Community Arts & Cultural Centre
Thompson House
A gracious 1920s heritage home in Levin, New Zealand — the heart of community arts, culture, and creativity in the Horowhenua.
A Home for Arts & Community
Situated on Kent Street in Levin, just east of Oxford Street, Thompson House is one of the Horowhenua's finest cultural venues. This gracious home, set in award-winning gardens, dates from the 1920s and serves as the hub of community activities — cultural, artistic, educational, and social.
Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre Inc. was established in 1974 through the joint initiatives of the Levin Borough Council and a steering committee of citizens from many societies and clubs. The Council presented Dr Jim Thompson's former home and surgery to the people of Levin as a cultural, crafts and arts centre.
Today, Thompson House provides the Horowhenua with a unique venue for the presentation of visual and performing arts and crafts, hobby groups, and meetings. Many different groups meet regularly, and the house is open to all members of the community.
1920s
Heritage Built
5
Hireable Spaces
The Story of Thompson House
Thompson House began as a gracious family home and medical practice before becoming one of Levin’s most treasured community arts and cultural venues. Its story connects the Gow and Thompson families, Levin’s growth as a service town, wartime hospitality, local arts, and decades of volunteer care.
1921
House completed
1974
Cultural centre established
1985
Historic place listing
Historical Impression: Thompson House in the 1920s
A sepia interpretation of how the house and gardens may have looked during a 1920s gathering. This is not a historical photograph.
Family House
From the Gow Family Home to the Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre
Family House
From the Gow Family Home to the Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre
The People of Thompson House
Dr John Gow
Doctor, veteran and founder
Following service as a Captain in the Medical Corps during World War I, Dr John Gow settled in Levin and planned a new family home and medical practice that would later become Thompson House.
Thompson House Heritage Collection
Hidden Stories
Small Details That Bring History to Life
Before Levin had electricity
At a time when Levin had no public electricity supply, Thompson House generated its own power using a Delco generator near the stables.
Wartime hospitality
During World War II, the house became a centre of hospitality for RNZAF airmen stationed at Weraroa and officers of the 2nd US Marine Division.
Gardens and native trees
Many of the native trees around the property were collected from local bush areas by Dr Gow as part of the original landscape design.
A family connected to Levin
Members of the Gow family continued to live in Levin after the property was sold, and descendants may still have connections to the district today.
“Thompson House reflects the growth of Levin, the service of local doctors, the changing role of women in medicine, and decades of community commitment to arts, crafts and culture.”
Timeline
Levin and Thompson House through time
Timeline
Levin and Thompson House through time
Railway Reaches Levin
The Wellington–Manawatū railway opens through the district, helping shape Levin into a service town for surrounding farms. The railway corridor and station area remains one of the clearest links between modern Levin and the town’s early growth.
Levin Township Is Laid Out
The Levin township is surveyed as settlement expands across the district. The new town develops on Muaūpoko land, with the railway helping to shape its layout and future growth.
Levin Becomes a Borough
Levin is officially incorporated as a borough, marking a new stage of civic development for the growing Horowhenua service town.
Land Purchased for a New Home
Dr John Graham Gow OBE and his wife Dr Alice Marianne “Maysie” Gow purchase land for a new house in Levin.
Construction Contract Signed
The construction contract is signed on 9 February 1920. The house is designed by notable architects Frederick de Jersey Clere and Llewellyn Edwin Williams.
The House Is Built
The house is built by Mr J Harvey of the local company Harvey & Co. It is a two-storeyed, multi-gabled English Cottage style building with dormers, steeply pitched roofs, two chimneys, a gabled porch, and former stables to the south-east.
Levin Fire Station Opens
A new fire station is built on Oxford Street, replacing the original 1902 station and serving the needs of the growing community.
Levin War Memorial Unveiled
The Levin Stone of Remembrance is unveiled in the public gardens beside Thompson House to honour local men who died in the First World War.
Dr Thompson Arrives in Levin
Dr Samuel James “Jim” Thompson arrives in Levin and begins practising with Dr Gow.
Dr Thompson Purchases the House
Dr Thompson purchases the house and medical practice. The property becomes both his family home and the base for his medical work in Levin.
Railway Houses Built on Keepa Street
Former railway staff houses are built near the station area, reflecting the importance of the rail corridor to Levin’s early twentieth-century development.
Horowhenua Market Gardens Flourish
The sandy flats south of Levin become an important vegetable-growing area, supplying Wellington by rail and helping define the district’s economy.
RNZAF Becomes Independent
The Royal New Zealand Air Force becomes an independent service, separating from army control after years of development.
New Zealand Enters WWII
New Zealand declares war on Germany on 3 September. Communities like Levin prepare for the war effort.
Wartime Hospitality
The home becomes an entertainment centre for RNZAF airmen at Weraroa and officers of the 2nd US Marine Division. Dr Thompson also serves as station medical officer for the RNZAF training wing at Weraroa.
US Marines in New Zealand
American forces arrive in New Zealand as the Pacific War intensifies, with the wider Wellington region becoming part of that wartime presence.
Levin’s Golden Jubilee
Levin celebrates 50 years as a borough, marking half a century of growth and community development.
Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre Established
Following Dr Thompson’s sudden death, the house is purchased by the Levin Borough Council and named Thompson Memorial Cultural Centre. It becomes a community arts, crafts and cultural venue.
A Community Asset Takes Shape
Local people support the transformation of the former home into a cultural centre, with strong involvement from the Thompson family and community groups.
Category 2 Historic Place
Thompson House is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place, recognising its heritage value and importance to the community.
Horowhenua District Formed
Horowhenua District Council is formed through the amalgamation of several councils, including Levin Borough Council.
War Memorial Upgraded
The cenotaph surrounds are significantly upgraded with adjoining walls, additional names and conflicts recorded, and the illuminated poppy boxes that are now part of the memorial setting.
Major Building Upgrade
The building undergoes a major upgrade, including earthquake strengthening, reinforcing work, regulatory compliance improvements, and interior refurbishments.
A Living Heritage
Thompson House continues as a community-owned cultural venue, hosting exhibitions, workshops, meetings, arts events, craft groups, book launches, market days, and community gatherings.
What Still Connects Modern Levin to the Past
Thompson House, the war memorial, the railway corridor, the station area, and the wider town layout remain among the strongest visible links to Levin’s early twentieth-century story.
Hire a Room
Thompson House offers four versatile spaces available at modest cost. A kitchen is available at no extra charge. The beautiful grounds are also popular for wedding photos.
Room 1
Our largest ground-floor room, ideal for meetings, workshops, seminars, and community events.
- Tables & chairs
- Natural lighting
- Flexible layout
Room 2
A warm, mid-sized space perfect for smaller group meetings, craft sessions, and committee gatherings.
- Comfortable seating
- Warm atmosphere
- Wall display space
Room 3 and Room 4
An intimate space ideal for small meetings, one-on-one sessions, or private consultations.
- Quiet setting
- Cosy atmosphere
- Private space
Upstairs Gallery
A beautiful gallery space with excellent natural light, perfect for art exhibitions, photography displays, and special events.
- Exhibition-ready walls
- Natural light
- Heritage character
Ready to Book?
Contact our receptionist to check availability and make a booking. Rooms are available at modest rates, with a kitchen included at no extra cost.
What Happens Here
Thompson House is alive with creativity and community spirit year-round. From exhibitions and workshops to book launches and market days, there is always something happening.
Arts & Exhibitions
Crafts & Hobbies
Literary Events
Photography
Performing Arts
Community Gatherings
Gallery & Exhibition Space
Our Committee
Thompson House is run by an elected body of volunteers who generously donate their time to the operations and finance of the house. The Horowhenua District Council provides ongoing support and maintains the award-winning gardens.
Annual General Meeting
The committee is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting, held on the 2nd Tuesday of April. The AGM will be advertised on this website. Everyone is welcome to attend and consider becoming a member of the committee.
Members only need to meet for approximately an hour a month for 11 months to help ensure Thompson House provides the best quality of service for the community.
Get in Touch
Visit Us
4 Kent Street, Levin 5510
New Zealand
Reception Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm