Hawkesbury People & Places
Bilpin Mechanics Institute
Hall
Over the past 110 years there have been three community halls servicing the Bilpin district. Land was set aside for the building of the first community hall known as a Mechanics Institute or School of Arts in Bilpin in May 1909. The block was located on the south-eastern boundary of the Travelling Stock Reserve which was notified on 15 August 1883. The hall constructed with local timber with an iron roof was opened in October 1909. Funds were collected around the district and the plans were prepared by Mr A. Slingsby. The hall included a library and reading room. The Windsor and Richmond Gazette described the occasion in great detail reporting that apart from the opening ceremony by member of NSW parliament Brinsley Hall, the day also included sports events, concert, dancing and refreshments. This hall was replaced by the second community hall known as the Memorial Hall in 1948.
Later maps show the site reserved for the public school in 1929 next door to the Mechanics Institute site. At this time the route of Bells Line of Road was on the south side of the blocks of land, this road is now nkown as Bilpin School Road. The Mechanics Institute site became part of the school grounds in the 1960s.
The 2 acre site for a Mechanics Institute (also known as the School of Arts) was notified on 19 May 1909.
Location of land marked with an X which was set aside for the Bilpin Mechanics Institute in 1909 from the Parish of Bilpin County of Cook map (3rd Edition, 1908)
The Bilpin District Hall which was built further west along Bells Line of Road opened in 1967 and is currently the local venue for functions, meeting and regular market days. The annual Bilpin Flower Show https://www.facebook.com/BilpinFlowerShowandSpringFair/ and the weekly Bilpin Markets https://www.harvesttrailsandmarkets.com.au/markets/bilpin-markets/. For all bookings - https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/services/places-and-facilities/community-facilities-for-hire/halls/halls/bilpin-district-hall
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