Doors Open Oshawa 2005 Highlights

Celebrate Our History - Visit our Cultural Treasures

September 24, 2005    10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Doors Open Oshawa 2005 gave the public a chance to explore historic architecture and fascinating heritage sites throughout the city.   Doors Open Launch at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery as featured on the Doors Open Ontario website. more Doors Open Oshawa 2005 photos ...

Doors Open Oshawa 2005 participating sites:

	1 The Robert McLaughlin Gallery	72 Queen Street
	This remarkable building, designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, features a variety of collections and celebrates the vitality of Canadian art. Works include the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, Antoine Plamondon and others. Of special local interest are works by Painters Eleven and The Thomas Bouckley Collection of Historical Photographs. Doors Open Information Centre Guided Tours on the hour $ Lunch 11:30 - 2:00 at the Gallery Café and Restaurant, reservations recommended 905-576-2392
	2 Cowan House	39 Athol Street West
	Cowan House is an 1858 Georgian-style dwelling, with Italianate properties - seen in the bracketed eaves and portico elements. It was home to businessman and Mayor W.F. Cowan and his family. Today it serves as offices and meeting rooms for St. George’s Memorial Church.
	3 St. George’s Memorial Church	51 Centre Street South
	St. George’s opened in 1924, the same year that Oshawa became a city. Designed by Eden Smith, the famous Arts and Craft architect, it is constructed of Credit Valley Sandstone in the Old English Gothic Revival style. The buttresses, gothic tracery and lancet-arched windows are noteworthy. The tower holds a 15- bell carillon. Site Open 10:00 - 2:00 Organ Concert at 10:00 and 11:00 Bell Concert at 12:00 $ Boxed Lunch Available 11:30 -1:00
	4 Simcoe Street United Church	66 Simcoe Street South
	Built in 1867 by Toronto architects Gundy & Langley, the church is a fine example of the Gothic Revival style. Lancet-arched openings and a polygonal spire with pinnacles and dormers embellish the exterior. A Casavant organ, 36’ ornamental timber arches and a pressed-tin ceiling dominate the interior. Site Open 10:00 - 1:00 Historical Display
	5 Canadian Automotive Museum	99 Simcoe Street South
	Housed in a 1920’s car dealership, the museum showcases the development of the automobile with approximately 65 vehicles dating from 1898 to 1981.
	6 Oshawa Guide House	121 Simcoe Street South
	Once used as the parsonage for Simcoe Street United Church, the building was renovated and deeded by the McLaughlin family to the Girl Guides in 1948, almost 100 years after it was built. $ Boxed Lunch available Girl Guide Archival Display
	7 Adelaide House	33 McGrigor Street
	The McLaughlin family was instrumental in Oshawa’s development. Adelaide House was built for daughter Eileen in 1929 by architects Darling & Pearson. Every detail in the Neo Gothic home, from the carved bargeboard, patterned brick, art glass, to the plaster motifs was given careful attention. The property was deeded in 1944 to the YWCA and has remained a sanctuary for women and children in need to this day. $ Boxed Lunch in the Sunroom 11:00 - 1:00 Exhibit by artist Margaret Rodgers Y’s WISH Shelter and YWCA International Gift Boutiques
	8 Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens	155 Arena Street, Oshawa
	The first phase of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens is nestled beside the historic banks of the Oshawa Creek. Enjoy the unique blend of naturalized creek banks juxtaposed against formal gardens. Take a stroll through Oshawa’s natural history along a trail that winds down to Lake Ontario.
	9 Gladstone Villa	114 King Street East
	Built in 1903 for Frederick Fowke, Oshawa Mayor and Liberal MP under Wilfred Laurier, Gladstone Villa is a delightful Queen Anne Revival structure. The Library is patterned after that on Parliament Hill.
	10 The Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Armoury	53 Simcoe Street North
	The Ontario Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, was constituted in 1866 and moved its headquarters to Oshawa at the beginning of WW1. One of many standard armouries built at the time, the Officers’ Mess is still located in the Romanesque building in downtown Oshawa. $ Pop and Beer Military Memorabilia in Officer’s Mess
	11 Parkwood, the R. S. McLaughlin Estate Greenhouses	270 Simcoe Street North
	The heritage greenhouses reflect the horticultural pursuits and lavish lifestyle of a Canadian autobaron - and the requisite large garden staff. View the Palm House, Japanese Garden and Orchid House (now a tearoom), production houses & vinery, as well as central potting area complete with memorabilia and period garden tools. National Historic Site Parking at O’Neill Collegiate, enter from Mary Street $ Tea Room $ Guided tours of the 1915 mansion available at regular admission prices
	12 Oshawa Community Museum	1450 Simcoe Street South
	Located in beautiful Lakeview Park, the Oshawa Community Museum and Archives is comprised of three historically designated homes - Henry House 1849, Robinson House 1846 and Guy House 1835. All stand on their original foundations and represent three unique architectural styles - the Dutch Colonial, Regency and Georgian. The museum provides visitors with a greater understanding of the lifestyles of Oshawa’s early inhabitants. Begin your visit at Guy House Wardrobe, Women, Fashion and WWII display at Robinson House
	13 Second Marsh Wildlife Area	1908 Colonel Sam Drive
	Second Marsh has been a focal point for natural and cultural heritage for hundreds of years. This 123- hectare wetland is the largest on Lake Ontario between Niagara and Presq’Ille. Look for the McLaughlin Bay Reserve sign Park in the West Lot of GM
	14 Union Cemetery	760 King Street West
	Established in 1837, many famous names from Oshawa’s and Canada’s past are found in ‘Thornton’s Burying Ground’. Today the site covers 29 acres and includes private mausoleums and a Gothic Revival (former) chapel. The Union Cemetery Mausoleum was built in 1924 and features an ornate marble interior and hand painted stained glass windows. Guided Tour at 11:00 or self-guided
	15 Thornton-Dundee Community Centre	210 Thornton Road North
	Oshawa’s oldest remaining schoolhouse, Union School No. 5, was constructed in 1880. Second Empire in style, it is richly decorated with dichromatic brick, large wooden brackets and capped by double chimneys with an oculus design. Designated in 1999. Heritage Oshawa Display
	16 South Field, Oshawa Airport	1000 Stevenson Road North
	The Robert Stuart Aeronautical Collection and Camp X Exhibit transports visitors back to the war years. It is one of Canada’s most comprehensive collections of military memorabilia and is housed inside two WWII huts. There is also a display of Camp X artifacts - a significant Allied wartime secret. $ Hot Dogs and Pop The Oshawa Aeronautical, Military and Industrial Museum contains the largest collection of running and otherwise operational military equipment in Canada. $ BBQ Lunch The 420 Wing R.C.A.F. Association is a social and recreational club for air force veterans and aviation enthusiasts and is also housed in a WWII structure. Members have contributed the wealth of memorabilia displayed in the clubhouse. Beverages and Sandwiches Airmen Park’s focal point is a war surplus Sabre aircraft. The Park also contains plaques and other commemorative relics.

Pick up a brochure at any of the sites, local libraries or tourist information centres.

Doors Open Oshawa would like to thank the following sponsors:
Doors Open Ontario
Ontario Heritage Foundation
Heritage Oshawa
Oshawa Downtown Action Committee
The City of Oshawa
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Bell Canada

Doors Open Oshawa is made possible through the support of many community volunteers, the partnership of heritage organizations, public and private sponsors and The City of Oshawa.