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Physical Description

The courthouse is positioned in the centre of its block of land, isolated from surrounding buildings. It is well set back in its landscaped surrounds and is a simple, representative courthouse building constructed of local materials, rendered inside and out, with fine cedar fittings in the Victorian Classical Academic style.

Four classical columns of modified Doric form (without entasis) support the portico, which features a wrought iron railing of unusual design. The Royal Coat of Arms sits inside the expression of the pediment above three small rectangular clerestory windows which reflect the division of the facade into three bays. Simple overhung sash windows light the interior; four on either side and one on either side of the main entrance. A simple moulded stringcourse links the line of the portico/porch to the side walls and minor structures to the rear

Building materials used in the Courthouse include the dressed sandstone detailing, brick chimney details and timber panelled doors and timber double hung on the exterior. Interior elements include the timber panel joinery details of the original building, original timber doors, architraves, oval louvred vent.

Modifications

Building completed in 1891 at a cost of 1658 pounds.

1.circa 1960m a new Judges' bench and canopy were installed
2. Prior to auction 1994 most of interior moveable fittings and some joinery were removed including jury box, seating and railings
3. 1995- 1999 some remaining interior fittings removed
4. Cyclone mesh fence installed on perimeter of site circa 1960s.
5. Substantial new garden plantings and landscaping including boundary hedge, two rectangular pools at front, paths, and trees have been undertaken as part of the adaptive reuse plan for Berry Courthouse Committee . All works have been assessed favourably in terms of heritage impact.

Condition

Good to very good condition. The building has been well maintained throughout it’s life as a courthouse and restorative work completed in 2000- 2001 included repair of slate entrance steps, removal of intrusive interior additions.

History

The land for the Berry Courthouse was offered as a gift by David Berry sometime prior to July 1889. The offer was conditional on a signed agreement that the building would be of aa scale considered appropriate by David Berry. The Department of Justice considered Mr Berry's ideas be too grand and the donation of land was delayed. Just before he died in 1889 Berry finally signed the deed of conveyance transfering ownership of the land to the Government.By July 1889 an amount of (Pounds)1500 had been approved for the new Courthouse and the paperwork forwarded to Public Works.

The Courthouse design has been attributed to James Barnet who was Colonial Architect in 1889 but no original drawings can be located. The courthouse appears to have been built in the centre of the site, as were most of Barnet's designs "isolated from surrounding buildings and well set back with plenty of grounds and with landscaping to match .."

Tenders for the construction of the Courthouse were invited and advertised in the Government Gazette on 21st March 1890. and on 17 June 1890 the tender ((Pounds)1593 10 00) of A & P. Ettinghausen was accepted. Antonio and Peter Ettinghausen were local tradesmen and Peter was also the local undertaker, so it is quite possible that he was the partner responsible for the fine cedar fittings and woodwork.

Progress of the building was recorded in The Shoalhaven News of 15th August 1891:

'The new courthouse, erected by townsman Ettinghausen, will be ready for occupation in a few weeks time. The 'agony' room is spacious, being 35 feet long, 26 feet wide most horrible-looking arrangement, in fact more uninviting than the one at Darlinghurst. The cost of the building is near (Pounds)1700.'

The building was completed in 1891 at a cost of (Pounds)1,658/10/7 and was one of 25 new government buildings erected during that year.

The courthouse was also used for civic occasions such as Governor's reception by the Berry Agricultural and Horticultural Society in 1893. The Governor, Lord Jersey was welcomed to Berry at the Courthouse before proceeding to the showground for the official 1893 Agricultural Society Show opening ceremony.

In 1894 the Courthouse Gardens were further developed with 54 trees (unspecified species) and 48 shrubs, issued by the Royal Botanical Gardens to be planted in the Berry Courthouse grounds in August 1894. Apparently the area around the Courthouse was fenced sometime after March 1896.

The Court of Petty Sessions in Berry was abolished on 30th July 1988. On The 24th September 1994 Elders Real Estate at Berry auctioned the Courthouse on behalf of the Department of Courts Administration (Justice Department). Prior to the auction the Department of Justice removed most of the internal moveable cedar fittings.

Mr Anthony A. Graham purchased the Courthouse on the 24th February 1995. Sometime between February 1995 and July 1999 some of the remaining cedar fittings were removed from the interior of the courthouse to give more access to floor space.

The Courthouse was purchased by the Shoalhaven City Council four years later on 14th July 1999. The purchase of the property by Council was strongly influenced by an extensive community consultation program and lobbying by local Berry residents. The Berry Courthouse Conservation Committee Inc was formed after the purchase of the property and currently holds a 10-year lease with Shoalhaven City Council.

Internet links

Webpage	Source
Berry Courthouse
Berry Courthouse	Attraction Homepage

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