Hamilton State School No 295
42 Gray Street HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
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Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: The first and still most important state school in Hamilton. The use of Gothic for schools was conventional because of its associations with mediaeval learning and monasticism.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Hamilton State Primary School No 295
42 Gray Street
This building has regional significance for its architectural interest as an example of the use of the Gothic style in school buildings and for the overall form of the structure with its pyramidal roof over the end pavilions, and for its historical importance as the first and still most important State School in Hamilton. The use of Gothic for schools was conventional because of its associations with mediaeval learning and monasticism. Also conventional is the bi-partite planning to accommodate boys and girls. Many schools could be compared with this building. In particular, the school's historical significance lies in its associations with the town's early educational history in which, unlike many rural communities, Hamilton's earliest schools were national (state) rather than denominational (church) schools.([i]) Moves for a national school were initiated in 1849 by Acheson French, a free thinker, and the town's first Police Magistrate. The present site was set aside for a national school in the first 1850 Township plan. A timber National School was opened there in June 1852. ([ii]) The present school, State School No. 295 was opened in September 1876, replacing the earlier building on the site. ([iii])
The building has enjoyed many alterations in the way of upgradings not least of which was the conversion of the original windows to larger ones at the end of the century. This was associated with a call for better light and ventilation in classrooms. Otherwise the building is relatively intact and in good condition. With the school yard, it is a major component of the streetscape spanning from Gray Street to the Botanic Gardens.
[i] Garden, Don, Hamilton, p 35-36, 42.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid., pp 87-88 (illustration); Australasian Sketcher, 28 October 1876 (illustration); Hamilton Spectator, 30 November 1876; Vision and Realisation, vol II.
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Hamilton State School No 295 - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof: Decramastic roof tiles
Walls: rendered brick
Dressings: cement render
Plinth: bluestone
Windows: timber dhs
Paving: asphalt
Other: Cyclone wire fence
NOTABLE FEATURES:Overall form of the building with its pyramidal roofs over the end pavilions.Hamilton State School No 295 - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Evolution of the Town: 1850s, 1860s, 1870s.
Education: State & Primary.Hamilton State School No 295 - Integrity
Integrity: F
Hamilton State School No 295 - Physical Conditions
Conditions: G
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - City of Hamilton Conservation Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard with Carlotta Kellaway & Michael Looker (plus Francis Punch)
Year: 1991
Grading: B
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MECHANICS INSTITUTEVictorian Heritage Register H2171
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HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENSVictorian Heritage Register H2185
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HAMILTON GAS HOLDERVictorian Heritage Register H1086
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