Town Hall Ruins (Former Palmerston Town Hall)
"It is usual on occasions of this kind to present the gentleman performing the ceremony with a silver trowel... it's not here, but will be forthcoming shortly, suitably inscribed. It is just likely the (foundation) stone will be well laid without it for I have often noticed that gentlemen using silver trowels do not care to use much mortar.." (Victor. V. Brown, Chairman Palmerston District Council, 17 August 1882).
This once imposing building served a variety of roles over its 92 years. The discovery of gold, the completion of the overland telegraph and an expanding township of Palmerston, later to become Darwin, saw the formation of the Palmerston District Council in 1874.
With it came a need for a Town Hall and Council meeting place beyond the termite-ravaged Pickford's Rooms then in use.
Built to the design of John G. Knight, as were a number of Darwin's early substantial buildings, the Town Hall incorporated space for the Council and the Palmerston Institute with its reading room and library. It was constructed of local stone and cypress pine from Indian Island to timber the floor and a roof.
Opened on 10 March 1883 by the departing Government Resident, E. W. Price, the Town Hall was a popular venue for the citizens of Palmerston. It became the focus of many large social gatherings, a Local Court, library, and a meeting place for the then District Council.
In 1937 the Darwin Town Council was dissolved and the Commonwealth Bank moved in until its own building was completed in 1940.
A year later the navy took over the building as part of its shore base, HMAS Melville. Post-war the navy refused to surrender many buildings and a new town hall was built in 1954.
The navy moved out from this building in 1959 and from then it was known as the Old Town Hall, serving as motor vehicle registry, and from 1968, as a museum - until December 1974. Previously only slightly damaged in the 1897 cyclone, this once important part of Darwin's early history was devastated by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974.
In acknowledgment of its significance, the ruins were stabilised and now stand as a reminder of Cyclone Tracy, with the symbolism of the concentric paving reminding us of the destructive forces of the cyclone. And, again, the Old Town Hall is a popular venue for community activities, including theatrical performances and outdoor entertainment.
The Town Hall Ruins were declared a heritage place on 19 March 1996.