| Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall | |
|---|---|
 Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall | |
| Location | Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire |
| Coordinates | 52°11′29″N1°42′25″W / 52.1915°N 1.7070°W /52.1915; -1.7070 |
| Built | 1767 |
| Architect | Robert Newman |
| Architectural style | Palladian style |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 25 October 1951 |
| Reference no. | 1298545 |
  Shown in Warwickshire | |
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall is a municipal building in Sheep Street,Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. It is a Grade II*listed building.[1]
%2c_as_Richard_III_(from_Shakespeare%2527s_%2527Richard_III%2527)_Nathaniel_Dance-Holland_(1735%25E2%2580%25931811)_Stratford-upon-Avon_Town_Hall.jpg)
The previous building on the site was the "Market House": it was arcaded on the ground floor and had an assembly room on the first floor and was completed in 1634.[2] It was used as a munitions store during theEnglish Civil War until it exploded on 25 February 1643.[3] It was restored in 1661 but, by the mid 18th century, it was "in a dangerous and ruinous state".[3][4][a]
The current building, which was designed by Robert Newman in thePalladian style, was completed in 1767.[1] It was officially opened by the actor,David Garrick, in 1769.[1] The design for the Sheep Street elevation involved three bays which were originally arcaded on the ground floor; on the first floor there were two windows with a statue ofWilliam Shakespeare byJohn Cheere in aniche between the windows.[5] On the Chapel Street elevation the design involved five bays in a similar style but with the words "God Save the King" painted below the first floor window sills; above the first floor was a largepediment containing the borough'scoat of arms.[1] The principal rooms were the courtroom, with a richcoffered ceiling, on the ground floor and the ballroom, withTuscan orderpilasters and fineRococo detailing, on the first floor.[1]
Council meetings continued to be held in theGuildhall until 1843 when they were transferred to the town hall.[6] The building was altered in 1863, when the arcading was blocked up with windows, and a rear extension was added with a window and a porch facing onto Sheep Street.[1] The courtroom continued to hostpetty sessions until 1878 when the room was converted into a council chamber.[7] During theFirst World War, the town hall was used as aRed CrossVoluntary Aid Detachment auxiliary hospital.[8]
The ballroom was badly damaged in a fire in December 1946 but was subsequently restored.[1] The council chamber continued to be the meeting place of the borough council but ceased to be the local seat of government when the enlargedStratford-on-Avon District Council was formed in 1974.[9] It remains, however, the meeting place of the local town council.[10]
Works of art held by the town hall includeDavid Garrick as Richard III a painting byNathaniel Dance-Holland depicting David Garrick performing asKing Richard III in Shakespeares's play,Richard III,[11] and a painting byWilliam Hamilton depictingSarah Siddons performing as Euphrasia inArthur Murphy's play,The Grecian Daughter.[12]
