Wood and wonder: neoclassicism in colonial Beechworth
How were Beechworth's colonial architects and builders influenced by the Adam brothers' sophisticated Neoclassical style? In 1859 and 1860, Scottish builders raised Beechworth's town hall in coursed granite and created its superb neoclassical interior entirely from wood. Discover why it's unique.
Hear from independent heritage adviser Deborah Kemp and Beechworth History + Heritage chair Jamie Kronborg about the making of an extraordinary administrative building on the Ovens goldfield. You’ll learn about its exacting Neoclassical design, how the wooden interior and its fine embellishments were likely created, and the tantalising possibility that its architect-builder brothers drew inspiration from their own knowledge of Robert and James Adam’s work. You’ll also hear live music played on the mid-nineteenth century English-built chamber organ, first installed in the hall in 1886 and reinstalled in 2018, and share afternoon tea.