Architecture

The building is a peculiar collection of classically columned frontage, bolted on additions and fragmented satellite buildings of different eras. Inside, the magnificent wrought iron gates, and suicidal spiral staircases lead up to the gallery of the Main Hall ... in itself an amazing horseshoe shaped amphitheatre which also challenges one's limits of vertigo immunity.

According to Abel Heywood's Penny Guide of 1867, the foundation stone of this elegant and flourishing institution was laid by Lord Brougham in 1835. It cost £15,000. It has a central projection consisting of a fine cornice, supported by four columns in the Ionic order. It has a School of Art attached to it - builder A. H. Holme (probably related to the active and rich Liverpool firm of brothers James & Samuel Holme) as having designed a front of "bold & massive effect" (Memorials of Liverpool, V 2., p.258) and more recently Quentin Hughes' magnificent new book: Liverpool City of Architecture as "somewhat heavy handed but noble and in keeping with the Georgian environs". (p.50) (Thanks to Graham Ride and Iain Taylor for these gems).

Alterations to the Building

• 1835 July 20th Foundation stone laid.
• 1837 March 30th Fire.
• '' Sept 15th Opening ceremony
• 1839 Sculpture gallery built
• 1840 Three storeys of the western wing completed
• 1843 Organ built behind the lecture hall
• Chemical laboratory behind the lecture hall enlarged
• 1859 Three classrooms constructed under the sculpture gallery
• 1869 Iron gates placed in the vestibule
• 1872 Two classrooms built above the rear of the lecture hall
• 1873 Fourth storey added to the Western wing
• 1883 School of Art building opened
• 1896 Sculpture gallery replaced by chemical laboratory
• 1898 New entrances made to lecture hall
• 1899 Dining room enlarged
• 1900-1 Corridors made in the western wing
• 1903-5 Present playgrounds acquired
• School transferred to the City Council
• 1908 Third storey added to the eastern wing and south elevation embellished
• 1915-16 Organ, gymnasium and library presented
• 1929 Windows inserted in northern elevation

Thanks to Wally Owen who supplied this information.

According to John Missenden ... "the order of the columns' capitals is Ionic (scrolls) as is that of the columns flanking the iron gates ... one idea is that the Ionic order represents wisdom ... the Corinthian order (acanthus leaves) was supposed to denote beauty.

Houses

In 1928, the Houses were

• Alfred Holt    Masters Ledger and Sproat
• Cochran        Masters Thorpe and Russell
• Danson         Masters Stell and Rose
• Hughes        Masters Peters and Bartlett
• Owen            Masters Doughty and Killingly
• Philip Holt    Masters Hart and Reece
• Tate                Masters Estace and GLR Brown