This weekend, folks can check out some of St. Catharines, Ont.,’s most famous buildings and neighborhoods during the Doors Open event, which showcases historic spots and communities.
On Saturday, 19 sites will welcome visitors for free tours.
The city doesn’t hold Doors Open events every year; they usually happen for special occasions, like Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2022 and the Canada Summer Games that took place in Niagara that same year, explained Kathleen Powell, supervisor of historical services and curator with the city.
According to St. Catharines city councillor Robin Mc Pherson, this year’s Doors Open event aligns with the city’s celebration of its 150th birthday throughout the year.
“Since January the city has been reflecting on our shared history, our shared achievements, and the people and places that have helped shape the community,” she said at a media preview of the event this week.
“Doors Open is an amazing opportunity to bring more of those stories to life. Some locations… are rarely open to the public.”
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St. Catharines city councillor Robin Mc Pherson is shown on June 9 at a tour of Rhythm Automotive Canada, one of the 19 locations on this year’s Doors Open St. Catharines schedule. (Paul Forsyth/CBC)
All locations and tours are free; most sites will be open from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Some locations have limited capacity and require pre-registration while hours may vary.
This year’s event features five unique participating sites:
The Decew Falls Water Treatment Plant at 2700 Decew Rd. This historic plant has been treating drinking water since 1876. It’s Niagara’s largest water treatment facility capable of processing up to 227 million litres per day using a gravity-fed distribution system that’s quite different from others in Ontario. Pre-registered tours will be available for one hour at 11 a. m., 1 p. m., and 3 p. m. Ontario Power Generation’s De Cew Generating Station No. 1. Established in 1898, it’s Canada’s oldest continuously operating hydroelectric power station. Hourly pre-registered tours will run from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m., with parking available at Joseph L. Mc Caffery Sports Park located at 61 Vansickle Rd., along with complimentary shuttle service from 9:45 a. m. to4:00 p. m. The Brown Homestead at 1317 Pelham Rd offers self-guided tours of this homestead founded by United Empire Loyalists back in the late 1780s which has been family-run as a farm for nearly two centuries. Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church located at92 Geneva St., will feature self-guided tours as well as a tour talk scheduled from noon until1 p. m. The church was established in1855and famously served Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman as she guided many seeking freedom into St. Catharines during slavery. Niagara Memorial Masonic Temple Association situatedat23 Centre St. will host self-guided tours within what began as St. George’s Ward Primary School built in1891and later renamed Court Street Schoolin1927. It educated generations before closing its doorsin1952and now houses both Niagara Conservatoryof Musicand several Masonic lodges.
To see all participating locations visitthe city’s Doors Open program.
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5 must-see spots: from Salem Chapel to water treatment plant
The Ontario Heritage Trust states that Doors Open events celebrate local identity, encourage volunteerism, spark interest in Ontario’s heritage, and promote cultural tourism and economic development opportunities.Source link
