Victoria Hall

Petrolia, Italy

Victoria Hall is a town hall and theatre in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada. Built between 1887 and 1889, when Petrolia was one of Canada's wealthiest towns due to its oil industry, the hall was designed by George F. Durand in a lavish and eclectic blend of the Queen Anne Revival and Gothic Revival styles

. In its early years, the hall hosted numerous gatherings of Petrolia's elites, but by the 1930s it had fallen into disuse. After becoming increasingly dilapidated, Victoria Hall was renovated, first in the 1960s for the town council and again from 1972 to 1974 for Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. In 1975, Victoria Hall was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. On January 25, 1989, a fire destroyed most of Victoria Hall's interior and damaged its exterior masonry. Although the construction of a new building was considered, ultimately the town council decided to renovate the hall. Victoria Hall was reopened in 1992, and has continued to host Petrolia's town council as well as theatrical performances.

Listen to the audio guide for Victoria Hall Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off