George Gordon Hoskins’ role in the design of the town’s historic Town Hall features in the latest ‘My Town Hall’ blog.
It’s the latest in a series focusing on key figures and events associated with Middlesbrough Town Hall as part of the ongoing Heritage Lottery Fund-supported restoration and refurbishment project.
Shaun Marshall, a Local History Research Volunteer on the project, has highlighted the fascinating career of the Grade II* Listed landmark’s architect.
As well as discussing Hoskins’ early years, the blog reveals the extensive contribution the architect made in shaping Victorian Teesside, the influence of Alfred Waterhouse who designed Manchester Town Hall, and Hoskins’ work on a number of properties across the region.
Among the other properties designed by Hoskins were commissions for the Pease and Backhouse families such as Spensley’s Emporium in Middlesbrough which was previously a bank in the heart of the town’s commercial district.
Middlesbrough Town Hall was officially opened in 1889 by the Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the town.
Heritage Development Officer Dr Tosh Warwick said: “The blog on G.G. Hoskins has helped reveal new information on Middlesbrough Town Hall’s architect and the role he played more widely in shaping the area’s Victorian built environment.
“The research undertaken through volunteering on the project underlines the important contribution that the wider community makes in celebrating our heritage.”
The improvement works have been made possible thanks to £3.7m funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £4m from Middlesbrough Council.
Engagement and Learning Officer Liz Hayward added: “The developments arising from the improvement works will help improve access to the Town Hall and help make the venue a centre of activity in the heart of Middlesbrough.”
- The My Town Hall campaign is aiming to bring together a collective story of the venue through individual memories and more are still being sought.
Anyone wishing to access the blog or share a memory of Middlesbrough Town Hall should visit www.mytownhall.co.uk
My idea was to simplify the buildings and link them all in some way & also capture the colours of Boro.
There's a nod to the industrial heritage & the town's history, but also I wanted to capture to aspects of modern Middlesbrough with our newer buildings.
