PTBOCanada Featured Post: Doors Open Peterborough Invites Residents To Explore The City They Live In
/After two years of virtual events, Doors Open Peterborough is in person, and ready to share Peterborough’s rich history with residents.
“We’re so excited to get the event back the way it’s meant to be experienced,” said Jennifer Guerin, the staff lead with Doors Open. “The whole point is to have people entering buildings and talking with each other, learning and exploring.”
The event will take place on May 7 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and feature eight different locations to visit.
In an effort to make sure everyone feels comfortable, Doors Open Peterborough will also offer outdoor walking tours, so those that wish to remain outside are still able to join in on the fun.
“We hope that visitors are able to see these buildings in a new light,” said Guerin.
A virtual story map is available here.
The theme for this years Doors Open event is ‘design and adaptive reuse’ and Guerin hopes people may begin to think about how historic buildings play a role in combatting climate change.
“The greenest building is one that’s already standing,” she said. “Rather than demolishing the original structures, the buildings featured have been redesigned to better accommodate their new uses or enhance their ability to deliver core services”
Around the Block, Around the Town: Downtown Walking Tour
Local historian Don WIlcox will lead a guided walking tour of Peterborough’s historical downtown. The tour will cover a variety of themes, such as education, recreation and sport, and law. Three 30-minute tours (11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) will be available throughout the day for Doors Open.
Ashburnham from the Top: East City Walking Tour
local historian Elwood Jones will guide two 45 minute tours (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) of historical East City. He will teach participants all about local landmarks like St. Joseph's Hospital, Westclox and Immaculate Conception Church.
Tours will begin at the corner of Armour Road and Hunter Street East on the lawn of King George Public School.
Hunter Street Bridge/Quaker Oats Walking Tour
Local historian Gord Young, who has published a book about the history of the Quaker Oats factory and the devastating fire of 1916, will lead this walking tour. During the tour visitors will learn the history of the Hunter Street Bridge, the Quaker Factory and how they rebuilt after the disaster.
30 minute tours will run hourly from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
King George Public School
The former King George Public School was one of Peterborough's "Royal Schools" and will be open for the public to visit from 10 a.m. to 1 pm, and 3 pm-6 pm (after 3 pm, visitors will be asked to pay a small fee to see the live performances as part of “Erring at King George”.
Peterborough Collegiate
This historic Peterborough high school is home to alumni like Serena Ryder, Jim Balsillie and Lester B. Pearson. It’s doors will be open to explore from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA)
The PMA, constructed in 1967 to mark Canada's centennial, is inviting the public to view their new exhibit “Home and Away: Stories of Travel from Peterborough and Beyond,” developed by Fleming College's Museum Management and Curatorship students.
Doors will be open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Peterborough Theatre Guild
Originally constructed as St. Luke's Anglican Church, it was gutted by fire in 1959 and purchased by a group of locals.
Doors are open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
