Historical information

The Kew City Hall, designed by the architect Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett, was opened by The Premier The Hon HE Bolte on 23rd April 1960. The picture reveals the original interior of the Hall before it was converted into a library in 1986-7. In 1960, the Orchestra relocated to the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road (the site of the current Kew Library). Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. In 1987, the Kew Library (and the Kew Historical Society) moved across the road to the reconfigured Civic Hall.

Physical description

Colourised photograph of interior of Kew Civic Hall, Cotham Road, Kew, taken December 1960. Shows large hall with timber floor, brick acoustic walls with protruding blocks, timber paneling, recessed ceiling lights, crowded dance floor with young couples in 1960 formal dress — full-skirted pastel dresses, suits — microphone on stand in foreground.