American River Institute Hall aka American River Community Hall opened 21 September 1928. It now has Local Heritage status.
The American River Hall has served its community well but over the years the building had been neglected and fallen into a state of disrepair.
In a 2007 meeting there was a council resolution that monies raised from the sale of nearby blocks of land was to be used to put towards the renovation of the hall, and recently funds were made available to the American River Progress Association (ARPA) from the sale of one of those blocks of land.
In late 2016 a meeting was convened by ARPA and KI Council and facilitated by Commissioner for KI, Wendy Campana. It was attended by 85 of the 200 residents, who came to decide what to do with their Hall.
83 residents decided to keep it, one didn’t know and one voted to knock it down.
It was decided that ARPA would lease the hall from Council on a Peppercorn Lease of $1 per year, payable in five-year stages, and so the hall has become ARPA’s responsibility.
Now the community is giving back. A whole team of motivated and cheerful volunteers – 13 on a regular basis – are working to ensure the hall remains the heart of this passionate, vibrant community.
Land adjacent to the hall was previously sold for $60,000 with the funds earmarked for the hall’s renovations.
The Save The Hall Action Group says council estimates for renovations of $300 to 400 thousand were grossly exaggerated and the group estimated the hall could be brought up to a usable standard for $86,000 – with more renovations continuing after.
By March 2017 there was a new Colorbond roof, new gutters, fascia and barge boards. $2000 worth of new timber had to go into the roof. Water damage over the years caused the building to ‘spread’, dropping the foundations by about eight cms.
Upon removal of the old water tanks, a concealed ‘den’ was found, under the floor. Someone, possibly a Vietnam War draft dodger, had lived secretly in this tiny, dark hole for many years.
All the foundations had to be underpinned, rats had gnawed through the electricity cables, leading to a complete re-wire. White ants made a home in and under the stage.
John Stevenson said, “The tradies have really looked after us. Thanks to Ingrams, Jaan Kutchel, Galaxy Electrical, Paul Ragless and of course all our tireless volunteers”.
The hall is planned to reopen on June 30, its 90 year anniversary (2018), and will be for hire.
There are plans for a large home movie screen for Sunday afternoon movie screenings. The brand new kitchen will be available for function catering.
* The opening of a hall for public purposes is always an episode in the history of a town or village.
Friday September 21st will be remembered as an historical day as far as American River is concerned, it being the opening day of their handsome hall.
It was a unique occasion in that the Chairmen of the two Kangaroo Island District Councils were present and took an active part in the opening ceremony.
The hall is a well finished handsome building, 40 feet in length and 30 feet wide. The foundation is of limestone, the exterior walls are composed of oiled jarrah for the first three feet up and the remainder comprise of asbestos sheeting. The interior of the hall is lined with stained and varnished Oregon panelling for about 6 feet up, this is capped with an ornamental shelf which gives it a very artistic finish. The top portions of the walls are of fibrous plaster, and the ceiling is of the same material. panelled out with stained lathes. The hall is lighted with petrol gas. There is a fixed seat on three sides of the building and the rest of the seats are fold-up chairs. The floor comprises of 3inch jarrah boards.
By a quarter to 8 pm there was about 200 people gathered in front of the hall which is situated about half a mile north of the American River jetty.
Mr A W Swanson Chairman of the American River Progress Committee introduced Mrs Nils Ryberg and requested her to perform the ceremony of declaring the hall open. Mrs Ryberg then turned the key at the same time saying “I declare this Hall open”. Mrs Ryberg was then presented with a bouquet by little Barbara Wheaton.
The Chairman on behalf of his committee requested Mr Wheaton to move a vote of thanks to Mrs Ryberg for her kindness in coming from Adelaide to perform the ceremony of opening the hall.
Mr B Wheaton stated that it afforded him great pleasure to be present that evening, to have the honour of assisting in the celebration of opening the American River Hall.
In every new district sooner or later the need of a hall is recognised. A hall to be used perhaps as a school, for divine services on Sundays and for social gatherings during the week.
He was not an old Islander but he could remember well the first time that he visited the River. There was a fine crop of hay growing on the land on which the building stood and where today many fine residences are now erected. The only house nearer than the Post Office was Mr J Linnett’s, which was then occupied by the late Mr Ryberg and Mrs Ryberg. He understood that it was about 30 years since the late Mr Ryberg started a Guest Home at American River. At that time the capacity was for a party of six or seven. The tariff included boating etc.
He was pleased to see the progress made. Perhaps towards that progress the late Mr Ryberg did more than anyone else and he felt that he was only voicing the sentiment of every one present, at the delight that they felt in Mrs Ryberg being present to open the Hall. The late Mr Ryberg was the first to offer a block of land for a building and although it was not used on account of the expense of levelling, it was an incentive to go on with the job and we see the result.
In 1922 a regatta committee was formed, and in September 1924 Dr H Carr moved that all money above working expenses should be set aside towards building a hall. Each year a sum of money was put aside for this purpose. Visitors have helped, and the committee thank them and would like special mention made of Mr R H Lloyd and his party.
In January of this year the American River Progress Association had £250 in the bank, they decided to try and borrow £200 which they were successful in doing, this brought the total up to £450. The committee then decided to build the hall on the block of land which was presented by F Buick Esq, of Penneshaw, for this purpose. The building as it stands cost £525 exclusive of the piano, which was presented to the trustees by the ladies of American River.
Mr Hughes said it was with great pleasure that he rose to support the vote of thanks moved by Mr Wheaton.
They were working together amicably for the welfare of the residents generally and he hoped that they would continue to do so. He desired to apologize for the absence of Mrs Carr who was away in Adelaide. He felt sure that she was thinking of them tonight. He would like to say a few words of thanks to the ladies who collected the money to pay for the piano.
He also desired to thank Messrs P Lyrie and Gliessert for providing the music for dances in the school-room before the advent of the piano.
Mr Hughes instanced the progress which has been made on the Island during the past few years. Tractors were conquering the scrub, motor cars were shortening distances thereby drawing the people closer together. Their agricultural methods were much improved and the towns were connected by telephone. Now they were opening their handsome hall. He desired to express the thanks of the residents, to the Committee for the good work they had accomplished. Special thanks was due to all those who helped in any way in the building, some had worked at less than the standard rates of pay, and others had worked without pay, among them being Messrs Paulson and Jelly both of whom had done some of the work without payment and others had also raised stone for the foundation while Mr Linnett had installed the light for them.
The floor was then cleared and a programme of dances and musical items etc was carried out. Mr Gentle carried out the duties of MC. The music for the dances was supplied by the Kingscote Dance Orchestra, comprising of Miss M Carter pianist, Messrs H Burley cornet, G Anderson violin and S Uren saxophone. They were assisted by Mesdames T A Harry, J Jensen, and Mr P Lyrie, all of whom gave their services free, and the committee desire to publicly thank them for their kindness.
At 11 pm a very nice supper was handed around, and although there were present about 250 people, the supply of good things was quite equal to the demand. The national anthem brought the proceeds to a close at about 1.30 am.
Those present freely expressed the pleasure they had received from the evening’s entertainment, and the opening of the American River Institute Hall will long be remembered. The profit for the evening was about £30. The committee apart from the £200 borrowed have still to raise £45. They desired to thank all who assisted in any way, and also thank Mr and Mrs A Daw for the gift of a fine Australian Red Ensign. [Ref: Kangaroo Island Courier 29-9-1928]
*A Gala Night at American River
Despite the heavy rain on Wednesday afternoon and evening, the Fancy Dress Ball at American River was a great success. Although the rain caused a few to stay away, there was quite a large number present from Kingscote and Penneshaw.
Mr C W Hughes, the President of the Association during an interval, thanked those present for their support, and extended a welcome to the visitors from Kingscote, and Penneshaw, and also thanked the ladies for the help they had given the Progress Association during the past year.
The ball that evening was held to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the hall. [Ref: Kangaroo Island Courier 28-9-1929]
