The Ontario Heritage Trust works with communities across the province to open the doors, gates and courtyards of their unique and most fascinating cultural sites so you can explore the stories inside. Every April to October, many of Ontario's heritage treasures are opened to the public with free events across the province.
Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake provided access to several places not usually open to the public.
Clare's Harley-Davidson of Niagara has motorcycles on display. Throughout this store are architectural touches with reclaimed and re-purposed materials.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Simcoe Street is a splendid example of Greek Revival architecture. The church's interior, classically Georgian in design, has the original high pulpit and box pews. I had read about box pews, but this was my first experience to be inside a church to see them. It was also my first time to see a high pulpit.
St. Mark's Anglican Church on Byron Street has the finest collection of stained glass in Ontario.
The Niagara Pumphouse has been converted into an Arts Centre. Time did not permit us to go inside.
The Niagara District Court House is significant for its association with the development of the judicial system and the functioning of courthouses and local governments in the Province of Ontario. This three-storey structure was built by Garvie and Co. from 1846-1848. It is in the Neo-Classical architectural style. The courthouse is distinguished by the projecting frontispiece and a heavily bracketed cornice and pediment.
The Exchange Brewery on Queen Street was the first telephone exchange building in the Niagara region. The Exchange is a new premium brewery and tasting room. Exceptional craft beers are made using high quality ingredients.
The Niagara Apothecary is an authentic museum restoration of an 1869 pharmacy. All the pharmacist-owners during the history of the practice from 1818 to 1964 contributed to the health needs of the citizens and to the community. Interesting research followed our visit to learn when certain drugs were created, when scientific advancements occurred and to fit them into the history of our country.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum at 43 Castlereagh Street inspires an appreciation of local history through engaging programs and exhibitions. A poster explaining Indigenous History was prominently displayed.
255 King Street - c. 1818 - Harrogate House Inn - is a warm and welcoming bed and breakfast; it was festively decorated in flags in honor of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Shaw Festival Theatre has a seating of 856 seats. Plans changed and the theatre was only open until 1:00 instead of the advertised 4:00. I was disappointed as I had looked forward to going inside the theatre.
The former country home of lawyer Samuel E. Weir, RiverBrink opened to the public in 1983 as a fine art museum with exhibitions of historical and contemporary art. Samuel Weir was an avid collector of fine and decorative arts, rare books, and historical documents. We enjoyed the bronze sculptures by Marc-Aurele de Foy Suzor-Coté.
Willowbank is in the village of Queenston, halfway between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. This Greek Revival stone mansion is an elegant example of the great rural estates of early nineteenth century Upper Canada. It has been repurposed as the School of Restoration Arts. Unfortunately, the advertised closing of 4:00 was not adhered to and many people were disappointed to find it closed.
That left us time to visit Queenston Heights to see Brock's Monument as well as the Indigenous living memorial Landscape of Naitons.
For more pictures in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake please see my three photo books Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario Book 1 (Book 2 and Book 3) in Colour Photos, Saving Our History One Photo at a Time. http: //barbararaue.ca