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Whitfield Barracks

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Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.
Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.
Health Education Exhibition and Resources Centre, former Block S4.
Former Block 58.

Whitfield Barracks (Chinese: 威菲路兵房) were barracks in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is now the site of Kowloon Park, where several reconverted buildings remain.

It was named after Henry Wase Whitfield, the commander of British Army in Hong Kong.

History

In the 1890s, the Barracks were first built for the British Indian garrisons. Twenty five barrack blocks were built by 1906; the Barracks were developed in subsequent years. By 1910, there had been 85 barrack buildings constructed. A mosque was also built at the southeastern corner of the site for worship by the garrison.[1]

It belonged to the British Military Force when Hong Kong was under British rule. The premises was later returned to the Government of Hong Kong in 1967. In 1970, the Urban Council redeveloped the site into the Kowloon Park.[1]

The Government ignited some controversy when it made proposals in 1982 for a strip of retail premises fronting Nathan Road included to be carved into the hill of Kowloon Park. The move was opposed by the Urban Council, as well as the Moslem community, whose mosque was close by.[2]

Remaining buildings

The remaining Blocks 58, S4, S61 and S62 of the former barracks are listed as Grade III historic buildings.

Blocks S61 and S62 were constructed in circa 1910. They are a pair of identical two storied colonial military barrack blocks. The roofs are pitched with Chinese tiles with tar finish. They housed the former Hong Kong Museum of History from 1983 to 1998 before the completion of the present Museum at Chatham Road South. An extension block linking the two historical barracks was constructed in the 1980s to provide more space for the museum facilities. It now houses the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.[3]

The former Block S4 is a two-storied colonial military barrack building which is identical to Blocks S61 and S62. It now houses Health Education Exhibition and Resources Centre.

Block S58 is used as a godown of the Hong Kong Museum of History.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b The Geographical Information System on Hong Kong Heritage
  2. ^ Michael Chugani, Kowloon Park land sale plan tipped to spark row, South China Morning Post, 10 January 1982
  3. ^ Blogger: Connexion en vue de la lecture
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