A tourist information centre is set to mark 90 years of welcoming visitors and serving its community next week.
Swanage Information Centre first opened its doors on June 10, 1936, and will celebrate its milestone 90th anniversary with a week of events from June 6 to June 14.
The White House, its home on Shore Road since opening, is believed to be the longest-serving visitor information centre in the UK to operate from its original premises.
Councillor Chris Tomes, Swanage Mayor, said: "For 90 years, the Swanage Information Centre has provided a warm welcome to visitors from across the UK and beyond.
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"It is a cornerstone of our community and tourism economy, and we are incredibly proud of the high quality service it continues to provide to both visitors and residents across the town."
The 90th anniversary celebrations will include bunting and historical displays, with the highlight being a special gathering for former staff on June 10.
Former employees dating back to 1982 are already planning to attend.
The centre, housed in the 18th-century White House overlooking Swanage Bay, was originally opened by Swanage Urban District Council to support the growing tourism sector and assist visitors to the town.
During the Second World War, the building served multiple community roles, including as an Air Raid Precautions centre, Home Guard headquarters, air raid shelter, and wartime Citizens Advice Bureau.
It returned to its role as a visitor hub following the war, evolving into the Tourist Information Centre in the 1970s.
In the early 2000s, the future of the Centre was questioned due to financial pressures and changing visitor habits.
However, Swanage Town Council chose to invest in the future of the service.
It has since earned gold awards at the Dorset Tourism Awards and the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards.
The anniversary also aims to honour the dedication of the staff who have shaped the centre’s success over the decades.
As preparations for the anniversary continue, Swanage Town Council is appealing for memories, photographs, and stories related to the Information Centre and the White House.
Anyone with historical information or former staff members are encouraged to contact the Swanage Information Centre.
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