The Old School Arts Centre will celebrate the 130 year anniversary of the Old School building this month, with a very special day and evening of birthday festivities planned for Saturday 26 October. Since its construction in 1883, the building has played an important role in local community life. Here’s a brief journey through the archives. . .
The school years. . . After moving from a tent to various temporary buildings, Raglan’s school moved into its first permanent home in 1883. Builder Jim Pearce was employed to build a one-room school building at Stewart St. Mr Allright, architect to the Board of Education, did his final inspection of the Raglan School building on 8th October 1883. That building was the current central room and part of the entrance foyer. Over the following years, the building was enlarged several times to fit the growing school roll. The Old School has always been a community building and magic lantern shows were a common evening attraction in the late 19th century along with soirees.
County years. . . 1962 saw the last pupils pass through the doors of the Old School and the following year the building and land were acquired by Waikato District Council’s predecessor, the Raglan County Council. For several years the Old School was used for shearing and beauty competitions, and in 1975 it became an office and smoko room for the council depot.
Survival years… In 1978, the building was considered a possible home for the Raglan Museum, but renovation work was deemed too costly. Raglan County Council took steps to demolish the building, but a campaign led by Glen Young and Eva Rickard saw the Old School achieve legal protection under the Historic Places Act. Eva occupied the building and Glen’s husband Ron Young took care of successful legal action against the County. In the end the County’s view came around and they supported keeping the building. In 1984 upgrading for use as an Arts Centre was discussed with the Raglan County Council and workers begin tidying up the building and site. Raglan’s first Kohanga Reo started here in 1985 with eight children.
Thriving Years… In 1988, formal management of the building was passed to the Whaingaroa Arts & Works Centre, a combined group led by Eva Rickard and the Raglan Community Arts Council. At this time the building was described as ‘derelict’. Since 1988 many volunteers have helped restore the building and arts activities have flourished. In 1991 Susan Flight held the first Raglan Summer School of Art in the building. It wasn’t until 1992 that an internal toilet and kitchen was installed.
In 1994, the Raglan Community Arts Council took over running the entire building and the centre was relaunched as the Old School Arts Centre in 2005. Extensive renovation work has been carried out in recent years and in April 2008 the building was registered as a Historic Place-category II by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Now a vibrant part of the Whaingaroa community, the New Zealand edition of the Lonely Planet tourist guide describes the Old School Arts Centre as, “a community hub”.
*** Happy Birthday Old School ***
Matchbox Exhibition… The 130th birthday anniversary celebrations on the 26th will start with the opening of the MatchBox exhibition at 10am. All artwork fits inside a matchbox and will be 50% ceramic. The exhibition will be open daily until 31st October, open from 10am to 2pm.
600 Clay Tile Mural …. Incorporated in the Old School’s birthday festivities will be the unveiling of the Clay Tile Mural, a kiln fundraising event organised by the team at the Raglan Community Clay Shed. Since February 2012, around 600 tiles have been painted or carved by locals and visitors to Raglan. The mural will be revealed in all its glory over the Labour Weekend. Unveiling at 7pm on 26th.
Birthday Party… Come along and celebrate the 130th Anniversary Birthday celebrations from 7.30pm to 10pm.
Live music, bring a plate, cash bar and optional period themed dress is definitely encouraged.
All Welcome. Come along and share your memories of the Old School.
Celebrate 130 years of the Old School with the Raglan Old School Arts Centre, Stewart St, Raglan.
Thanks for an informative article, but why 150, not 130 years since 1883?
Just as well we have you on the team John to keep a check on things. You can see now why I didn’t stand for the community board. Right on, we will have a 130th birthday instead. Still a good excuse for a party!
People who are so busy are allowed an occasional mistake. You’ve still made far fewer than WDC and much less serious. 2016 will be the 150th anniversary of Mrs Corbett’s first school.
Let’s make sure the Area School has something planned for 2016