Leir House is open to the public year-round and rooms are available for rent for meetings, workshops and social occasions. The historical building is home to many arts organizations and several artist studios.
About Leir House
Leir House Cultural Centre is administered by the Arts Council and is home to the following groups:
- Penticton and District Community Arts Council: 250-492-7997
- Penticton Academy of Music: 250-493-7977
- Penticton Okanagan Symphony Society: Leighton McCarthy, 1-800-387-7879 or libplan.lpm@gmail.com
- Penticton Potters Guild: 250-492-7787
Construction of the Leir House began in 1927 under the supervision of Hugh Charles Leir. He kept the mill he owned running during the depression by setting his workers to the task of building a new family home. The walls of the house are solid 2x4's laid on end and it's one of the only stone-faced buildings in Penticton.
The Leir family grew to include 11 children. Mrs. Leir was known for organizing the first Teen Town in B.C. and Leir House was a gathering place for young people.
In 1951 the house was sold to the Penticton Regional Hospital and used as a nurses' residence. In 1979 the Penticton and District Community Arts Council advocated that the City of Penticton purchase Leir House as a Cultural Arts Centre.
In 1980 the Leir House Cultural Centre was officially opened with a gala reception attended by the public. Five of the 11 Leir children and many of their children and grandchildren were in attendance.
Leir House Cultural Centre is administered by the Penticton & District Community Arts Council.
Leir House Cultural Centre
220 Manor Park Avenue,
Penticton BC, V2A 2R2
Phone: 250-492-7997
Email: info@pentictonartscouncil.com