Report - Harrison House, Halifax, Yorkshire – August 2020

[Terminal Decline]

History
Harrison House is a grade two listed building, built in 1834 for the Halifax Literary and Philosophical Society. It contains a library and lecture theatre and sits in a prominent location, close to the town centre. The building has been disused for several years and is now being converted into around thirty offices. Although the developers say they intend to retain many of the original features I imagine it will be a struggle to retain the lecture theatre intact without tearing out the benches or covering them over.

Looking in form the main entrance.

The rooms at the front of the building are stripped and boring.

The attic was full of boxes.

The stone cantilever staircase leading to the library and lecture theatre balcony

Looking back towards the entrance.

The library.

The lecture theatre.

Remnants of the stencil decoration of the lecture theatre, hidden below layers of more recent paint.

Looking towards the entrance from the doorway to the lecture theatre balcony, the door to the library is on the right

Detail of the staircase railings.

The lecture theatre from the balcony.

Thanks for looking.

 

[jtza]

Really nice Lecture theatre is lovely.

 

[Bugsuperstar]

That’s great! Some lovely features in there.

 

[dweeb]

Nice, interesting place.

I always like seeing those stencils poking through the paint.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Some really nice features there. Liking the ornate stairs as per. The ceiling and high windows are also pretty cool. bad timing indeed.