Leaf Hall

Leaf Hall
Leaf Hall
Leaf Hall is located in East Sussex
Leaf Hall
Location within East Sussex
50°46′16″N 0°17′43″E / 50.771118°N 0.295146°E / 50.771118; 0.295146
Location51 Seaside, Eastbourne
TV6193399348
History
Built1864–1864
Site notes
AreaEast Sussex
ArchitectRobert Knott Blessley
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name
Leaf Hall
Designated27 July 2017
Reference no.1447081

Leaf Hall is a grade II listed former working men's institute in Eastbourne, East Sussex. It was built in 1863–64 to a design by Robert Knott Blessley in a continental gothic style for the philanthropist William Leaf. It was closely associated with the temperance movement. The building now serves as a community arts centre.

The foundation stone stated the building's purpose was "to promote the social, moral and spiritual welfare of the working classes of Eastbourne". The hall's facilities included a coffee room, lending library and reading room, smoking room, skittle yard and a lecture room capable of seating 200 people. In the absence of a local theatre the hall was used for staging visiting shows, including General Tom Thumb in 1865.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Historic England. "Leaf Hall (1447081)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  2. ↑ Butlins site among landmarks protected by Historic England. BBC News, 18 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  3. ↑ The History of Leaf Hall – Eastbourne’s oldest public building. Archived 22 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Leaf Hall Community Arts Centre. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "Eastbourne building added to National Heritage List in 2017". Eastbourne Herald. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.