LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL
13 McLennan Street GLENTHOMPSON, Southern Grampians Shire
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
The Glenthompson Library and War Memorial Hall located in McLennan Street in the centre of the township is a prominent local landmark. The architect was W J Muntz and the builder was G C Rowe. The surviving parts of the original building are brick, designed in an austere Classical style. Over the years several alterations and additions have been made. In 1955 it was completely remodelled as a War Memorial Hall and Library, incorporating much of the original building's carcase with a new Moderne facade designed by Taggeter Walter, an architect from the Warrnambool firm of Walter and Auty, with local connections.
How is it significant?
The Glenthompson Library and War Memorial Hall is of historical, architectural and social significance to the Southern Grampians Shire and to the township of Glenthompson.
Why is it significant?
The Library and Memorial Hall is of historical significance as a prominent and well-used public building in a street that previously was an important commercial thoroughfare on the road from Warrnambool to Ararat, and thus is a reminder of an earlier, more prosperous era of the town's history. The hall has additional historical significance for its association with John McLennan, civic father of Glenthompson, prominent merchant, and one of the earliest settlers in the area.
The Library and War Memorial Hall is of architectural significance as a distinctive landmark, and an important element in the streetscape of McLennan Street. The substantial 1902 Classical brick building survives reasonably intact, while the 1955 Moderne facade is well designed, well executed and demonstrates interesting uses of form and texture.
The Library and War Memorial Hall is of social significance to Glenthompson because, in the early 20th century it reflected the town's status and was associated with the self-improvement of its citizens through reading, lectures and concerts. Socially, the hall provided a focus for community activities such as dances and film nights. These roles continue and the hall is still used for a range of activities.
-
-
LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL - Physical Conditions
The building is in excellent condition.
LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL - Physical Description 1
The Library and War Memorial Hall is located in McLennan Street, in the centre of Glenthompson, about 300 metres south of the Glenelg Highway. Its size, position, and distinctive facade make it the most dominant building in the street, and a prominent local landmark. A photograph in the possession of the Glenthompson History Centre shows that the building was originally a single hall, notionally of six bays, with three windows and three doors on the north elevation. It had a gabled roof covered with corrugated iron hidden by a parapet wall. A stage section was built across the rear, under a transverse gable roof, and later a porch was added to the facade.
Major alterations to the hall occurred in 1955 when a new Moderne facade was added. Designed by Warrnambool architect Taggeter Walter, the facade is a good example of the Moderne style, with a composition which includes the massing of rectangular forms, and the use of different materials to create textural and visual effects. The alterations included a glazed lobby, offices and stairs behind a panel of freestone and, above the lobby, facilities for film projection. Above the new facade there is an attic in the form of a floating clerestory. Behind the facade, the 1902 building and its later additions survive reasonably intact. New service areas have been added on the southern side.LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL - Historical Australian Themes
3. Developing local, regional and national economies
3.21 Entertaining for profit
6. Educating
6.1 Forming associations, libraries, and institutes for self-education
8. Developing Australia's cultural life
8.5 Forming associations
8.5.3 Associating for mutual aid
8.5.4 Pursuing common leisure interests
8.8 Remembering the fallen
8.14 Living in the country and rural settlementsLIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL - Usage/Former Usage
Library
Meeting Place
Lecture Hall (former)
Recreation
Adult Education (former)
Cinema (former)LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL - Integrity
A fair degree of integrity to its early twentieth century condition, and a high degree of integrity to its early 1960s condition.
LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL HALL - Physical Description 2
John McLennan, early benefactor
William Jamieson Muntz, first architect
G C Rowe, first contractor
Taggeter Walter, 1950s architect and member of a local family
Messrs. Bos, Binggen and Bakker, 1950s buildersHeritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
-
-
-
-
-
WAR MEMORIALSouthern Grampians Shire
-
STATE SCHOOL NO. 947Southern Grampians Shire
-
GLENTHOMPSON BRICKWORKSSouthern Grampians Shire
-
"1890"Yarra City
-
"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
-
"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
-
'Mororo' 13 Oxford Street, MalvernStonnington City
-
1 Arnold StreetYarra City
-
1 Austin StreetYarra City
-
-