Narrabri Gaol and Residence

About

The Narrabri Gaol and Residence is a heritage-listed former gaol and now museum at Bowen Street, Narrabri, Narrabri Shire, New South Wales, Australia. The building was designed by James Barnet and built from 1880 to 1881 by J. Conlon. The property is owned by Narrabri Shire Council and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

The first government structures to be erected on the site were the first court house, lock-up and lock-up keepers accommodation. In 1865 the lock-up consisted of two cells, accommodating a maximum of six prisoners. In 1875 this was extended by infilling the passage between the two cells, creating an extra cell for two additional prisoners. These structures were located in the area that now forms the forecourt to the second courthouse.

As a result of a number of escapes and influx of prisoners in late 1877, application for additional accommodation was made by the Acting Gaoler.

Tenders were called in 1880 for the erection of a gaol and residence at Narrabri. The buildings were designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and the plans were available for inspection at the Colonial Architects Office and at Narrabri Court House.

Tenders closed on 31 September 1880 and the tender of J. Conlon was accepted on 20 October 1880 for A£ 3,590, eight shillings and sixpence. The buildings were constructed from 1880 to 1881.

On the 10 October 1886 the site was notified in the Government Gazette as reserved for a gaolsite, along with reserves for the Court House and Police purposes.

A formal composition consisting of a main central wing having an elaborate classical pediment and roof fleche flanked on the street by tall brick walls having rendered quoins and spheres above. A timber verandah frames the main entrance while at the rear there is an extensive range of single storey residential cell and service blocks all of similar stuccoed brick construction.

The walls of the building are all solid, generally laid in English bond and are substantial. In the residential section, external walls are 350 millimetres (14 in) thick and internal walls are 225 millimetres (8.9 in) thick. In the gaol section the external walls are 450 millimetres (18 in) thick and internal walls are 350 millimetres (14 in) thick. The floors are generally raised approx 750 millimetres (30 in) above the footpath level.

The roof structure is timber with pine boarding on the rafters, oversheeted with corrugated galvanised iron. The structure is double couple close structure with collar ties and substantial ceiling joists. All timbers are cypress pine.

The physical condition is good. The archaeological potential is low.

Since its construction in 1880-1881 the following modifications have been made:

- 1890 – addition (probably kitchen and wash house)

- 1898 – addition (probably 2 bedrooms, bathroom and verandah)

- 1946 – demolition of kitchen, wash house, bedrooms, bathrooms, external closet rear porch and steps and infilling the well. Dining room extension and providing a double door link to the existing dining room.

- 1988 – verandah on Bowen Street entrance completely reconstructed with floorboards replaced again in 2010.

- 1997 – perimeter wall to eastern courtyard underpinned and partially reconstructed.

The physical condition is good. The archaeological potential is low.

Since its construction in 1880-1881 the following modifications have been made:

- 1890 – addition (probably kitchen and wash house)

- 1898 – addition (probably 2 bedrooms, bathroom and verandah)