History of the Town Hall
Worsley, Charles Nathaniel, 1862-1923 :[A wet evening; Wellington Town Hall, N.Z, ca 1905]
Reference Number: A-166-001
View from Jervois Quay, in front of the Wellington Town Hall, looking towards the entrance, with people hurrying in, in the rain, for a concert. There is a tram in Wakefield Street on the far left.
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=68309
The Wellington Town Hall, sited between Wakefield St and Civic Square, is a neo-Renaissance style building designed by Joshua Charlesworth. The foundation stone was laid in 1901 and the building was opened on 7th December 1904.
Wellington Town Hall interior, [ca 1910]
Reference Number: PAColl-6407-49
Wellington Town Hall interior, circa 1910. Photographer unidentified.
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=16531
In 1906 the grand organ was assembled and installed. Wellington Town Hall rated amongst the top ten town halls of the world, with the acoustics of its auditorium said to be perfect.
Organ in the Wellington Town Hall, 1906?
Reference Number: 1/2-106873-F
Organ in the Wellington Town Hall, (1906?). Photographer unidentified.
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=30069
In 1922 bells were donated and installed in the 37m clocktower. The clocktower was removed for safety after the Napier Earthquake of 1931, and the grand portico and other architectural details were removed following a 1942 earthquake. While safer, the stripped-back building lost something of its imposing charm.
Wellington Town Hall, Wakefield Street, 1950s
Reference Number: 1/2-035316-G
Wellington Town Hall, Wakefield Street, Wellington, 1950s.
Photographer unidentified.
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=24233
A further imposition in the 1980s was the construction of the Michael Fowler Centre very close to the front of the Town Hall. The Old Town Hall (as it became known) was to be replaced by the MFC but opposition to this plan resulted in the old building being retained and preserved. The acoustical quality of the main auditorium, still considered one of the world’s best, was a major factor in this decision.
Its unreinforced brick construction with moulded concrete detailing and concrete strip foundation, however, was far from being up to modern earthquake specifications so major strengthening was begun in 1990. Renovation of the interior at this time resulted in much formerly covered detailing being brought back to life and view, and the building was reopened in time for the 1994 International Festival of the Arts.
The building, paired with the MFC, now functions as a conference and events centre and houses the office of the Mayor of Wellington, council offices and the WCC debating chamber.
In 1918 the Wellington Town Hall was used as an emergency hospital facility for victims of the Influenza epidemic.
Group, including Nurse Hickey, alongside an ambulance in Wellington, during the influenza epidemic, 1918
Reference Number: 1/2-C-016206-F
Group, including Nurse Hickey on the left, alongside an ambulance during the influenza epidemic. They stand on Mercer Street, Wellington, outside the Town Hall, which was the centre from which the voluntary aid workers operated. Others in group, and photographer, unidentified. Exact date of photograph unknown.
This image is a copy of a photograph published in the New Zealand Free Lance, 5 December, 1918, page 12.
Original Free Lance caption reads: "Ambulance ready for transport"
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=34536
Medicine department at Wellington Town Hall during the 1918 influenza epidemic, 1918
Reference Number: 1/2-C-016207-F
Medicine department at the Wellington Town Hall during the 1918 influenza epidemic. Shows where the standard mixture and tonic were prepared and bottled. Mrs Waters (right) was in charge.
Taken by an unidentified photographer.
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=10545
In 1964 the main auditorium was the venue for performances by The Beatles. The Rolling Stones performed in 1966 and The Who in 1968. The building remains a central part of the Capital’s cultural and political life and of course is the venue of the annual Webstock conference.
Pete Townshend, throwing his guitar in the air while performing a concert with other members of The Who in Wellington, 31 Jan 1968
Reference Number: EP/1968/0473/4-F
Pete Townshend throwing his guitar in the air before smashing it, while performing the song "My Generation", at the climax of a concert with other members of The Who in the Wellington Town Hall, 31 January, 1968.
Photographs taken by an unidentified Evening Post staff photographer.
http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=59432
Wellington Town Hall, June 2010, view from SE corner of Civic Square looking to W.
Photo: James Gilberd
