Doors Open Ontario 2008 kicks off on April 26

April 15, 2008
For immediate release

TORONTO – Doors Open Ontario 2008 kicks off on April 26 with the first two events in Guelph and Norfolk County. With a record 54 events this year, more people than ever will have a chance to explore heritage buildings, architectural showpieces and community landmarks across Ontario.

Nine of the events in 2008 are new. Barrie, Brighton and Cramahe Township, Fergus, Gananoque, Loyalist Parkway (Prince Edward County and Lennox and Addington County), Norfolk County, Oakville, Oil Heritage District (Lambton County) and Whitby have all joined the program. Another highlight to watch for this season is the binational event in Niagara, featuring sites in both Ontario and Western New York.

"Nearly 2.5 million visits have been made to heritage sites during community events since Doors Open Ontario began in 2002," said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "With its broad appeal and involvement of countless organizations and individuals across the province, Doors Open is an example of the many ways to engage citizens in community conservation."

Each year, hundreds of historic buildings, natural spaces and heritage gardens – some of which are rarely accessible to the public – open for free as part of Doors Open Ontario. Many of the participating sites offer special activities, such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations. To find out more, pick up the free Doors Open Ontario 2008 Guide – listing each event along with a selection of participating community sites. The Guide will be distributed in the Ontario edition of The Globe and Mail this Thursday; it is also available by calling 1-800-ONTARIO (668-2746). For a complete list of participating sites ...

"Doors Open Ontario continues to be a popular event, attracting more visitors every year," said Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture. "Participating communities have an opportunity to showcase their unique heritage and benefit from a boost to their local economy."

As always, Doors Open Ontario offers a chance to discover a variety of historic sites and hidden treasures across the province. Some of the interesting sites to explore this year include: the Norman Dam, built in the 1890s, first used to control lake levels until the powerhouse was constructed years later (Kenora); the "Mud House," built in 1937 using the ancient pisé de terre or "rammed earth" method (King Township); Frank Lloyd Wright's Fontana Boathouse in Buffalo, completed in 2007 based on Wright's 1905 design (Niagara, New York); Baines Machine & Repair Works, a shop that still produces oil well parts as they were made in the late 1800s (Oil Heritage District); and the African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery in Otterville, one of the few preserved black pioneer burial grounds in the province (Oxford).

Doors Open Ontario is a program of the Ontario Heritage Trust. The Trust also coordinates Trails Open Ontario, with support from the Government of Ontario. Information on this year's expanded Trails Open Ontario program will be available soon at www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

Sponsors of Doors Open Ontario 2008 include: The Globe and Mail, Vale Inco, the Ministry of Culture, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and all the participating communities. This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund – a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage for present and future generations.

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Contact:

Catrina Colme
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: 416-325-5074
E-mail: catrina.colme@heritagetrust.on.ca