The welcome mat will be laid out in a very big way in Peterborough this Saturday (Sept. 30) when, for the fifth year, Doors Open Peterborough will be held.
“Doors Open Peterborough celebrates our unique heritage, and gives citizens and visitors a chance to peek behind the scenes in places they might not otherwise get to go,” notes Ken Doherty, Peterborough’s director of community services.
At each of the 19 locations, tours, displays and activities will highlight not only the history of the site but also the activities now carried on.
On Monday, Doors Open Peterborough organizers, along with representatives of several of the host locations, gathered at historic Sadleir House on George Street North to formally introduce this year’s program.
“Protecting our heritage is central to our way of life,” noted Dr. Symons, adding Peterborough is “in the lead” when it comes to designating and protecting buildings of historical significance.
• Queen Alexandra Community Centre, 180 Barnardo Ave. Built by A. Rutherford and named in honour of the wife of King Edward VII. Building is now home to the Activity Haven Senior Centre.
• Bonner-Worth Mill, 526 McDonnel St. Operated as a woolen mill from 1911 to 1956, building was the site of violent textile workers’ strike in 1937. Was the first campus of Sir Sandford Fleming College.
• Burnham Mansion, 2235 Keene Rd. Built for Zaccheus Burnham Jr., son of Reverend Mark Burnham, the property was passed on to Zaccheus’ son Mark after he was killed by a bull in 1913. Building re-opened under new ownership as Burnham Mansion in 2005.
• Canadian Canoe Museum, 910 Monaghan Rd. Open as North America’s only canoe museum in 1997, property was once home to Evinrude. Now features more than 600 canoes and kayaks.
• Carnegie Wing, City Hall, 500 George St. N. Recently renovated, building was one of 125 libraries built with funds from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
• Eastland House, 273 Hunter St. W. Built in 1848, building is one of Peterborough’s oldest remaining stone houses. Restored in 2005 and now home to Brian Mulligan Insurance Company, Sir Winston Churchill stayed there during his 1901 visit to North America.
• Grace United Church, 581 Howden St. Consecrated in 1954, architect E.B. Zeidler aimed to create an ecclesiastical building suitable to the modern age.
• Knox United Church, 400 Wolfe St. Church hall built in 1902 by St. Paul’s Presbyterian as a mission church. Separated from St. Paul’s in 1906, congregation built a new church just to the east.
• Murray Street Baptist Church, 175 Murray St. Built in 1911 for $62,072, church officially opened the following year. It was designed by Edmund Burke of Toronto and F. Bartlett of Peterborough.
• Sadleir House, 751 George St. N. Built in 1892 for industrialist James Kendry, building is an example of Queen Anne architecture. Later owned by politician James Stratton and contractor Richard Sheehy. Trent University bought the building in 1963.
• Showplace Peterborough, 290 George St. N. Formerly the Odeon Theatre, building is now home to professional performing arts facility with seating for 647.
• St. Andrew’s United Church, 441 Rubidge St. Peterborough’s first Scottish church was built in 1886, replacing the original 1836 building. One of the first churches in the city with electric lights.
• St. Giles’ Presbyterian Church, 785 Park St. S. Designed by architect Eberhard Zeidler in 1952, church was built for $70,000. Spun off from St. Paul’s to serve the needs of south Peterborough.
• St James’ United Church, 221 Romaine St. Worship at St. James’ Methodist Church began in a tent in 1908. Wesley Hall, the first building, was begun that same year. The present sanctuary was donated by Charlotte Street Methodist, dismantled, moved and rebuilt here in 1915. It became a United church in 1925.
• Trent Radio, 715 George St. N. Ontario Gothic brick cottage appears in a map of Peterborough dated 1875. Trent Radio began in 1969 and was granted a broadcast licence in 1984.
• Trinity United Church, 360 Reid St. Dedicated in 1916, church replaced a smaller Methodist church at Charlotte and Reid streets. Cost almost $78,000 to build and furnish.
For more information about Doors Open Peterborough and what’s being featured at each location, visit www.doorsopenpeterborough.on.ca and click on Peterborough.
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