Northam Post Office (fmr)

Author

Shire of Northam

Place Number

01892

Enlarge Map

Show Property Street View

There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.

Location

33 Wellington St Northam

Location Details

Other Name(s)

Avon Valley Arts Centre
Old Post Office

Local Government

Northam

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1872, Constructed from 1896

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Heritage List	Adopted	19 Feb 2020
State Register	Registered	13 Dec 1996	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
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	25 Feb 1998	1.Exceptional significance	1.Exceptional significance Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example. The place should be retained and conserved unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to doing otherwise. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and be in accordance with a Conservation Plan (if one exists for the place).
Classified by the National Trust	Classified	04 Mar 1980			Heritage Council
Register of the National Estate	Permanent	28 Sep 1982			Heritage Council

Statement of Significance

Northam Post Office and residence (former) has aesthetic and architectural significance as an excellent example of a government building constructed in the 1870s - 1890s. It has historical and social significance on account of its central role as a communications centre in the development of Northam, its use as a Drill Hall during WW1, and its ore recent use as an art gallery and cultural centre. It forms part of the historic Wellington Street precinct and contributes to the streetscape and character of Northam.

Physical Description

The Post Office building and residence stands in a prominent position. The facade is ornate with a gabled middle section, with mortared moulding across the entry and the arched window. Embedded pillars and a classical entablature decorate the centre section. Most windows have rendered, painted architraves. The adjoining residence, directly onto the street has a bullnose verandah with timber posts and balustrading.

History

In 1873 Thomas Wilding was subcontracted by George Throssell to build the town's first official permanent post office in the main thoroughfare. Prior to this, postal services were conducted from private residences. When the focus of the town centre changed to Fitzgerald Street, a new Post Office was built in 1909. The clock was moved to the new building. The Dept of Defence took over the place, and it became the training centre for the 28th Infantry Battalion, and the Drill Hall for the Army Reserve. In 1914 a Northam contingent left for the war front as part of the Australian Light Horse Brigade, 10th Regiment. The building continued to be used by the Army, during WWII and later, until 1976. The Avon Valley Arts Society took over the building. Prince Charles planted a tree when he visited the centre in 1979.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree
Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Sound condition and receives maintenance as required. Damage to the building fabric caused by vandalism is a persistent concern. A more comprehensive management program would be beneficial to the long term viability of the place.

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	1998 Municipal Inventory	Town of Northam	1998

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
11358	Cast iron pillar boxes of Western Australia: An early history of the J & E Ledger foundry	Book	2015
6453	The Northam Post and Telegraph Office 1872-1992.	Book	1992
9764	Post Office quarters (fmr) and Girls' and Boys' School (fmr) Northam	Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan}	2011

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	Transport\Communications	Comms: Post or Telegraph Office
Present Use	SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL	Other Community Hall\Centre

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Free Style
Victorian Georgian

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick
Wall	STONE	Local Stone
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General	Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Mail services
OCCUPATIONS	Technology & technological change
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Telecommunications

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

21 Feb 2020

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.