ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection
HMSS 0083 Reid House Reunion Records
Scope and Content Notes
Call Number |
HMSS 0083 |
---|---|
Collection |
Reid House Reunion Records |
Date Range |
1949-2000 |
Quantity | 0.18m (1 manuscript box) |
Access Conditions | open |
Copying Conditions | with attribution |
Related Collections | - |
Reid House opened on 17 February 1950 as a hostel for single white-collar workers. Its facilities were basic – uninsulated timber and fibro walls, unheated rooms, and communal bathrooms, dining and recreational areas. Despite these shortcomings, life was busy with sporting events, musical evenings, dances and socials, and lasting friendships and many marriages were made. The site stretched from the northern boundary of Constitution Avenue, where the Canberra Park Royal now stands, to near the National Convention Centre.
In 1970, Reid House was declared unsuitable as a public service hostel and was to have been demolished. However, public outcry and a need for low cost accommodation for students and the unemployed saved the accommodation blocks in 1971, and the central block became a venue for community art, music and theatre groups. Some accommodation blocks were moved to the campuses of Duntroon and the University of Canberra, and the site was demolished in 1981.
For the 50th anniversary of the opening of Reid House, Alan Foskett wrote a history of the hostel Reid – House of Fame, and a Reunion was held at the National Convention Centre on 3 April 2000. This collection represents the preparation for the Reunion together with material displayed on the day, and photographs of the events, which included a lunch, the launch of the book, and the unveiling of a plaque.
Box List
Box No. | Description | Quantity | Date Range |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Reunion Committee Papers Heritage Grant: deed of grant, correspondence
|
1 file | 1999-2000 |
1 |
Correspondence Correspondence with or about former residents of Reid House, unsorted |
3 files | 1999-2000 |
1 |
People and Activities at Reid House Includes photographs and photocopies of photographs, some unidentified, and some reminiscences |
1 file | 1950-2000 |
1 |
History of Reid House
|
1 file | 1949-2000 |
1 |
Reunion Day Includes photographs of the displays, the book launch and unveiling the plaque, and many unidentified photographs of the participants |
1 file | 3 April 2000 |