Weld Hall Theatre

Author

City of Busselton

Place Number

00404

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Location

13 Queen St Busselton

Location Details

Cnr Adelaide St

Other Name(s)

Weld Institute; Weld Mechanics' Institute
Weld Repertory Theatre

Local Government

Busselton

Region

South West

Construction Date

Constructed from 1874 to 2005

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
State Register	Registered	14 Dec 2001	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Register of the National Estate	Identified Through State Process				Heritage Council
Classified by the National Trust	Recorded	02 Feb 1976			Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	20 Jun 1996	Category 1	Category 1 These places are the most important places in the Shire with the highest cultural heritage values, and generally have built features that are part of their significance. Some of these places have been assessed by the Heritage Council of WA and have been included in the State Register. These places are afforded statutory protection under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.

Statement of Significance

Weld Hall, a single storey brick building with a galvanized iron roof in the Victorian Italianate style, has cultural heritage significance as the place associated with various community organizations including the Mechanics’’ Institute, Returned Services League, and Working Men’s Association, reflecting its important public eduction role of such an organization in Busselton. Also the place is one of the oldest remaining structures in Busselton and is an important reminder of the role of the Mechanics’ Institute in promoting education and cultural development in the community prior to formal library and education facilities being created. The place still retains a social role and contributes to the community’s sense of place. It has a striking visual form and plays an important role in the Queen Street streetscape at the corner of Queen and Adelaide streets.

Physical Description

A single storey masonry and iron Victorian Italianate style hall.
Weld Hall is a brick and stucco, iron roofed Victorian Italianate hall. It is symmetrically disposed and has a long central wing with a simple porch, and this section is flanked by two gabled bays with arched head windows.

History

The Weld Hall was built during the course of 1874-1881 and progressively developed and adapted thereafter. It was named after Governor Frederick Weld. It was built as a Mechanic’s Institute and provided support and education prior to institutions such as public libraries being formalised. Once formed, the municipality began to take over these formalised services. The place later serve as a town hall, a meeting place for the Returned Services League and still later from 1960 as a Repertory Club.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate Degree/Moderate Degree
Integrity Notes: The original intent has basically been retained so that the place has a moderate degree of integrity.
Authenticity Notes: The place has been considerably altered, but retains a good deal of original fabric. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity.

Condition

Fair

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
4365	Weld Hall, Busselton : an assessment of the cultural significance and a conservation plan.	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	1999
9449	Weld Hall cnr Queen and Adelaide Streets, Busselton.	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	2009

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other Community Hall\Centre
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other Community Hall\Centre

Architectural Styles

Style
Victorian Italianate

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	BRICK	Other Brick
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General	Specific
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Institutions
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Education & science
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES	Sport, recreation & entertainment
OCCUPATIONS	Intellectual activities, arts&craft

Creation Date

22 Jul 1988

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

31 Dec 2016

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.