Logan Libraries will shine a spotlight this month on the fascinating history of the Kingston Butter Factory (KBF).
Logan City Council is finishing a $20 million redevelopment of the KBF and will re-open it as a cultural heritage and performing arts hub early next year.
As a precursor to the reopening, the site’s development over the past 115 years will be highlighted in a library presentation.
Council’s Local Heritage Specialist Dr Hilda Maclean will present the illustrated presentation between 10.30am and 11.30am on Wednesday, November 24.
The Butter to Broadway presentation will feature behind-the-scenes KBF stories and more than 100 years of photographs.
The new KBF cultural precinct, redeveloped with support from the Queensland Government, will be the City of Logan’s largest outdoor events space.
The 14-hectare natural parkland setting will host major festivals, concerts, markets and community celebrations.
It will also feature the Living Museum of Logan and the Butterbox Theatre in the former KBF building which has retained its exterior brickwork.
City Lifestyle Chair Councillor Laurie Koranski said the past and the future would be brought together in a world-class venue.
“Work on the KBF redevelopment is nearing the final stages and we look forward to welcoming the community once again to the site,” Cr Koranski said.
“The new-look precinct will be a popular gathering spot and will deliver considerable economic benefits to the City of Logan.”
KBF was built in 1907 using local timber before being reclad in brick and modernised in 1932.
By the mid-1930s, the factory was producing up to 50 tonnes of butter each week.
Dairy company Peters took over the factory in 1958 and it produced milk, cottage cheese and baker’s cheese until its closure in 1983.
KBF was redeveloped into a community arts centre by Council as a 1988 Bicentennial project.
Bookings for the library history session are essential and can be made online at loganlibraries.org
