Acquisition of the Historic Building

Frank and Marilyn Leach of Warren donated the Mechanics Institute building (1876) to Warren Performing Arts and Language Place Inc (Warraan Widji Arts) in October 2021. The date coincided with the 200th anniversary of the first Mechanics Institute established in Glasgow in October 1821. The legal transfer of the building was made in March 2022.

In December 2022 Warraan Widji Arts was the successful recipient of $250 000 under the NSW State Government’s Creative Capital second round of minor works and equipment projects.

Warraan Widji Arts used the funds to restore and refurbish the Mechanics Institute building in Warren’s main street.

Our grant application described the project as follows within a word limit of 50 words -

The restoration and refurbishment of the Mechanics Institute building, Warren, led by Aboriginal youth and community. The space provides inspiration and functionality. Warraan Widji Arts (River Place Arts) is reflective of Wayilwan Country, where rivers revive and inform storytelling, empowered by Wayilwan Language revival and the performing and creative arts.

History of the Building

Built in 1876 and established in 1886, there is no doubt that this building is of significance historically (Dimarzio-Bryan, 2022, August 6, pp1-3).

Below is an excerpt from the Warren Shire Community Based Heritage study 2008-2010 (Christison, 2010, p.48 as cited in Dimarzio-Bryan, 2022, August 6) regarding the building:

A Mechanics Institute was erected in 1876 and donated by businessman John Colley. With the addition of a reading room and library in 1887 the Institute became one of the principal public meeting places in Warren. The building served as a hub of public life until it was replaced by a modern library in 1968. For a time, the building also housed the main electricity generating plant for the town of Warren. The building has local historical association, aesthetic and social significance, representativeness and a moderate degree of integrity.

It was popular to build commercial buildings from the Victorian Architectural style during this time in Australia. While this building façade is very simple in appearance, it does contain the arched parapet seen in many Victorian Romanesque style buildings.

Situated on the main street, it had survived the devastating fire in 1899 that swept through the town destroying a number of facades of neighbouring buildings. While it is not a heritage listed building or a listed building of significance, it certainly contributes to the character and historical story of Warren. As noted in the Warren Shire Community-Based Heritage Study 2008-2010, this zone of the town centre is a proposed conservation zone with the purpose of “establishing a mechanism to retain the heritage character of Warren commercial districts.” (Christison, 2010, p.55). The buildings along the main street are a mix of single and double storey with a variety of building styles and facades.

 References

Christison, R. (2010). Warren Shire Community Based Heritage study 2008-2010. Warren: Warren Shire Council.

Dimarzio-Bryan, B. (2022, August 6). Warraan Widji Arts Architectural Report. Warren: B Creative Architecture and Photography

The Mechanics Institute building has striking features including…

  • A brick bond pattern (the oldest form of brick bonding, very popular in England in the late 17th century)

  •  The façade: its style has an important place amongst the historical buildings in the main street to contribute to the community's desire to tastefully and appropriately restore, upgrade and beautify the buildings of Warren. The project will establish a notably impressive façade

  • An interior which inherently articulates a unique industrial-chic look

  •  Space which facilitates the display of local Wayilwan art

  •  Attractive physical features which inform an exciting and inviting high end performing, creative and language arts space

  Additional funding is required to:

  • demolish safely the rear shed space to begin Stage 2 of the project - a tiered theatre

  •  install reverse cycle air conditioning

  • install a ceiling mounted projector

If you would like to contribute financially to the continued restoration and refurbishment of the historic Mechanics Institute building in Warren, NSW please click on the button below.