Old Library, Cardiff: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Cardiff Story entrance (1).JPG|thumb|260px|East elevation on Working Street]] |
[[File:Cardiff Story entrance (1).JPG|thumb|260px|East elevation on Working Street]] |
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A competition was held to choose a design for the new Cardiff Free Library. The winning design was by architects James, [[Edwin Seward|Seward]] and Thomas, and the building was erected between 1880 and 1882 for just over £9,000.<ref name=hevac>{{cite web|url=http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/heating/other_buildings/old_library_cardiff/old_library_cardiff.htm|title=The Old Library, Cardiff|publisher=HEVAC Heritage Group|accessdate=2009-03-21}}</ref> The Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art (including an art gallery) was opened on 31 May 1882 by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Alfred Thomas. The day was declared a public holiday.<ref name=cardiffstory>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffstory.com/content.asp?nav=178,226&parent_directory_id=2&id=160&language=|title=The Cardiff Story (1882)|publisher=[[Cardiff Council]]|accessdate= |
A competition was held to choose a design for the new Cardiff Free Library. The winning design was by architects James, [[Edwin Seward|Seward]] and Thomas, and the building was erected between 1880 and 1882 for just over £9,000.<ref name=hevac>{{cite web|url=http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/heating/other_buildings/old_library_cardiff/old_library_cardiff.htm|title=The Old Library, Cardiff|publisher=HEVAC Heritage Group|accessdate=2009-03-21}}</ref> The Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art (including an art gallery) was opened on 31 May 1882 by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Alfred Thomas. The day was declared a public holiday.<ref name=cardiffstory>{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffstory.com/content.asp?nav=178,226&parent_directory_id=2&id=160&language= |title=The Cardiff Story (1882) |publisher=[[Cardiff Council]] |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120305152421/http://www.cardiffstory.com/content.asp?nav=178,226&parent_directory_id=2&id=160&language= |archivedate=March 5, 2012 }}</ref> The Schools of Science and Art were housed in the building until 1890 when it moved to buildings that were part of the University College.<ref name=cardiffstory /> |
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The building was further extended to the south fourteen years later, with a new south frontage designed by James, Seward & Thomas and constructed by local builders E Turner & Sons. This was officially re-opened by the [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|Prince of Wales]] on 27 July 1896.<ref name=blb /> |
The building was further extended to the south fourteen years later, with a new south frontage designed by James, Seward & Thomas and constructed by local builders E Turner & Sons. This was officially re-opened by the [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|Prince of Wales]] on 27 July 1896.<ref name=blb /> |
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Revision as of 05:08, 5 February 2016
| The Old Library | |
|---|---|
Yr Hen Lyfrgell | |
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Cardiff Free Library Cardiff Central Library |
| Alternative names | Cardiff Story |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Cardiff |
| Country | Wales |
| Opened | 31 May 1882 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | James, Seward and Thomas |
| Designations | Grade II* listed |
The Old Library in Cardiff, Wales, is a Grade II* listed building and is located in the centre of the city at the northern end of The Hayes. Originally the Cardiff Free Library, it was used as the city's Central Library until it was replaced in 1988. It has been used for other purposes since that time and it is currently the location of the Cardiff Story museum and the city centre's main Tourist Information point. It is noted for its fine collonaded exterior and original tiled entrance corridor.[1]
Design and construction
Plans for a new "grand and commanding" Cardiff Free Library and Museum were put before Cardiff Town Council in 1874. There were two options for the site, one being owned by Marquess of Bute at the corner of Wood Street and St Mary Street (though and attracting a hefty ground rent), the other owned by the Cardiff Council.[2] Because of the restrictions and costs imposed by the Bute Trustees, the St Mary Street site was rejected in October 1874.[3] In 1879 another option, to rebuild and extend the existing Free Library at the Cardiff Market, was rejected in favour of a Council-owned site on Working Street (which joins The Hayes), with rent-free incentives.[4]
.JPG)
A competition was held to choose a design for the new Cardiff Free Library. The winning design was by architects James, Seward and Thomas, and the building was erected between 1880 and 1882 for just over £9,000.[5] The Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art (including an art gallery) was opened on 31 May 1882 by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Alfred Thomas. The day was declared a public holiday.[6] The Schools of Science and Art were housed in the building until 1890 when it moved to buildings that were part of the University College.[6]
The building was further extended to the south fourteen years later, with a new south frontage designed by James, Seward & Thomas and constructed by local builders E Turner & Sons. This was officially re-opened by the Prince of Wales on 27 July 1896.[7]
Library 1924–1988
The Schools of Science and Arts moved to Cardiff University in 1890 and the mseum contents moved to the National Museum of Wales in 1923.[7] The building subsequently became simply Cardiff Library.
In December 1988 a new Cardiff Central Library opened in Frederick Street and the old library was closed.
Description
The building has two main storeys, plus a basement and attics. Built using Bath stone with Portland stone columns, the main south facade is symmetrical in a Neo-Classical style divided into three bays. The long east and west elevations are of similar materials and composition, but in a French classical style.[7]
The original entrance to the building featured a corridor lined with ornamental wall tiles, designed to depict the four seasons and night and morning. These tiles were impressed with coloured clay to give the impression of a mosaic.
The building's original heaters have been retained and are rare examples of vertical tubed heaters, made by William Graham of London.[5]
The building became Grade II* listed building in 1978, as one of the city's "finest public buildings".[7]
Post-library history
.JPG)
Following its closure as a library, the Old Library was used for a number of years as artists' studios.
In 1992 a feasibility study was carried out with view to the building becoming an arts centre. After receiving £9 million in grants, a new 'glass box' entrance was created on the east side of the building and the original tiled entrance was closed. The building opened as Cardiff's Centre for Visual Arts (CVA) in 1999. With two galleries totalling 1300 square metres, it became the largest venue for temporary exhibitions in Wales. However, the CVA was heavily criticised by the national press[8] and was short-lived, closing in 2000.
The Old Library was subsequently used for a variety of temporary exhibitions during the 2000s.
Cardiff Story
In 2011 the Cardiff Story, a permanent "people's museum" of submitted exhibits covering the history of Cardiff, opened on the upper floors and basement.[9]
Tourist Information Centre
A tourist information centre is currently located in the 'glass box' on Working Street.[10] In 2015, due to council budget cuts, this became an unstaffed self help information station with telephone access to the Wales Millennium Centre's staffed visitor centre in Cardiff Bay.[11]
Pub and restaurant
There have been a number of pub/restaurants that have briefly occupied the northern end of the building, from Bar 1876, Big Blue Bar, The Exhibition. These have all subsequently closed.
Other uses
In 2015 plans were announced to convert the first floor gallery into a Welsh language centre, with a cafe bar, book shop and classrooms.[12]
References
- ^ Le Nevez, Catherine; Whitfield, Paul (2012), The Rough Guide to Wales, Rough Guides, p. 79, ISBN 978-1405389815
- ^ "New Free Library for Cardiff". Cardiff Times. 3 January 1874. p. 7. Retrieved 2016-02-02 – via British Newspaper Archive.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Proposed Free Library for Cardiff". Western Mail. 15 October 1874. p. 6. Retrieved 2016-02-02 – via British Newspaper Archive.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "Free Library Building at Cardiff. Another Scheme". South Wales Daily News. 16 January 1879. p. 2. Retrieved 2016-02-02 – via British Newspaper Archive.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "The Old Library, Cardiff". HEVAC Heritage Group. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
- ^ a b "The Cardiff Story (1882)". Cardiff Council. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "Former Central Library, Castle". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ^ "Paint Job". Building Design. 1 December 1999. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- ^ "Museum exhibition to celebrate the Cardiff Story". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- ^ "Cardiff Museum". Cardiff County Council. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ^ Ruth Mosalski (23 March 2015). "No more tourist information staff in Cardiff city centre, but businesses say they hope giving hotel staff city tour will help". Wales Online. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- ^ Gareth Evans (28 May 2015). "Cardiff's Old Library building to house the city's new Welsh language centre". Wales Online. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
External links
Media related to Old Library, Cardiff at Wikimedia Commons- Cardiff Story Homepage
