Victoria Hall

On the grounds of the building

Commemoration

Provincial

One of the finest public buildings in Canada, this imposing structure was built as an expression of the civic pride and confidence in the future. It was begun in 1856 and opened by the Prince of Wales four years later. Designed by the renowned architect Kivas Tully, Victoria Hall is classical in form and is distinguished by elaborately carved ornamentation, an elegant pediment supported by four Corithian columns and a massive, column-ringed cupola. The building’s interior with its traditional, pit-style courtroom and richly decorated concert hall is as magnificent as the exterior. Briefly closed after serving as a town hall and court house for almost 100 years, Victoria Hall was officially re-opened for public use in 1983 following an extensive restoration program.

National

This building, designed by the architect Kivas Tully in a Victorian version of the Palladian style, is representative of the finer public buildings of mid-19th-century Canada. One of the most impressive town halls in Ontario, it reflects the economic optimism of the 1850s. It was constructed by the local firm of William and David Burnet at a cost of $110,000. The cornerstone was laid by Sir Allan MacNab on December 30, 1856, and the building was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on September 7, 1860.

Background

In 1971, lack of maintenance resulted in the building being declared unsafe. Local citizens rallied to have it saved. It was opened again in 1983.

The building contains a concert hall and courtroom as well as offices. The courtroom is modelled on the design of the Old Bailey in London, England. It also contains the Art Gallery of Northumberland.

Sir Allan MacNab, later First Baronet MacNab, was one of the two premiers for the colony of Canada from 1854 to 1856. The idea of two concurrent premiers was meant to address the needs of the two Canadas, Upper and Lower, when they were merged into a single political entity. His co-premier was Sir John A. Macdonald. MacNab, as an Upper Canada politician was a political foe of William Lyon Mackenzie, who eventually rebelled in 1837. He lived in Dundurn Castle in Hamilton and died there in 1862.

The Prince of Wales mentioned went on to become King Edward VII, succeeding his mother, Queen Victoria.