[1] Opening in 1971 in the Lower Hutt CBD,[2] The Dowse occupies a stand-alone building adjacent to other municipal facilities.

He was a firm believer in the principle of having physical, social, and cultural facilities in modern cities and he initiated a building phase in the city that saw the construction of landmark buildings such as the War Memorial Library, the Lower Hutt Town Hall, and the Ewen Bridge.

She teamed up with Elizabeth Harper from The Hutt Art Society, and the duo lobbied the City Council.

[5] Holdings include national figures such as Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Don Peebles and Gordon Walters[18] as well as locally connected, nationally significant, artists as Rangi Hetet,[2] Rangimārie Hetet,[19] Gordon Crook and Hariata Ropata-Tangahoe.

[20][21] The Dowse has a bust of Carmen Rupe by Paul Rayner[22][23] and significant collections of jewelry by Alan Preston.