The Dome
After the town of Brighton purchased the Royal Pavilion estate from Queen Victoria in 1850, for $53,000, the stables and riding house were used as cavalry barracks until 1864.
The decision was then made to turn the building into a more useful space for the town residences by turning it into a assembly and concert hall. Reconstructed in an Indian style, with an enormous 30 ft high, 16ft diameter gas powered chandelier hanging from the centre of the dome. It seated an impressive 2,500 people and was completed in 1867.
The entrance porch in the Pavilion grounds was added in 1901-1902. The Dome continued as a concert hall up until the war when it was converted, along with the palace, into a hospital ward for the Indian Soldiers.
brightondome.org
The Dome originally was the stables, added onto The Royal Pavilion, completed in 1808. Its engineering feat (of the day) and main feature was the segmented glass panelled dome reached 65ft high and 80ft in diameter. The dome provided light and cover for a large open space below where the horses were exercised - it originally had a large water feature at its centre. Around the outside up to 44 horses were stalled under a circular gallery and stable servant's quarters.
The west wing of the building was home to a riding school - this area later became the Corn Exchange.
The decision was then made to turn the building into a more useful space for the town residences by turning it into a assembly and concert hall. Reconstructed in an Indian style, with an enormous 30 ft high, 16ft diameter gas powered chandelier hanging from the centre of the dome. It seated an impressive 2,500 people and was completed in 1867.
The entrance porch in the Pavilion grounds was added in 1901-1902. The Dome continued as a concert hall up until the war when it was converted, along with the palace, into a hospital ward for the Indian Soldiers.
The Dome interior was again remodelled in 1934-1935 as a new 2,100 seated theatre, with the glass roof replaced with a false ceiling, other updated inclusions were an electric organ and a balcony. The Dome Theatre has continued to serve the public as a conference, entertainment and concert hall to this day. Some of the most famous names in entertainment have performed there including Abba, Pink Floyd, and Beyonce.
The rest of the building have housed the museum and art gallery which and the towns free library.
info taken from: http://www.sikhmuseum.com/brighton/palace/dome/index.html#1
My visit:
Having visited the museum many times as child, I felt a little excited as I planned my re-visit many years later. It was foul weather which limited my photos of the surroundings and outside of the historic building.
The entrance is free to the museum, with periodic exhibitions at a small charge.
I was however a little disappointed as it seemed many of the pieces I remembered had disappeared, and I later found out the museum was redisplayed in 2002. I was slightly disappointed too, with the lack of specifically 'Brighton' history. There is an exhibition but not enough really I think for a 'Brighton' museum; I expected more. Brighton is packed full of history I am sure there are masses of examples that could have been obtained and shared with visitors. On a positive side it has become much more child friendly and seems a good place to take children on a wet and wild day; especially with free entry.
Another positive note ... the cafe does great coffee and cakes, and the architecture and interior design of the older quarters if still beautiful.
I also found this tour when researching:
Seek out the hidden histories of this iconic building, including a rare glimpse of the
entrance to the tunnel, which joins the Royal Pavilion and the Dome Concert Hall. Learn about how this Grade 1 listed building has been transformed into the work-class venue it is today. Price per person is £8.50 to include tea and cake after the tour. Call 01273 709709 to book.
