Help save The Mechanics Institute / Old Lawson Community Hall
STATEMENT OF HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
From the heritage report
The Lawson School of Arts has considerable local cultural heritage significance for its historical role in the education, entertainment and social life of Lawson village, particularly in the first half of the 20th century, for its social role in the continuing community life of Lawson and as a representative example of a Mechanic's Institute building that demonstrates a way of life prevalent throughout NSW in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The early section of the building including the later porch, also has some local significance for its prominent contribution to the streetscape of the Lawson Village Core.
The building has Cultural Heritage Significance for: Historic Evolution, Historic Associations, Aesthetic and Social values at a Representative level locally.)
Read the full heritage report (Mid Mountains Historical Society)
The Lawson Community Hall on the highway,
also known as the Mechanics Institute, is an
historic reminder of the early days of young adult education in
Australia.
This building was built in 1903 by the community, with bricks from the first Lawson railway station of 1867. These were carried across the highway by locals and more bricks from Mt Victoria station were used inside the building. It has been part of the entrance to Lawson for well over 100 years, and was the first Shire Council rooms. Its contribution to Blue Mountainsâ heritage is acknowledged by the fact that it was a listed item on Councilâ's LEP 4, the RTA's Heritage List, and Council's Heritage Inventory.
This historic building has served many functions for the community, starting as a literary institute with a library and billiard table for the youth of the area. Later it was used for various community events and performances, including roller skating, picture shows, plays and meetings.
More recently it has continued to be available as a public hall and as a home for the Mid Mountains Youth centre.
Although the front facade of the building may have to be removed for highway widening, it is possible to reuse at least 50% of the bricks to rebuild the facade on the remainder of the building, according to the heritage architect for Council's consultant. Currently the Council is in the process of determining a Plan of Management (PoM) for the building and site.
The Youth Centre has moved out of the building until final work on the widening of the highway and its impact on this site is completed.
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