney collection, courtesy
Cultural Collections, University of Newcastle, Australia
That Fire Station proved inadequate, and in 1901, a new, single story fire station was purpose built for the cost of 300 pounds, also in James Street. A grand community opening was held. In 1906, a second story and belfry was added for a further two hundred and twenty two pounds. Yet another opening was held - Hamiltonians must have loved an excuse to celebrate!
Fire Station James Street Hamilton 23 October 1906
Ralph Snowball photograph from the Norm Barney collection,
Ralph Snowball photograph from the Norm Barney collection,
courtesy Cultural Collections, University of Newcastle, Australia
By the mid 1920s, the station had ceased to be used, and was converted to flats. The building was extensively damaged in the 1989 earthquake. Peter Murray describes what happened next:
'Saved from
demolition, it was bought by Merve and Robert Lindsay, who restored and
converted the building into an office and an apartment....Fortuitously a
descendant of Sam Donn supplied a photograph to assist in the construction'.[2]
The former Hamilton Volunteer Fire Station, 2013
This graciously proportioned building, seen above as it is today, bears
the name Hamilton Flats, replacing the words Hamilton Volunteer Fire Station. Above
the front door is a sculpture of a man’s head, thought by a local resident to
have been King George V. In the event, it was found to be a likeness of Sam Donn, who had been Mayor of Hamilton
in 1901.
The restored sculpture of Sam Donn, above the entrance to the building
that was former Hamilton Volunteer Fire Station, 2013
that was former Hamilton Volunteer Fire Station, 2013
The sculpture was painstakingly restored by Mervyn's father, Mr Victor Lindsay. Mervyn Lindsay explained in an email to me how Victor spent many, many months trying to fix the sculpture, and work out its identity. At the last moment, photos were received of Sam Donn from Sam's granddaughter. Mervyn writes:
'The fragments recovered after the earthquake refused to fit any attempts to replicate George V, but of course worked perfectly for Sam.'
We often walk past this building, admire its simple lines
and appreciate what the Lindsays have done to ensure it endures.
The second building I want to tell you about is The
Mechanics’ Institute in Hamilton. The wooden precursor to the current brick
structure was built in 1862 – thirty years before the first Fire Brigade
building was built.
The cultural history of the Mechanics’ Institute is every
bit as interesting as the history of its building. I’ll touch very briefly on
it here.
In the early nineteenth
century, a time when education was the privilege of the elite few, Mechanics’
Institutes were set up in Britain and later, Australia. Their aim was to provide
working men with access to technical education – through talks, courses, lectures
and books accessible in a reading room. Since books and library subscriptions were
beyond the financial means of workers, the Institutes filled this gap,
expanding from technical subjects to the humanities, especially literature. Even debating
was encouraged.
Eventually, in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, initiatives such as TAFE, free community libraries, adult education and compulsory
public education for children made the role of the Institutes far less
relevant.
Walking past the former Mechanics' Institute building in its unloved state, I feel so sad
that this impressive building has lost its purpose
Anzac House, formerly The Mechanics' Institute, Tudor Street,
Hamilton, 2014
Photograph by Matthew Ward
Photograph by Matthew Ward
The story of the Mechanics’ Institute building in Hamilton explains something of how the organisation navigated these changes in society.
The first modest weatherboard building experienced a
troubled twenty plus years, financially and in terms of its role, from 1862
until 1888. Then, as a result of strong advocacy from some community leaders, a
fine new building was commissioned on the same site. It was opened by the NSW
Premier, Sir Henry Parkes in August, 1888.
Designed by Newcastle
architect Mr F B Menkens, the Mechanics’ Institute was described as “the
handsomest building of its kind in the district”. [3]
Upstairs was a reading room with daily newspapers, a library, a meeting room,
and a billiards room. Downstairs was a large hall to seat 400 people, with a
stage. It must have been a marvellous resource for the growing community.
Three years later, in 1891, an extension to the building was
completed, making it symmetrical in accord with the architectural plans. As with many buildings from the 1800s, the graceful cast iron lace verandahs have not survived.
Mechanics Institute Tudor and Milton Streets Hamilton February 1892
Ralph Snowball photograph from the Norm Barney collection,
courtesy Cultural Collections, University of Newcastle, Australia
By the early 1920s, membership of the Institute was a healthy 800, and its educational role was changing to a recreational one as it became more like a community club. Income was raised through dances, musicals, motion pictures, hire of billiard tables --- until the growth of a range of other social clubs usurped this role, too. Once more, the Institute faced big challenges.
In the 1940s the Hamilton RSL Sub Branch purchased the premises, which became
Anzac House, next to the RSL Club. It was intended to be used for the future expansion of the Club, which never happened, although it was rented out as a function centre at one stage.
Yet another organisation has had to cope with the changing times, and came off second best.
Yet another organisation has had to cope with the changing times, and came off second best.
Effigy above a doorway today, in a deteriorated state, 2013
For a time, though, The Mechanics' Institute had served as a focus for many of Hamilton’s most important educational, social and political activities.
So what is the difference between the former Fire Brigade
building, and the former Mechanic’s Institute? Why has one been able to be
successfully reinvented, while the other languishes? Both are fine buildings,
excellent examples of the architecture of their times.
I’ve begun a list of what I think a building must
have to endure -
1. A solid structure, with durability – while brick is better than weatherboard, brick buildings can disintegrate, and both can survive.
2. Aesthetic appeal which transcends the passage of time.
3. Location that is still relevant to its purpose.
4. Able to be adapted to a new purpose, if its former purpose is superseded.
5. Someone to love it (with money).
The Mechanics' Institute has stumbled on Point 4, and
crashed on Point 5. The Fire Station/Hamilton Flats ticks all points – most
importantly, it has someone to love it.
UPDATE ON ANZAC HOUSE/MECHANICS INSTITUTE
In 2015 it was reported in the Newcastle Herald that the Hamilton RSL and former Anzac House/Mechanics Institute buildings were to be redeveloped by DJB Developments. Mencken Award winning architect Kevin Snell was engaged and has incorporated the heritage building into Atrium, a landmark residential apartment building. It was completed in January, 2018.
Related post
Who’s head is it really?
Unattributed photographs by Ruth Cotton.
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