Victoria Hall (Petrolia)

Oil was discovered in Petrolia in 1860.{{sfn|MacRae|Adamson|1983|p=237}} By the 1880s, the town{{mdash}}incorporated in 1874{{mdash}}had become one of Canada's wealthiest due to decades of [[oil exploration]] and [[Oil exploitation|exploitation]]. Petrolia decided to commission a [[town hall]],{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} with its earliest plans proposed in 1881;{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=325}} at the time, council was meeting at the Oil Exchange Hall, built in 1871.{{sfn|Burr|2006|pp=92, 100}} Although these initial were rejected by the town council, in 1886 existing facilities were deemed inadequate. The following year, Petrolia commissioned [[George F. Durand]], based in [[London, Ontario]], to design a town hall that reflected the town's prosperity.{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=325}} Durand also completed several churches and a Masonic Hall in Petrolia,{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=223}} and at the time was working on several projects in Southwestern Ontario, including the [[Perth County Courthouse]] in [[Stratford, Ontario]].{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=107}}

Oil was discovered in Petrolia in 1860.{{sfn|MacRae|Adamson|1983|p=237}} By the 1880s, the town{{mdash}}incorporated in 1874{{mdash}}had become one of Canada's wealthiest due to decades of [[oil exploration]] and [[Oil exploitation|exploitation]]. Petrolia decided to commission a [[town hall]],{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} with its earliest plans proposed in 1881;{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=325}} at the time, council was meeting at the Oil Exchange Hall, built in 1871.{{sfn|Burr|2006|pp=92, 100}} Although these initial were rejected by the town council, in 1886 existing facilities were deemed inadequate. The following year, Petrolia commissioned [[George F. Durand]], based in [[London, Ontario]], to design a town hall that reflected the town's prosperity.{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=325}} Durand also completed several churches and a Masonic Hall in Petrolia,{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=223}} and at the time was working on several projects in Southwestern Ontario, including the [[Perth County Courthouse]] in [[Stratford, Ontario]].{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=107}}

Construction was completed in January 1889, with the project costing approximately CA$35,000 ({{Inflation|CA|35000|1889|fmt=eq|r=-3}}). This expense was controversial, with critics deeming the project excessively lavish.{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=325}} The completed building included numerous facilities, including an armoury, courtroom, fire department, jail, and municipal offices. At the town's insistence, the building also included a 1,000-seat opera house.{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} This opera house was used during the inauguration event, which included vocal performances as well as poetry readings.{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=330}}

Construction was completed in January 1889, with the project costing approximately CA$35,000 ({{Inflation|CA|35000|1889|fmt=eq|r=-5}}). This expense was controversial, with critics deeming the project excessively lavish.{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=325}} The completed building included numerous facilities, including an armoury, courtroom, fire department, jail, and municipal offices. At the town's insistence, the building also included a 1,000-seat opera house.{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} This opera house was used during the inauguration event, which included vocal performances as well as poetry readings.{{sfn|Tausky|Distefano|2018|p=330}}

===Dilapidation and restoration===

===Dilapidation and restoration===

===Fire and subsequent history===

===Fire and subsequent history===

On January 25, 1989,{{sfn|Whipp|1989|p=A2}} three weeks after celebrating its centennial, Victoria Hall was devastated by a fire that originated in its basement.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=226}} Most of the interior was destroyed,{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} as were most archival documents,{{sfn|Kula|2019|p=A3}} though the exterior brickwork exterior survived.{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} The town received an insurance settlement of CA$4 million ({{Inflation|CA|4000000|1989|fmt=eq|r=-3}}),{{sfn|Gervais|1990|p=C1}} and residents debated building an entirely new town hall or restoring the earlier design;{{sfn|Kula|2019|p=A3}} the estimated cost of restoration was CA$7 million ({{Inflation|CA|7000000|1990|fmt=eq|r=-3}}) in 1990.{{sfn|Gervais|1990|p=C1}} Mayor Marcel Beaubien stated on a January 26 Speech, "We cannot mortgage the future of the Town of Petrolia to restore the building".{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=229}}

On January 25, 1989,{{sfn|Whipp|1989|p=A2}} three weeks after celebrating its centennial, Victoria Hall was devastated by a fire that originated in its basement.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=226}} Most of the interior was destroyed,{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} as were most archival documents,{{sfn|Kula|2019|p=A3}} though the exterior brickwork exterior survived.{{sfn|Canada's Historic Places, Victoria Hall}} The town received an insurance settlement of CA$4 million ({{Inflation|CA|4000000|1989|fmt=eq|r=-5}}),{{sfn|Gervais|1990|p=C1}} and residents debated building an entirely new town hall or restoring the earlier design;{{sfn|Kula|2019|p=A3}} the estimated cost of restoration was CA$7 million ({{Inflation|CA|7000000|1990|fmt=eq|r=-5}}) in 1990.{{sfn|Gervais|1990|p=C1}} Mayor Marcel Beaubien stated on a January 26 Speech, "We cannot mortgage the future of the Town of Petrolia to restore the building".{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=229}}

Ultimately, after a Petrolia decided to refurbish the building, agreeing to a proposal to restore Victoria Hall together with a {{convert|316|m2}} addition. Although the initial proposal called for a 500-seat theatre, capacity was reduced to 425 seats.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}} Rebuilding began on November 19, 1990, and was handled by Quadrangle Architects.{{harvnb|Burr|2006|p=232}}; {{harvnb|Williams|2002|p=A1}} with a final cost of CA$6.5 million ({{Inflation|CA|6500000|1992|fmt=eq|r=-3}}).{{sfn|Kula|2019|p=A3}} Of this, CA$750,000 ({{Inflation|CA|750000|1992|fmt=eq|r=-3}}) had been raised by the community,{{sfn|Schilz|2017a}} with the remainder coming from the insurance settlement and government grants. Several elements of the earlier renovations, including the glass foyer, were not rebuilt.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}}

Ultimately, after a Petrolia decided to refurbish the building, agreeing to a proposal to restore Victoria Hall together with a {{convert|316|m2}} addition. Although the initial proposal called for a 500-seat theatre, capacity was reduced to 425 seats.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}} Rebuilding began on November 19, 1990, and was handled by Quadrangle Architects.{{harvnb|Burr|2006|p=232}}; {{harvnb|Williams|2002|p=A1}} with a final cost of CA$6.5 million ({{Inflation|CA|6500000|1992|fmt=eq|r=-5}}).{{sfn|Kula|2019|p=A3}} Of this, CA$750,000 ({{Inflation|CA|750000|1992|fmt=eq|r=-4}}) had been raised by the community,{{sfn|Schilz|2017a}} with the remainder coming from the insurance settlement and government grants. Several elements of the earlier renovations, including the glass foyer, were not rebuilt.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}}

Victoria Hall reopened on September 20, 1992. Municipal services continued to be provided,{{sfn|Boughner|2005|p=6}} with council chambers, meeting rooms, and offices in the building.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}} Despite early uncertainty,{{sfn|Gervais|1990|p=C1}} the VPP continued to occupy the theatre, with other parts of the top floor used for its offices and storage.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}} By 2002, it recorded 40,000 tickets sold per annum,{{sfn|Boughner|2005|p=6}} which had increased to 50,000 by 2023.{{sfn|Morden|2023}} Since the 2010s, Petrolia has sought to expand Victoria Hall. In 2017, the town announced its intent to undertake a [[feasibility study]] for an expansion.{{sfn|Schilz|2017b|p=A2}} In 2023, Petrolia approved a CA$3.5 million renovation to install a second elevator, install new washrooms, and expand storage space, with funding expected to be obtained partially through grants. This project was expected to address accessibility concerns and ameliorate washrooms queues during theatrical performances.{{sfn|Morden|2023}}

Victoria Hall reopened on September 20, 1992. Municipal services continued to be provided,{{sfn|Boughner|2005|p=6}} with council chambers, meeting rooms, and offices in the building.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}} Despite early uncertainty,{{sfn|Gervais|1990|p=C1}} the VPP continued to occupy the theatre, with other parts of the top floor used for its offices and storage.{{sfn|Burr|2006|p=232}} By 2002, it recorded 40,000 tickets sold per annum,{{sfn|Boughner|2005|p=6}} which had increased to 50,000 by 2023.{{sfn|Morden|2023}} Since the 2010s, Petrolia has sought to expand Victoria Hall. In 2017, the town announced its intent to undertake a [[feasibility study]] for an expansion.{{sfn|Schilz|2017b|p=A2}} In 2023, Petrolia approved a CA$3.5 million renovation to install a second elevator, install new washrooms, and expand storage space, with funding expected to be obtained partially through grants. This project was expected to address accessibility concerns and ameliorate washrooms queues during theatrical performances.{{sfn|Morden|2023}}