Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Free Ambulance Building, Wellington

Free Ambulance Building, Wellington

This is the former Wellington Free Ambulance Building catching the late afternoon sun. The Wellington Free Ambulance service was founded in 1928 by Sir Charles Norwood, businessman, philanthropist and Mayor of Wellington 1925-27. It was the only free ambulance service in New Zealand.

Free Ambulance Building, Wellington

This building was constructed in 1932 to the design by William Turnbull and the service used it until new premises were constructed in Thorndon in 1994.

Free Ambulance Building, Wellington

Since then it has had a variety of uses and is now a bar.

Free Ambulance Building, Wellington

Reference:
Art Deco Heritage Trail booklet, Wellington City Council 1996 (2nd Ed. 2005)

Posted by David Thompson
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2 comments:

  1. HelsDecember 9, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    Great building, both because the design and colours are sleek and elegant, and because everyone needs a free ambulance service. The inter-war period was often very progressive... surprisingly so!

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    Replies
    1. David ThompsonDecember 9, 2013 at 10:37 AM

      I think that a lot of these organisations result from WWI where lots of people got involved in various endeavours to help soldiers at the front, returned soldiers, war widows and the war effort in general. In peace time this spirit was channelled to other charitable organisations.

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