The building was designed by notable Ipswich architect, Henry Munro Cautley.

Construction began in February 1921, and was officially opened to the public on the 3rd September 1924.

[1] The site of the building, and some of the funding for its construction, was donated by Alderman William Paul.

The remaining funding was provided by the Carnegie Trust, who granted £22,500 towards construction in 1917.

[4] The building is a mixture of Tudor and Gothic revival architectural styles.