Unlock the mystery of radio with an opportunity to go on a guided tour of 92.3 The Dock. During Doors Open, you will have a chance to see how the magic of radio happens. You will also learn why radio stations play what they play, and maybe even meet one of your favourite radio personalities along the way.

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First occupied by the Calvary Church, this building has housed the synagogue since 1946. Named for Ezekiel Cadesky, a Russian immigrant who settled here in the early 1900s, the structure draws from the tradition of simple, turn-of-the-20th-century Georgian meeting halls. Intricate stained-glass windows tell the story of many member families. Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1990.

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The Billy Bishop Home & Museum remains an Owen Sound landmark. Boyhood home of the First World War Flying Ace, the museum invites you to explore the Bishop family, and to honour the contributions of service men and women, past and present. Dedicated as a museum in 1987, this site became a National Historic Site in 2002.

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Traditionally a Black church, Owen Sound’s British Methodist Episcopal Church has been serving the spiritual needs of its congregation for almost 150 years. Loyalty to their church was a common characteristic of these Black residents. Established in 1856, it was a rallying point for the slaves who made it to Canada, both before and during the American Civil War.

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This building – a former YMCA and daycare – was constructed in 1965. In 2012, the Family Y headquarters was completely renovated to support 2,323 square metres (25,000 square feet) of modern office space for Bruce Grey Child & Family Services. This organization is committed to protecting and promoting the best interests of children, strengthening families and honouring culture, heritage and community.

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Built in 1910 as the Westside Methodist Church, this building remains much the same as it did then. It was constructed of local materials with Renaissance proportions in the Akron style. A veranda was added to the northeast entrance and a wheelchair ramp at the west entrance. The pipe organ also dates from 1910.

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In 1931, the Canadian National Railway built this station, which had a separate waiting room for women and children, to replace the original Grand Trunk station. Passenger service ended in 1970. Today, the station is a landmark and tourism hub, housing the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre. This site will be the Doors Open Headquarters and will provide guided tours.

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In 2016, Grey County Council approved an addition and renovation to the administration building in order to bring more services together under one roof, making it easier to receive services in a community hub that is fully accessible. As part of the project, the Provincial Offences Court was moved here. The official ribbon cutting was held in September 2018.

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The Eddie Sargent House is an elegant and well-preserved Victorian home. The property was the former home of Eddie and Roma Sargent. Eddie was the Mayor of Owen Sound and the Member of Provincial Parliament representing Grey-North from 1963 to 1967, and Grey-Bruce from 1967 to 1987. The home occupies a prominent location on the west hill overlooking Georgian Bay.

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The First United Church has a history dating back to 1842 in the Ojibway reserve of Newash. The current church building opened in 1955. This year, First United will be the starting point for the Wiidosendiwag-Walking Together Tour of the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Guided tours will be available throughout the day.

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Built in 1890 for a local hardware merchant, this house was rented in 1908-09 as the home and office of the United States Consul Colonel Augustus G. Seyfert, evidence of Owen Sound's importance in American shipping. Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2010, the property is now the private residence of Shelley and Bev Buckton.

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This bookshop, begun in 1978 as a mail-order business specializing in books about woodworking, moved into their current location in 1984. Since 1987, they have focused on books about Owen Sound and the surrounding area – including historical, contemporary, natural and cultural publications. It remains an exuberant centre where readers and writers alike gather to exchange ideas and connect over books.

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The Great Lakes Métis Council is a local chartered community council committed to fostering community development and empowerment for Métis citizens. The organization oversees services to the Métis community, including: educational services, economic development, genealogy and the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Centre. Some of the programs offered include: Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Program, Employment and Training and Infinity Property Services.

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Greenwood Cemetery, bordered by stately maples and cedar hedges, is the final resting place of ship captains, politicians and prominent business people. It is the only cemetery in Canada in which three Victoria Cross recipients are buried (including Billy Bishop). The Indiana-limestone-clad mausoleum, built in 1927, features marble interiors and impressive stained-glass windows. Walking tour brochure/guided tours available.

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This impressive 697-square-metre (7,500-square-foot) manor – a fine example of high Victorian architecture – features a library, music room, cage elevator, Roman arches, 3.66-metre-high (12-foot) plaster ceilings, stained-glass windows and a grand staircase. From 1919 to 1940, the house served as a maternity hospital.

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One of the three waterfalls on the outskirts of Owen Sound, Inglis Falls cascades 18 metres (59 feet) over the Niagara Escarpment. See the remains of a water flume and grinding stones, once part of a grist, saw and woollen mill complex. Tour the filtration plant, built in 1910, where water was filtered and then gravity-fed to local residents.

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Built by the McCallum family in 1920, Morland Place was originally a small, country cottage-style home. The expansion at the rear was modelled after the 1870s regency Georgian villa style. The gardens, started in 1960, were influenced by European architectural style. Containing concrete statues and benches, the Tree Park and Perennial Garden and Maze are not to be missed.

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This former Canadian Pacific Railway station is an important part of Owen Sound’s cultural heritage. The station is a unique building, built in 1946, with elements of prairie, art deco and art moderne architectural styles. The property was vacant for 10 years until purchased by the City and repurposed to house this unique brewery and restaurant.

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This library was founded in 1855 as a Mechanics’ Institute. The present neoclassical structure – completed in 1914 with a Carnegie Foundation grant – features exterior monumental brick pilasters with carved limestone trim and bases, and a barrel-vaulted ceiling with decorative plasterwork. An addition dates from 1972. The building was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2009.

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Constructed in 1905 as a retail store, this building was purchased in 1924 by a rival retailer who operated it as a dry goods store until 1989. Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1990, it is now home to the Owen Sound Artists' Co-op – a gallery/retail space for area artists to showcase and sell their work.

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The original town hall, built in 1868-69, was largely destroyed by fire in 1961. In 1965, the new city hall was constructed. In 2015, Council approved renovations of the existing building to add more meeting space and record storage, and to make the building fully accessible, improve the exterior, and create new energy-efficient building systems. It re-opened in November 2018.

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This registered charity is engaged in preaching and advancing the teachings of the Islamic faith and the religious tenets, doctrines, observances and culture associated with it, and contributes to the community’s welfare and educational services. During Ramadan (May 5 to June 4, 2019), special services will be provided. The community will break its fasts together at the mosque on weekends.

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The Owen Sound Police Station was completely renovated and operational in 2009. The Auxiliary Unit will provide guided tours every 30 minutes where people will be able to meet the police officers, see the police vehicles, and maybe even get a glimpse of the cellblocks. Attendees will need to enter through the Barclay Room entrance off 2nd Avenue West.

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Owen Sound’s wastewater is collected in a sewer system consisting of 150 km (93 miles) of sewer mains that convey the wastewater to the treatment plant. Constructed in 1962, the plant was upgraded to full secondary treatment in 2017. Guided tours are available throughout the day to show the process of treating the wastewater before returning it to Georgian Bay.

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The Richard N. Neath Water Treatment Plant is a direct filtration surface water treatment plant that draws its water from Georgian Bay, serving 22,000 residents in the Owen Sound area. Take a tour to learn about how the water from the bay is cleaned and filtered, and understand more about the history behind this process.

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Community television has been a part of Grey County’s fabric since 1963. Doors Open allows us the opportunity to welcome members of the community to the local Grey County studio. Learn firsthand about the exciting world of television production. Appear on camera with your own station ID, meet local on-air personalities, tour the facility and enjoy light refreshments.

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Lawn bowling has been a popular summer sport in Owen Sound for more than 100 years. The club, originally called Owen Sound North (Brooke) Lawnbowling Club, purchased this property for $200 in 1948. After a fire in the 1990s destroyed the St. George’s Lawnbowling Club facility, Roselawn welcomed its members. Come and visit and try your hand at lawn bowling!

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The Roxy Theatre building, which was originally the Grand Opera House, was constructed in 1912 and has long been a landmark in Owen Sound. The Owen Sound Little Theatre, a not-for-profit charitable organization, now uses the building for community theatrical productions as well as many stage performances and musical events.

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Since the late 1800s, this building has been home to Molsons Bank, the Canadian Pacific Telegraph and Ken Henrich Jeweller (which only closed in 2014). Listed in 2018 on the city's heritage register, the building is now home to The Workshop – a local arts hub where you can learn about making pottery, jewelry and more.

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Built of native stone and dedicated to the Congregational church in 1871, this property was sold in 1902 to the Women's Christian Temperance Union for use as a meeting hall. It became a Lutheran church in 1943, and was then bought by the Christian Science Society in 1963. Today, the building is a thriving yoga, music and dance studio.

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