See where these apple growers pack fresh Ontario apples – 8,000 boxes each day in the 14,865-square-metre (160,000-square-foot) packing and storage facility (set to expand by 7,432 square metres/80,000 square feet in the next few years). During Doors Open, learn how Algoma Orchards presses and bottles up to 9 million litres of fresh cider annually.

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Algoma Orchards uses state-of-the-art planting systems to grow over 445 hectares (1,100 acres) of apples at their Clarington facility. Currently growing 750,000 bushels of apples annually to ship across Canada (mainly Gala, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia and McIntosh), they will be expanding operations over the next five years to grow over 1 million bushels! Guided tours throughout the day.

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For over 70 years, the Benschop family have owned and operated this third-generation dairy farm. Approximately 250 registered Holsteins are housed here – 100-plus are milked twice daily in a double-eight parlour. Learn what loose housing, free-stall, parlour and calf hutches are and more. During Doors Open, the Durham East 4-H Club will also provide displays and information.

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This building is a vintage 1950s British American (B/A) service station – recognizable by the B/A sign out front. The building replaced the Burley garage from the early 1900s. This is one of the finest examples of an art deco-style B/A garage in Ontario. The Stapleton Auction Centre since 1980, the building is also often used in movie shoots.

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John and Maria Rickard emigrated from England in 1847. Their son purchased the home farm here in 1866 – named Ceresmore for the Greek goddess Ceres (also the root of “cereals”). Jim and Don, fifth-generation Rickard farmers, currently farm 1,200 acres for seed. During Doors Open, visitors will be able to explore the seed cleaning plant, the historical home and barn.

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The Gibson family built this house in 1834 and furnished it with pieces brought from northern England (some originals are still in use today). The back half of the house was replaced in 1953 and a wraparound veranda in 2014. The family – in its seventh generation of farming – has been growing apples here since the late 1890s.

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In the early 1900s, this building was local businessman George Hancock's blacksmith shop. The building suffered two fires (1943 and 1948), but was rebuilt. Then it was a feed mill for a time. It has been flourishing since 1980 as part of the Stapleton Auction house. It also features a rare 1930s Ruston & Hornsby diesel engine.

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Hilltop Farm has been in the Elliott family since the earliest days of English settlers in Port Granby (circa 1834). The house and barn were built prior to 1860, which was the heyday of the port. The local sawmill cut softwoods to build the framing, floors and clapboard exterior, and the home builders dug the well by hand.

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Locally maintained, this cemetery is beautiful and worth visiting, if for nothing more than its splendid lake view. The west property extension, purchased in 1952, allowed for new generations to join their ancestors in choosing this as their final resting place. The columbarium is unusually placed at the top of a hill, with stones dating back to the mid-1800s.

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While the farm itself was established in the early 1900s, the house was built in 1906 by George and Gertrude Lane. Recently renovated, the house retains original wood trim and pocket doors into the living room. Some furnishings from the era also still remain – including 1860s chairs manufactured by G.P. Walter and Company. While you’re here, explore the lovely gardens.

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It’s the little greenhouse that grew. Link Greenhouses, a family-run operation, was established in 1992 by Lisa and Henk Mulders. (“Link” is the “Li” from Lisa and the “nk” from Henk.) Originally growing 5,000 tomatoes plants, it now grows over 20,000 tomato and 5,000 English cucumber plants. You can enjoy their produce from the end of March until late November.

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A Belleville-to-York stagecoach stop, The Love Hotel was constructed in 1856. New and old are beautifully blended in this building, which features original push-button lighting, large baseboards and pine floors. The master bedroom was previously the travellers’ parlour. Learn what split lathe construction is and see a repurposed use of the original ceiling planks.

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The original cottage is assumed to date back to 1850, when records show that a mortgage of £50 was taken out by Mr. March. The book Heritage Homes of Clark Township describes the original moulding on the front door. A full basement and a kitchen extension were added in the 1970s and a great room was added in the 1980s.

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Mostert Greenhouses is a family-run business that started growing roses in 1979. Now onto the second generation, the family continues to strive to give customers the quality product that only a local market can give. A long growing season (April to December) enables them to remain open weekdays and Saturdays. Come and enjoy their beautiful greenhouses and fragrant roses!

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This granite obelisk was constructed in 1902 and dedicated to the memory of Captain P.K. Milligan. In April 1943, a collision damaged the monument. The original stone base was replaced with cement and was re-erected in Memorial Garden. In 1980, it was restored and is now maintained by Branch 178 of the Royal Canadian Legion and the municipality.

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This hall was built in 1954 as the Royal Templars Lodge – one of many temperance societies popular at the time. The monthly meetings of this social organization included plays, songs, readings and music. The building was restored in 1979 as the local community hall. Historical photographs of the village will be on display. Lunch will also be available for purchase.

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The area’s first school house, from the 1840s, closed in the 1850s. According to the township minutes, it was moved because it was an obstruction and nuisance where it stood. At that time, it was moved to its current location and was later used as a harness and shoe repair shop by local businessman George Hancock.

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Villages of yesteryear were both diverse and self-sufficient. The pioneers who settled here in Newtonville were tenacious folks. Hear some of the local history and stories of this unique community while enjoying a horse-drawn wagon tour around the village. Find out about a tragic plane crash, interesting passers-through and the people who helped shape village life.

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The Old March Hotel originally housed a bar room, two sitting rooms and four bedrooms, and the grounds featured a six-horse stable and large driving shed. Early settler George Elliot purchased the property and later sold it to David March, who built the hotel. It has since been converted to a private residence. Food will be available for purchase.

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Come and see how this farm grows an assortment of vegetables and fruit without the use of any chemicals, pesticides or fungicides – and absolutely no genetically modified organisms! Tour the operations, speak with the farmers and learn what it takes to grow organic. They also sell pastured chicken and eggs, and products made with organic ingredients – soups, preserves and more.

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This site is a remnant of Canada’s nuclear past. Through the Port Granby Project, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is safely transporting 450,000 cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste away from the Lake Ontario shoreline for long-term storage in a newly engineered facility. The waste was deposited at the legacy site between 1955 and 1988 by former Crown corporation Eldorado Nuclear Limited.

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This quiet, rural four-corners area is rich with local history. Providence Cemetery is a Bible Christian cemetery with only 88 burials – the first being Elizabeth Ann Bragg (1846) and the last Rebecca (Werry) Peardon (1919). Rev. Paul Robins – a pioneer of the Bible Christian movement in North America – and his wife Ann are also buried here.

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This gardening family has been known for its quality and variety of products for over 50 years. The Rekker Greenhouses are worth a visit. The new greenhouse development serving their wholesale customers is an example of modern technology at its best. Come and enjoy this rare chance to see how it’s all done.

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The Selby family run two successful farm operations – Newcastle Grain Elevator and Selby Farms. Handling everything from seed management to growing and producing corn, soybeans and wheat, they operate a drying, elevator and storage facility (with a 12,000-ton capacity), as well as being involved in transporting these commodities. Come and learn about what’s involved in helping to “feed the world.”

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Established 1956, this gas station was open for 44 years. Then, the town slowly lost its bustle. Even though the station closed, the pumps stand as monuments to earlier times. The Skelding family have been well-known in the area since the early 1800s. The station still houses a local business, and the property is home to the original owners.

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Local businessman George Hancock (1845-1919) owned this home circa 1869 and ran a harness business here. The brick on the original building was supposedly reused from a Newcastle fire. More recently, the home has been enjoyed by several generations of the Stapleton family. The current owners moved in and have completely renovated the interior to create this uniquely beautiful home.

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Tour the main floor and gardens of this 1840s home. Stone Hollow’s original main house was built with 63-centimetre (25-inch) thick stone walls. Some internal walls in the dining and living room areas have been uncovered, showing the original stonework with embedded wood blocks (as well as original timbers framing the doorways).

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This family-owned and -operated business takes pride in producing premium-quality sod and providing excellent service for customers who enjoy working directly with the producer. Located on over 283 hectares (700 acres), Vissers has been growing, delivering and installing sod throughout Ontario since 1988. During Doors Open, come and see some of their equipment, and learn how they do it!

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