CHILTERN ATHENAEUM AND MUSEUM
57 CONNESS STREET CHILTERN, INDIGO SHIRE

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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Chiltern Athenaeum and former Town Hall is a single storey brick structure in the Conservative Classical style. The combined library and municipal office building was designed by the Beechworth architect, John Coe and was built circa 1866 by Houston and Hunter of Rutherglen. The building comprises a simple rectangular hall with a centrally located entrance, the building has rendered pilasters and a small raised pediment over its arched entry way. Above the main door is a fine peacock-tail fanlight with radiating spokes. The Athenaeum and former Town Hall replaced an earlier timber structure which was used by the Chiltern Library Institute after its foundation in 1861. Whilst the building ceased its dual functionality in 1937, the Athenaeum continues.
How is it significant?
The Chiltern Athenaeum and former Town Hall is of historical, social and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
The Chiltern Athenaeum and former Town Hall is of historical importance for its role in Victoria's goldmining history. The Chiltern district was one of the most important gold producing areas in the colony and the Athenaeum and former Town Hall was the centre of local government activity in the region during this period. The building also had an important social and community role as a library and cultural centre and many important Victorians, including Dr Walter Richardson( influential spiritualist and father of Henry Handel Richardson, were associated with the building. Cultural institutions, such as athenaeums and mechanics institutes, were particularly prevalent during the 1860s and the increase in their construction corresponded with the consolidation of towns founded on Victorian goldfields. The Chiltern Athenaeum and former Town Hall is historically significant for its ability to express the growth and solidification of a country township once the initial rush to Victoria's gold fields had subsided; this building is especially significant given the role of Chiltern in Victoria's goldmining history.
The Chiltern Athenaeum and former Town Hall is architecturally significant as a rare example of a combined library and municipal office. The building maintains a high degree of integrity, retaining many of its furnishings, fittings and fixtures, and its original split function can still be interpreted through its internal layout, although the timber partition has been removed. The building is a significant example of a provincial hall in the Conservative Classical style and remains relatively intact. The polished cedar tables, shelving and chairs are thought to be located in much the same positions as they were when the building was first constructed.
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CHILTERN ATHENAEUM AND MUSEUM - Permit Exemptions
General Exemptions:General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions. Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.Specific Exemptions:EXEMPTIONS FROM PERMITS:
(Classes of works or activities which may be undertaken without a permit under
Part 4 of the Heritage Act 1995)
Interior Decoration
Interior painting/wall papering to walls and ceilings, provided the
preparation work for painting/papering does not remove evidence of the
building's original paint or decorative scheme.
Removal of existing carpets/ flexible floor coverings.
Installation of carpets and flexible floor covering.
Installation of curtain track, rod, blinds and other window dressings.
Installation of hooks, nails and other devices for the hanging of paintings,
mirrors and other wall mounted works of art.
Refurbishment of any Bathrooms, Toilets, Kitchens
Refurbishment of bathroom/toilet including removal of existing sanitary
fixtures and associated piping, mirrors and floor coverings, and installation
of new fixtures, and wall and floor coverings.
Other
Re-wiring provided that all new wiring is fully concealed and any original
light switches are retained in-situ.
Installation of smoke detectors.
Installation of insulation.
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