Thompson Memorial Culture Centre celebrates 50 years in Levin

Shirley Welch and Diane Means cut the Thompson Memorial Culture Centre anniversary cake.

The Thompson Memorial Culture Centre has turned 50.

On Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, celebrations took place at Thompson House to celebrate.

The house was originally owned by Dr John Graham Gow and his wife Dr Alice Marianne (Maysie) Gow.

In 1926 Dr Samuel James Thompson purchased the property.

The category two historic building is still named after him and his work for the Levin community. He was the president of the Manawatū Hunt Club and the Levin Racing Club. He also served during WWII as the station medical officer for the RNZAF training wing at Weraroa.

His wife, Ella, was a founding member of the Levin Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Following Dr Thompson’s death, the house was purchased by the Levin Borough Council and named The Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre.

Since then, the venue has been used as a creative hub by different community organisations.

To celebrate the milestone, there were displays, live entertainment from the Levin Brass Band ensemble and the Horowhenua Pipes and Drums and different activities and tours of the house.

Committee member Kevin Miles said the weekend went well.

“We had a large representation of descendants of Dr Thompson and his wife Ella, some travelling a considerable distance to attend. The displays of the history of the house and the Thompson and Gow families were well received as well as the history of the house. Diane Means put together a wonderful display of memorabilia.”