Positive Living For All
The Gathering Place is a nonprofit senior activity center in Milton, Wisconsin. People of all ages participate in activities, classes and programs, and receive services that enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement with each other and the community.
Marion Allen’s Vision
Marion Allen’s vision for the Milton community was to have a welcoming place in which folks could gather, and so began Milton’s senior center. Marion grew up in Georgia, but she embraced Milton as her home for over 50 years. In 1977, St. Mary Church in Milton hosted the first Golden Diners in Milton. Marion was one of the volunteers at the nutrition site. She realized that senior citizens needed to have a place of their own where they could have lunch and socialize.
Marion purchased land at 715 Campus Street on May 2, 1991, and hired architect Paul Dalberg and builders Ed an J.P. Hale to make her vision a reality. In addition to financing the project, Marion was involved in every aspect of the construction, even personally choosing all of the colors and furnishings for each room.
On October 4, 1992, the Gathering Place held its grand opening. For more than 30+ years since that day, local senior citizens have truly had a “place of their own,” thanks to this generous gift to the community from Marion Allen. In 2004 a video was produced which describes the history of The Gathering Place. We invite you to watch it below.