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In 1934 the Parliamentary Press Gallery opened the exhibition ‘Parliament Houses of the Empire’. This brought images of parliament buildings from across the world to the Palace of Westminster. It was opened by then Speaker of the House of Commons, Edward Fitzroy and created by previous chairman of the Press Gallery, Sir Emsley Carr. To celebrate Commonwealth Day 2022, these historic images are brought together again in this online exhibition.

Parliament Buildings in 1934

These historic images capture parliament buildings from countries around the world in 1934. Many of these countries and cities have since changed their names. There are several countries with multiple buildings represented in the set.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons said;

Within my own Parliament building I see a vast community of people working together under one roof. I know that this display of Parliament buildings not only shows off brilliant architecture from around the world, it also represents the people who work each day towards our shared goals across the Commonwealth and the globe.

Click an image to start.

  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large, grand building, taken from a slightly elevated position. The building has a long flat façade with many arches along its ground floor. There are two entranceways either side of the central arches which are flanked with pillars and topped with a pediment. The building is two stories high, and has several chimneys and a dark pitched roof. The main facade of the building is light. There is a wide road in front of the building, with various shrubs and trees.
    The Houses of Parliament in Perth, Western Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 1939
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large grand building, taken from one corner. The building is ornately decorated with high pillars and carving along the top of the building's façade. To the left of the photograph we can see one end of the building with many large arched windows and pillars. The longer front of the building has a huge, wide flight of steps leading up to it. There are lampposts with three globe shaped housings on each post in front of the building.
    Victoria Government Building in Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 1941
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a series of buildings, which are led to by a series of paths and roads and set amongst lawns with various shrubs. The buildings are pale stone with many rectangular windows, and all similar looking. They have low flat roofs. Two roofs have tall flagpoles, and two other roofs further in the distance have smaller towers or chimneys emerging from the roof. The sky above is cloudy, and there is a large hill in the background to the left of the composition.
    The Houses of Parliament in Canberra, Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4357
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a large, grand building. Outside are several tall palm trees partially obscuring the view of the building. It is three storeys high with many arched windows, decorative stonework at the corners, and a steep roof with decorative stonework around the edging. Another roof seen emerging from behind a tree is like a squared dome, with a flat top and a flagpole emerging from the top. Both roofs have decorative railing at the top. The front of the building has railings and a roadway.
    The Houses of Parliament, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4540
  • A historic greyscale photograph of some buildings taken from across a road. The building are all two storeys high. The central building in the image is photographed from its corner, and has two stories of verandas along one face, and windows along the other. Another building towards the right of the image also has two stories of verandas comprising its facade. To the left of the image is another building with rectangular windows. There is a whitewashed long wall and some iron railings outside the buildings. Some figures are walking by along the pedestrian path. A powerline runs down the road, and a decorative streetlamp is outside.
    The State Parliament House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4553
  • A historic photograph in greyscale depicting a two-storey building. The centre of the building has 5 arches along the ground floor, and decorative carving at roof level. The building is wide, with windows along the length. In the foreground are beds with shrubs and flowers, and a short set of stone steps leading to the building.
    The Parliament House in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4605
  • A historic photograph in greyscale of two buildings. The foreground shows several 1930's cars parked outside. The building to the left of the photograph is two storeys with decorative stonework and a clock protruding at 90 degrees from the second floor. The building to the right is a larger stone building with 4 large columns flanking its entranceway, and two sweeping set of steps leading up to them. The larger building has arched windows, further pillars embedded into the façade, and a flat roof decorated with 4 large urn-like objects.
    South Australia Government Building, Adelaide, Australia. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4606
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a building and a town centre. In the foreground, many people are walking, and two horses with carts are passing by. There are some large trees in the centre of the photograph. To the left, a brick building with a curved side and two towers. The most prominent tower is square with clockfaces and a tall flagpole. A second tower, behind the first, has a cone shaped roof. To the right of the central trees, another curved brick building can be seen. In the left-hand foreground is a structure that may be a crane.
    The Public Buildings, Bridgetown, Barbados. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4549
  • A pen and ink greyscale drawing of a large building as seen from across a body of water. In the foreground is a steamboat on the water with a large trail of steam leading up to the sky, and another smaller boat nearby. There is a land mass which is covered in vegetation, and atop this land is a grand building. The central part is rounded with multiple spires, in a gothic architectural style. Behind this is the main building which has 4 smaller square towers, and one large central square tower with a steep roof. Behind the main building, some other buildings can be seen which also feature some towers and spires. The sky is cloudy. The artist has used mark making throughout on top of ink wash to create different textures to the water, sky, and vegetation.
    The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Canada. Ink wash drawing by Charles W Simpson. WOA 4358
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a large building. The front of the building has wide stone steps leading to six columns topped with a wide pediment. There is a coat of arms carved in stone in the middle of the pediment. Either side of the stone steps is a cannon. The building has two chimneys and a tall flagpole emerging from its roof, and there are trees framing the photograph.
    The Parliamentary Buildings in St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4359
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large building, taken from one side. The centre of the building is dominated by a very large dome with windows and a balcony around it. The main body of the building is an ‘L’ shape from this vantage point, and includes pillars and many windows. Another smaller circular domed roof sites over another part of the building, with a large spike coming out of the top. In the foreground are flowerbeds, a lawn, and a curved path. The shrubs partially obscure the view of the rest of the building.
    Alberta Legislative Building in Edmonton, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4533
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a three-story building, taken from one corner of the building. The front of the building has several pillars and a pediment. On both sides of the building that we can see, there are many windows on each floor. There is one rectangular chimney emerging from the pitched roof, and other decorative pediments around the top of the building. The building is surrounded by winter trees, and iron railings.
    The Legislative Building in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4534
  • Historic photograph of a grand building situated on a river. Between the river and the building is a lawn with trees and a statue. The building is symmetrical with a tall central dome and large arched doorway. There are many rectangular and arched windows across the facade, and small domed towers at the corners of the building. To the left of the image is a tall flagpole. The image is in greyscale, but also appears slightly blue as if it was developed incorrectly.
    The Legislative Building in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4539
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a building taken from across a large body of calm water. The building is grand, and light in colour. It has a large central tower topped with a dark coloured dome. It is set amongst many trees.
    The Legislative Building in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4541
  • Historic photograph of a grand building, taken from an elevated position. The building faces onto lawns with flowerbeds and trees. The centre of the building is a large square shape with a tall, pitched roof and small towers at each corner. The building has a wing going off to the left and right which are symmetrical, and comprise of many windows, and a taller section at the end. The main central building has some circular windows, and some arches built into the stonework. There are two statues in the grounds in front of the building.
    The Legislative Building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4546
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a large, grand building. The image is taken from a lawn looking up at the building, which has a large statue in front of it. The building is symmetrical with a tall central square tower. The main part of the building is four storeys high. There are many windows, and at either side of the facade, a shorter tower. Each of the towers is topped with a flagpole. There are flowerbeds and tall shrubs in the grounds outside, and ivy growing on a part of the ground floor level.
    The Legislative Building, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4602
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a large building. The centre of the building has 4 large columns and a pediment in front of its second and third floors, and stone arches on its ground floor level. There are rectangular windows across the symmetrical building, and it is made up of large blocks of cut stone. There are two chimneys protruding the from the roof. In the foreground is a pond with a stone edging which is surrounded by low railings. There is a 1930's car parked outside the building, and some benches on a circle of lawn outside the front.
    The Legislative Building in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4608
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a building. The building comprises 4 evenly spaced triangular gables along the façade. Beneath these is a row of arches reaching all along its length. The building is partially obscured by a wide row of trees and shrubs along the length of the facade.
    The Secretariat, Accra, Ghana, (previously known as Gold Coast). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4548
  • Greyscale historic photograph of a building. The main part of the building has arches along its ground floor, and its second-floor features columns topped with a carved stone pediment. The building comes around at an angle, and it appears that the photograph was taken from the balcony of one end of the building, and that the layout overall is a 'U' shape. The wing of the building also has arches at the ground floor and pillars on the second floor. Outside is a driveway, a flowerbed and two objects flanking the main entrance which may be canons.
    The Public Buildings and late Court of Policy Hall, Georgetown, Guyana (previously known as British Guiana). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4543
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large building. The building is three storeys and has a flat, white façade. There are many windows, and a small 4th story room at the centre of the building which protrudes at roof level. There is a flagpole emerging from the roof, and some awnings shading the windows on the ground floor. In the foreground is a lawn, and there are 3 large trees in front of the building. There are a couple of 1930’s cars parked outside.
    The building in which the Legislative Council of the Colony met, Victoria, Hong Kong. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4536
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large building, taken straight on facing the façade. The centre of the building has a large arched doorway, with large windows either side. In each corner of the building there is a small tower. In front of the building are flowerbeds, a large driveway and lawns. The photograph is slightly over exposed, giving it high contrast between the stonework and dark windows.
    The Legislative Council Building in Patna, Bihar (previously known as Bihar and Orissa), India. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4349.
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large, grand symmetrical building, taken straight on. The centre of the building comprises of several stories decorated with arches and topped with a carved pediment. The wings of the building are each home to two small towers, and the facade overall is home to many arches which appear striped as different coloured stone has been used. There are trees obscuring the full view of the building, and a road running in front of it.
    The Legislative Council Building in Mumbai (previously known as Bombay), India. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4351
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a very large circular building taken from a slight aerial angle. The outside of the building has tall columns going all the way around, and it is set among lawns with some shrubs and trees. The entranceway has a porch with a flat roof protruding from the main circular shape. In the centre of the building, a dome roof appears. Behind the building we can see a city, with many white buildings and trees.
    The Council House in New Delhi, India. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4356
  • Historic greyscale photograph taken from a high aerial vantage point. In the left of the view is a large building with a central dome, and several wings giving it almost an 'H' shape footprint. It is set amongst lawns and laid out beds. Towards the right and background of the image are many more buildings making up a town or city, laid out in blocks with roads between. There is a river in the background with several large boats. There are trees and a park in the bottom right foreground of the image.
    The Council House in Kolkata (also known as Calcutta), West Bengal, India. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4535
  • Greyscale historic photograph of a large, grand stone building, taken from one side. The centre of the building has a large domed roof, and there are a series arches and pillars creating a porch at the centre front of the building. The building is curved, with the wings of the building two stories high. They each have many arched windows and a large arched entranceway. In front of the building are paths and lawns.
    The Council House, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (previously the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh), India. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 1938.
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a building, taken from an angle. There is a wide path leading up to the building, flanked by lawns and various shrubs. The building had pillars along its ground floor, and arches along its upper floor. There is some decorative stonework using darker and lighter stone, creating a striped effect. There is a flagpole emerging from the centre of the roof. There is a flat porch protruding from the main entrance.
    The Legislative Council Building in Nagpur, Maharashtra, (previously known as Central Provinces and Berar), India. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4545
  • Ink wash drawing of a three-storey building. The drawing is delicate with careful ink shading. The façade of the building has a central pediment with 4 pillars and a balcony on the second floor, and a doorway at the ground floor. Either side are several windows on each floor. The roof has a large flagpole at its centre, and a chimney at either side. To the right-hand side there is an extension to the building and a lamppost. In the foreground and obscuring most of this extension to the building are several columns forming a circular structure such as a portico. A figure walks towards the door of the main building, and two figures are stood in coversation towards the left of the composition, next to a lawn and some shrubs. In the bottom right a signature reads "Sean Mac Manus '53".
    Leinster House, Dublin, Ireland. Ink wash drawing by Sean Mac Manus. WOA 4538
  • A greyscale historic photograph. The image looks down an idle towards a large conical marquee, set up upon stone steps. There are two rows of men in military uniforms flanking the isle, resting on their rifles. Underneath the large canopy we can see the figures of many more people. There are ropes and poles around the outside of the fabric marquee. In the left-hand side of the image, a British flag is flying on a flagpole.
    The Tynwald, seat of the Manx Parliament, Isle of Man. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4551
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a building. The building's front comprises of thin pillars on the ground floor, a second floor of windows shaded by individual awnings, and three triangular gables. One each triangular gable there is a circle detail. The building is surrounded by a stone and iron fence with an ornate gate. There is a tall pole in one corner of the fence with several ropes or cables coming down. The image is taken from a corner of the building, and there is a road running directly past.
    Headquarters House, Kingston, seat of the Legislature of Jamaica. WOA 4537
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large building, taken from across the road. Outside the building is a monolith, and a flagpole. The façade of the building includes some decorative stonework. At the centre, above the arched doorway, is a circular window with what looks like draped curtains carved into the stone. There is stonework creating the effect of horizonal striped columns, and several rectangular windows.
    The Legislative Council Building in Nairobi, Kenya. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4350
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a very large building. The centre of the building has tall columns topped with a carved pediment. There is a statue on top of the roof at the centre of the building, and two tall flagpoles either side. The symmetrical building is 4 storeys and has many windows alongside each floor. The foreground of the photograph features a bench and a path towards the building, with areas of lawn.
    The Houses of Parliament, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4556
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a large building. The building is laid out in a 'U' shape with a pitched roof, and many arches in the stonework along the ground floor. The upper floor has squared off windows all around. Outside the building are iron railings. There are two figures leaning against it, and a driveway. In the foreground is the fence for another building out of sight.
    The Public Offices, seat of the Legislative Council, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4607
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a building set amongst a lawn with plants and shrubs. At the centre of the building is a hexagonal brick tower with a castellated roof. To the left of this tower, the building has arches comprising its ground floor facade, and a straight balcony across the front of its second storey. To the right of the tower, there is a porch with pillars and a castellated roof which is the centre of the building. The right-hand side of the building mirrors the aches and balconies of the left. In the background we can see a second tower rising, and some more castellated roof. There are a couple of figures stood in the grounds outside the building.
    The Government Building in Malawi, (previously known as Nyasaland). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4552
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a building. The foreground shows a driveway with two 1930's cars parked on it which leads to the main building. It is two storeys with pitched roofs and a large flagpole at the centre of the building. To the left of the building, we can see two towers with steep conical roofs, and part of another tall grand building. The driveway is flanked by grass lawns and shrubs. There are also two tall palm trees in front of the main building.
    The Legislative Council Building, Yangon (previously known as Rangoon), Myanmar (previously known as Burma). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4609
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large building. In the foreground is a wide driveway and lawns with a tree. The main building has pillars across its façade, and a set of wide stone steps leading up to the main entrance. The stonework is laid giving the façade the appearance of horizonal stripes. Behind the main building is another smaller building with a squared tower.
    The Houses of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4360
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a large building. The building is three storeys high and has a large courtyard. The building is made of light-coloured stone with many windows along its second and third floor, and arches along the ground floor. There are some small figures in the courtyard.
    The Government Buildings, Singapore. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4554
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a large building set in front of an enormous cliff face. The building is several storeys tall, with columns and a pediment at its entranceway, led up to by wide stone steps. The image is taken from the corner angle, showing the setting with cliffs behind and trees in the foreground.
    The House of Assembly, Cape Town, South Africa. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4362
  • Historic photograph in greyscale of a grand building. The centre of the main façade of the building comprises two storeys of many pillars topped with a pediment. A very large, squared dome sits above this central part of the building. The top of the dome houses clockfaces and a statue at the very top. There is a flag waving from this part of the building. The main building is three storeys and comprises of many windows and a short tower at each corner. In front of the building are some large palm trees, and a stone wall. To the left of the photograph is a large wide flight of steps. In the foreground is a pond or fountain, and a pedestrian concourse. One woman walks by wearing a white dress and black hat. Another figure walks towards the steps.
    The Raadsaal in Pretoria, (previously part of the province of Transvaal), South Africa. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4547
  • Historic greyscale photo of a building. The building is a 'U' shape around a small courtyard, which is fronted by a stone wall, iron railings and a stone gate topped with a pediment. The main building is three storeys tall with a tall, pitched roof. The building has many windows with open shutters, and two doors onto the street. The image has been taken from across the road outside the building.
    The Provincial Council Building in Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4557
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a building. The left-hand side of the photograph shows a building with columns and a pediment for its façade, and a tall dome emerging from the roof. To the right of the image, another part of the building also has columns and a large pediment - this appears to be the main building. Outside is a statue on a pedestal, and a stone wall with iron railings. Two 1930's cars are on the road outside, and some figures are walking past on the path.
    The Provincial Council Building, Pietermaritzburg (also known as Maritzburg), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4544
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a grand building. The building has 6 large columns topped with a large carved pediment, and a short set of wide steps leading up to it. Behind this is a large, tall central dome. In the foreground are iron railings and some young trees. A couple of figures can be seen walking out away from the building.
    The Raadsaal, seat of the first Legislative Council, Bloemfontein, South Africa (previously part of the Orange Free State). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4604
  • Historic greyscale photograph of a large building, taken from an angle. The central part of the building has 6 tall columns, led up to by a wide flight of stone steps, and topped with a pediment. Beneath the steps is a squat archway. The pediment is decorated with carving which may be a coat of arms. More columns continue to wrap around the building. There is a tall flagpole emerging from the roof. In the foreground is some lawn and a driveway.
    The State Council Building, Colombo, Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4555
  • Greyscale historic photograph of three two-storey buildings. The central building has 4 large columns with a large pediment as its entryway. In front of it is a flowerbed and a white statue. The two buildings either side have windows and open shutters, with square pitched roofs. The foreground of the image shows a driveway leading to the buildings with two tall trees and some shrubs.
    Houses of Parliament in Nassau, The Bahamas. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4550
  • Greyscale historic photograph of a building. The image is taken from across the road at a corner angle, and the roadway appears wet as if it recently rained. The building is grand with many pillars and archways, and a large central aspect which is a storey taller than the rest, topped with a squared dome and decorative elements. The building has several trees and hedges outside. There are some figures walking past on the footpaths and one person crossing the road.
    The Red House, seat of the Legislative Council in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4542
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a building taken from one side. The two-storey building is long, and the façade comprises of pillars and balconies along the length of it on both storeys. The centre section of the building is one storey, and its entranceway is flanked by two palm trees. There is a tall flagpole emerging from the roof, and other trees around the building.
    The Legislative Council Building in Dar Es Sallam, Tanzania (previously known as Tanganyika). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4603
  • A historic greyscale photograph of a two-storey building with pitched roofs and balconies wrapping around the second storey. The front of the building has large rectangular windows either side of a central doorway with a decorative balcony above. There are some circular windows or decorative details on the triangular gables. A sapling tree is in the foreground of the photograph.
    The Legislative Assembly Buildings in Harare (previously known as Salisbury), Zimbabwe (previously known as Southern Rhodesia). Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4361
  • A historic photograph of a large building. The central part of the image is a tall square tower, several storeys high and with two clockfaces visible. The foreground of the image is trees which partially obscures the lower part of the building. There is another square tower, which is shorter and wider to the right-hand side of the photograph. The facade connecting the two towers has two storeys of arches running all the way across. There is a flagpole outside the front of the building.
    The Public Buildings in Hamilton, Bermuda. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 4342
  • A greyscale historic photograph of a building. The centre of the building has an arched entranceway, with pillars and a pediment above which features an embossed design. Either side of this central arrangement is a tall tower with 4 sides, topped with an octagonal stone structure and a domed roof. On top of one domed roof is a weathervane, and the square part of the tower has clocks set within it. The facade is a combination of brickwork and large light stonework.
    The Council Chamber in Lagos, Nigeria. Photograph by Unknown. Monochrome photographic print. WOA 1940

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