Save the date for Doors Open Aurora 2016

July 13, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Healy
Town of Aurora

The Town of Aurora and the Town’s Heritage Advisory Committee are preparing once again for our popular Doors Open Aurora event.

This year, Doors Open Aurora features fourteen sites, including a new location and a new walking tour.

The 11th annual Doors Open Aurora event will take place on Saturday, August 20 with most sites open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore fascinating sites in your own backyard. Participation is free! No tickets or reservations are required.

Come out and join thousands of visitors exploring Aurora’s hidden treasures, some of which are not normally open to the public.

Discover historic buildings, cultural landmarks and natural sites.

Join the fun, ask questions, take part in an educational walking tour and provide your children with a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Aurora.

Doors Open Aurora is part of the Doors Open Ontario initiative, a community-based celebration that showcases Ontario’s built and natural heritage for residents and visitors alike.

The first Doors Open Day event was held in France in 1984. In 2000, the City of Toronto launched the first Doors Open event in North America. In 2002, Doors Open Ontario, the first province-wide event of its kind in Canada was launched by the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Doors Open Aurora began in 2006. Since then, hundreds of sites of significant historical character have opened their doors and hosted more than 23,300 site visits.

Start your Doors Open experience in Aurora at the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair located on Wells Street at Aurora Town Park. Enjoy locally-produced seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, handmade jewellery and other crafts. Come early and visit the Doors Open Aurora headquarters to pick-up your Doors Open Aurora map guide.

Don’t miss the chance to see the newly-restored Vic’s Shoe Repair and this year’s new site, the Patrick House Art Studio & Gallery.

The Patrick House, constructed in the Georgian cottage architectural style, was the former home of famed architect John Bowser. Today, the house serves as an art gallery for local artisans and painters. During Doors Open Aurora, the site will have artwork displays and demonstrations.

This year, there will be two walking tours – the new Cultural Precinct tour led by the Town’s Curator, Shawna White, and the Block 11 Aurora’s Haunted Precinct Walking Tour led by David Heard. Both walking tours will provide insight into the cultural precinct and history of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Doors Open Aurora favourites, including the Aurora Cultural Centre, the Aurora Public Library and Hillary House are back again! Be sure to visit the Aurora Cultural Centre, constructed circa 1885 in the late Victorian architectural style, which served as the former Church Street School. During the Doors Open Aurora event, the site will feature a variety of family friendly events. Hillary House, Aurora’s national historic site, noted for its long-standing presence in the community and association with medical history, will also have its doors open to the public.

The Aurora Rising Sun Masonic Lodge, Trinity Anglican Church, Merlin’s Hollow and the Aurora Armoury are also part of this year’s event.

This is the first of a series of articles that will be published in The Auroran.

Each article will feature participating sites, activities and historical information.

For more information about Doors Open Aurora, or to volunteer for the event, please visit www.aurora.ca/doorsopen.

Mark your calendars and we will see you in August!