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Mount Barker Institute opened in 1875, Adelaide Hills South Australia by Contemplari

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The Mount Barker Institute is a Local Heritage Place in the town. It served as Council Office until 1939.

The building is now known as the Town Hall.

*Opening of the Mount Barker Institute

Friday last was one of Mount Barker's bright red-letter days, when the new and handsome building just completed for Institute purposes was formally opened.

On the 11th December last, the foundation stone of the present commodious building was laid with Masonic honours under most auspicious circumstances.

The Hon J Dunn MLC, had headed a liberal subscription-list with £100, the Government had supplemented the subscriptions to the extent of £800, and the designs of a most elegant and useful structure had been submitted by the Hon Thomas English, MLC, accepted by the Building Committee, and contracted for by Messrs Trenouth & Dick, builders, of Strathalbyn, and most creditably has the whole been completed. The contract price of the building was £1,505, but furniture, fittings (provided by Mr A Hendry, of Mount Barker) piano &c, have increased the total cost to about £1,831.

Towards this £424 18s. has been subscribed, £216 11s. 9d. raised by a bazaar held in March last, outstanding subscriptions £60, grant from the Government £800, leaving a deficiency before the opening of about £330.

The building is in the Italian style, and the stone used is a beautiful freestone from a quarry on the Hon J Dunn's property — the same as is used for the Bank, Congregational Baptist Church, and other buildings.

The ground-floor to front building contains entrance-hall 10 feet wide, library, 17ft x 16ft, waiting-room, 16ft x by 12ft, all 13 feet high. There is also a side entrance hall and staircase 9 feet wide. The first floor contains a large room, 26ft 6in x 16ft, and 14ft high, capable of seating 100 persons, and now used by Lodges, &c: also a classroom 17ft 6in x 11ft 6in, and entrance to future gallery in public hall. The public hall is 50ft x32ft, 21ft 6in high, lit by three circular-headed windows on both sides, finished with ornamental dressings in plaster.

Provision is made for future extension at the rear of large hall, to consist of proscenium and retiring-rooms, also for a gallery at the front end. For illumination at night, the hall has three chandeliers, each carrying four lamps with 1½ inch burners. The hall at present will accommodate about 350 persons.

At noon on Friday last the ceremony of formally opening the Institute took place.

A procession was formed of the Committee, Concordia Band, and others, who escorted the Hon J Dunn from his residence to the building.

The Hon T English handed the key to Mr Dunn, requesting him to open the Institute, and remarking that Mr Dunn had always been associated with every good cause in the town, and was ready and willing at all times to lend a helping hand by money and otherwise.

The Hon J Dunn then opened the front doors, amid the cheers of the spectators and the large hall was soon occupied by a numerous audience.

He congratulated them on the successful completion of the Mount Barker Institute. (Cheers.)

The Hon T English remarked that the men of Mount Barker had done a great deal, but where would they have been without the ladies?

The gathering broke up, most of those present adjourning to the grounds of the Hon J Dunn (kindly lent for the occasion) where the picnic was held.

The Concordia Band dispensed some choice music and refreshment stalls were erected.

The tea meeting took place in the Institute Hall, when it is calculated about 700 persons took tea. The spread was everything that could be desired, and the arrangements (thanks to the ladies again) perfect.

The entertainment followed in the same room, when the chair was taken at about half-past 7 by J G Ramsay Esq JP. He then stated that W Townsend Esq MP, was expected every moment to deliveries lecture, but having been unavoidably detained in town, he would call for some music to commence with.

Mr and Mrs Paltridge then commenced a set of quadrilles for cornet and piano, but when the first figure had been played, the piano, which was raised at one end to make it level on the sloping platform, slipped off the block, and two kerosine lamps fell to the ground, one of which broke, and the floor was immediately in a blaze. Several ladies sitting near had a narrow escape, the lighted kerosine splashing their dresses, but fortunately the day having been cold and dreary, dark warm stuffs were worn, and no harm was done. Several gentlemen quickly beat out the flames with shawls, coats, and whatever else they could lay hold of, and in about a moment all was safe again.

Mr Townsend having arrived, then came forward and offered his congratulations on the erection of so beautiful a building, and expressed his regret than an accident should have so upset the audience, but was pleased no bad results had followed.

He then delivered the first part of his celebrated lecture, 'Lights and Shades of London Life’, in his usual masterly manner.

In the interval between the first and second part of the lecture some more excellent music was introduced. [Ref: Southern Argus 16-9-1875]

*Mount Barker Institute Extension

Mount Barker is peculiarly happy in the possession of one of the prettiest and most commodious institutes in the colony. The additions recently made have largely added to the attractions of the building, and the stage facilities are now unequalled out of Adelaide.

The committee having received Mr R Barr-Smith's generous gift of £500 placed it to advantage by extending the hall and the stage greater depth, and at the same time redecorated the hall, both outside and in, with excellent effect. The stage is now 30 ft in depth, and is provided with a complete suite of dressing-rooms, a piece of land belonging to the Presbyterian Church having been purchased at the back of the institute. The dressing-rooms are fitted with every convenience, and the stage accommodation is very complete.

The lighting of the hall is excellent, gasoline lamps having been superseded by electric banner lamps, which give all the light required and add greatly to the attractions of the hall.

The reopening of the institute took place on Wednesday evening, when a musical and dramatic entertainment attracted an overflowing audience. [Ref: Advertiser 25-11-1895]

*MOUNT BARKER INSTITUTE

The formal opening of the "Founders' Room" at the Mount Barker Institute is to take place on Thursday evening of next week, when it is anticipated that the president (Mr B Barker) will perform the ceremony at 7.30 pm. Members of the Institute and library are invited to attend. After the room has been declared open the unveiling of the enlarged portraits of the founders will take place in the new room.

In the main hall, the general public are to be entertained at an illustrated lecture by the Rev A C Hill BA, the subject being "Windsor Castle." The lecturer has a collection of 100 magnificent coloured lantern slides with which to illustrate his talk. Mrs A C Hill will present musical items between times. No charge is made for admission. [Ref: Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser 17-3-1933]

Mount Barker Institute side view revealing different construction sections, Adelaide Hills South Australia by Contemplari

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