Thebarton Municipal Offices on South Road, planned as part of a complex at the time the second Thebarton Town Hall – now Thebarton Theatre / Thebbie Theatre – was built 1927–1928.
*The foundation stone of the Thebarton Institute survives and remains at the side of the Thebarton Municipal Offices building.
A NEW INSTITUTE a history of Thebarton Institute
For some time past the Thebarton institute committee have been at work maturing a scheme for the erection of a permanent home for the institute, with the result that the work has so far progressed that the foundation stone of the new building was laid on Saturday afternoon by Mr C B Ware. A block of land has been secured at the corner of the Henley Beach Road and Taylor's Road. There was a large number of local residents present to witness the ceremony, and music was contributed by the West Suburban Band, under the direction of Mr W Gooley.
Mr C E Kerr, the secretary of the committee, in introducing Mr Ware, reviewed the movement for the building of the institute. He mentioned that a library was established in August 1899. The committee had had the use of two rooms at the State school for the work, but the membership had increased until the rooms no longer furnished sufficient accommodation. In January1900, they had 48 members and 490 volumes, but by the following January the membership had increased to 60, and the number of books to 661.
Ladies had worked up an Empire fair, which yielded a profit sufficient to pay for the block of land, and the Government had agreed to the committee obtaining a loan of £500 for the purposes of the building. It would be seen that they had decided to have business premises at the front, and it was hoped that by this means the institute would be self-supporting.
It was not proposed to carry out the entire scheme at present, as the financial position would not permit of that, but provision would be made for the immediate requirements of the institute, which, when complete, would provide accommodation for the amusement, recreation, and instruction of the people of the district.
The building, which has been designed by Mr H J Cowell, will be of ornate appearance. It will have a frontage of 50 ft to the Henley Beach Road. In addition to the main entrance, there are to be two shops 18 ft by 17 ft each. The main entrance is to be 9 ft 6 in wide, and it will lead to the library and reading room, the former, of which will be 28 ft by 21 ft, and the latter 18 ft by 16 ft. This, together with offices, will form the first portion of the building, the front elevation of which will be about 20 ft high. The work is to be carried out in freestone, with cement dressings, and apart from the land it will cost about £600. When completed there will be a public hall 85 ft by 40 ft, with stage and retiring rooms. The entire cost is estimated at about £2,000. The work is being carried out under the Supervision of the architect (Mr H J Cowell), Mr G B Truman being the contractor.
Mr C B Ware (president of the committee), said it had been a great pleasure to him to do anything he could to advance the interests of the movement, and he felt honoured in having been asked to perform the important ceremony of laying the foundation stone. He hoped the people of the district would support the committee, so that in a few years the entire scheme might be carried to completion. He referred to the benefits to be derived from having an institute with a good library and reading room.
He laid the stone, which was inscribed:
"This stone was laid by C B Ware Esq, president of the institute, and ex-Mayor of Thebarton 14th January 1905. The institute was founded by C E Kerr Esq,7th August 1899."
[Ref: Advertiser 16-1-1905]
THEBARTON INSTITUTE OPENING CEREMONY
The new institute building at Thebarton presented an animated scene on Wednesday afternoon, when the opening ceremony was performed.
Mr C E Kerr, founder of the institute, asked Mrs C B Ware to open the building. Mrs Ware turned the key and declared the institute open.
The company then assembled in the library. The President Mr C B Ware extended a welcome to the visitors.
He related how after Mr Kerr came to the district as postmaster in 1899 he founded the institute in the council chamber. He thanked the ladies for their energetic work. To celebrate the opening a fair was held, located in the library and a spacious marquee erected at the rear of the building. [Ref: Register 18-5-1905]
*A social to commemorate the opening of the Thebarton Institute was held on Tuesday evening. Mr C B Ware opened the chair, and presided over a large attendance.
The Chairman said he was glad to see so many people gathered together. Admission was by cup and saucer, and nine dozen of each had been presented. [Ref: Register 16-5-1906]
