Herberton School of Arts

The Herberton School of Arts is located in the centre of Herberton and has been an integral part of the local community since the district's European settlement. The School of Arts was constructed in 1881 through community efforts and uncommonly, it was the first communal building to be built in the newly-settled district. A ball was held in November 1881 to celebrate the opening of the hall and it soon became the venue for local government meetings. Additions were made to the timber hall in 1895, when the rear of the building was extended to include a stage and dressing rooms. By 1910, the front facade had been improved with the addition of numerous gardens, a pergola and paving. In the 1930s one of the rooms housed the office for the Shire Council and over subsequent decades, the school of arts has been extensively used for meetings and social functions. Providing a significant educational service to the local community, the School of Arts has been home to the Herberton Public Library, a geological collection and a photographic display since 1992. The Herberton Visitor Information Centre and Museum is in walking distance, along Jacks Road.