Our Heritage
History of The Refectory
1928 – Today
1928
In this black and white image from 1928. The Refectory Building at Massey Agricultural College is taking shape. Although the walls themselves have yet to be built, a great many steel-reinforced concrete supporting beams and pillars have been erected on both the lower and upper floor.
1930
A black and white photograph of the Refectory at Massey Agricultural College, taken soon after the building was completed in 1930.
1940
A black and white photograph from the 1940’s, showing the Refectory Building at Massey Agricultural College. Note how much of the building’s exterior now appears to be covered with ivy.
1950
A black and white photograph of the Refectory Building at Massey Agricultural College, dating from around the 1950s, when most of the ivy covering the walls of the building had been removed.
1950s–60s
Students on their way to lunch at the Refectory.
1978
By the late 1970s the Refectory had well-matured into its environment. At this stage it was occupied by University departments such as the Business Computer Systems Research Centre and Student Welfare Services.
1982
A black and white photograph of the Refectory Building at Massey University in 1982.
In this view, the ivy growing on the walls has once again been cleared away and the building had been refurbished, to the extent that one can even see the building’s name ‘Refectory’ written above the front entrance.
1993
A black and white photograph, taken in 1993, showing the Massey University Refectory Building with scaffolding erected all around it and public access to it blocked off. The building was undergoing an extensive refurbishment and refit at this time.
2024
Today The Refectory stands proudly in the original Massey University location having been extensively refurbished to what is now a premier function and event facility.
