Markham
Event information
Digital Doors Open Markham
Explore some traditional Doors Open Markham sites without having to leave home. The following sites offer tours, videos and activities that will engage people of all ages.
Heintzman House Doors Open Markham
Heintzman House – a treasured asset of the Thornhill community – is one of the area’s oldest buildings. This historical building has a fascinating story. What began as a simple farmhouse in 1798 is now an important piece of Markham’s history and a gathering place for the community. Originally built as an adobe brick cottage, the house was enlarged by Colonel George Crookshank in 1817. Charles T. Heintzman, grandson of the founder of Toronto’s Heintzman Piano Company, purchased the property in the 1930s and transformed the house into its present, elegant form. Heintzman House was Markham’s most-visited site during Doors Open Markham 2019 and is a beautiful space for any occasion. From the preserved original architecture to the impressive seasonal gardens, Heintzman House offers something for everyone. There are also tales of prominent owners, spirits that dwell inside, and a community’s determined efforts to recognize the heritage site. During Digital Doors Open, learn about the history of this remarkable place through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- Kid-friendly
- Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
Architecture
Year built: 1816Architectural style: Classical revival, Georgian, Regency
Building type: Attraction, Historical landmark, Historical house
Landscape: Garden
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Saturday October 31, 2020Part of Digital Doors Open Markham
Thornhill Village Library Doors Open Markham
This house, which was converted into a public library in the 1970s under the direction of restoration architect Napier Simpson Jr., fits comfortably into Colborne Street’s historical streetscape. The library was featured in Deborah Kerbel’s 2010 ghost story, Lure. The ghost of Ellen Ramsden, the building’s original owner, is said to make an appearance from time to time. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below to learn more about the site.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 1851Architectural style: Neoclassical
Building type: Library
Landscape: Garden
Dates/hours open
Saturday September 12 – Saturday November 30, 2019Part of Digital Doors Open Markham
Unionville Train Station Doors Open Markham
New
The Unionville Train Station is one of Canada’s oldest remaining railway stations – and one of the few 19th-century stations still in its original trackside location. Constructed for the Toronto and Nipissing Railway, it is clad in board-and-batten siding with a gable roof and six-over-six paned windows. It was designed as a simple building, with a trackside platform sheltered by an extension of the roof, supported by simple, sturdy brackets. The west end of the building contained a passenger waiting room, with walls clad with vertical wainscoting and a wood stove. The east end of the building served as a freight shed. In the middle of the station was a baggage room and an office for the Station Agent, with a ticket window opening into the general waiting room. The station served the Grand Trunk Railway from 1884 to 1923 when the line became part of Canadian National Railways. By the late 1970s, the station was showing its age and the railway considered demolition after the station was damaged by fire. Local residents opposed this demolition and successfully campaigned to save the station. The municipality restored the building as a community centre in 1989. In 1993, the Town of Markham purchased the land containing the Unionville Train Station and the Stiver Mill. For more information, watch the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Contact info
7 Station LaneUnionville, Ontario
Architecture
Year built: 1870Architect: A.T. Button (Uxbridge)
Building type: Transportation
Dates/hours open
Saturday September 12 – Monday November 30, 2020Part of Digital Doors Open Markham