Darlinghurst Gaol and East Sydney Technical College, ca. 1920-1959

PXE 1468

fonds

ca. 1920-1959

Graphic Materials, Photographs

910788

58 photographs - black & white - 25.3 x 20.2 cm

Construction on the wall of Darlinghurst Gaol began in 1822, with some of the cellblocks completed in 1840. The first prisoners occupied the gaol in 1841. Darlinghurst Gaol was completed in 1885.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Darlinghurst Gaol became increasingly overcrowded, with continuous problems with drainage, security and disease. Plans were made for new gaols in the Sydney area, including the State Penitentiary for Men Long Bay which was opened in 1914.

The old Darlinghurst Gaol was used as an internment camp during World War I.

The site was transferred in 1921 to the New South Wales Department of Education, who adapted the building for use as the East Sydney Technical College. In 1921 the National Art School also took up residence in the old gaol buildings and offered diplomas in painting, sculpture, ceramics, design and commercial art. By the early 1960s the National Art School has nearly 500 full-time and 1,000 part-time students and 93 staff. In 1996 the National Art School became the sole occupant of the complex of buildings.

In the 1950s there was a push to convert part of the Darlinghurst Gaol building to a theatre. This cause gained significant momentum in 1955 when Katharine Hepburn and Robert Helpmann agreed to visit the Cell Block to announce the project. Since the 1980s the Cell Block Theatre has served as a venue for the Art School's formal gatherings and as exhibition space for student works.

Reference:
Library correspondence file
Dictionary of Sydney, http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/darlinghurst_gaol (accessed 20 March 2013)

Photographic copy prints from a variety of sources and ranging from the last days of Darlinghurst Gaol to the 1950s when the Cell Block Theatre was built. Collection includes aerial photographs of the Darlinghurst Gaol site, photographs of site and building plans and photographs from the visit of Katharine Hepburn and Robert Helpmann in 1955.

Out of copyright: Created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Research & study copies allowed

Original photographs held by the NSW Department of Public Works

Pic.Acc. Upgrade Project - Information transferred from Pic.Acc.4768 as part of the eRecords Project 2012-13