Celebrate Oshawa's History - Visit our Cultural Treasures

September 25 and 26, 2010    Noon - 4:00 p.m.
(unless otherwise noted)

Doors Open is a province-wide celebration of community heritage designed to create access, awareness and excitement about our heritage.  Doors Open provides residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy sometimes hidden and always interesting places and spaces in our cities, towns and villages - all free of charge!  Call 905.436.5636 x 2108 or email us for more info.  

Volunteer for Doors Open Oshawa 2010.

Confirmed Sites for 2010

	The Robert McLaughlin Gallery Year Built: 1969 Expansion 1987 Architect: Arthur Erickson (1987)	72 Queen Street
	This remarkable building, designed by noted Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, houses varied collections and celebrates the vitality of Canadian art. View works by the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, Painters Eleven and others.  Of special local interest is The Thomas Bouckley Collection and a Smith Potteries display.
	Oshawa Masonic Temple Year Built: 1928 Architect: C.C.Stenhouse	91 Centre Street South
	Constructed in the Art Deco style, the building is now home to four lodges and two concordant bodies.  Shrouded in symbolism, here’s a unique chance to view the Lodge Room and Library.
	St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church Year Built: 1892 *Sunday Only 1 - 4*	194 Simcoe Street North
	Built at the end of the 19th century in the French Romanesque style, this impressive structure sits across the road from Parkwood, the R.S. McLaughlin Estate.  The interior was recently restored, much of it made locally at the William Piano Works.
	Portraits by Goguen Year Built: 1900	191 Centre Street South
	An excellent example of adaptive reuse, this delightful Second Empire was built as a residence and is now used as a commercial art gallery.  Note the Mansard roof, ornate porch, dormer and cupola.  One of only two Second Empire houses in Oshawa.
	Canadian Automotive Museum Year Built: c. 1920	99 Simcoe Street South
	Established in 1961 and housed in a 1920's car dealership, the museum showcases the development of the automobile with approximately 65 vehicles dating from 1898 to 1981.  The building has an original freight elevator and other historical items relating to the periods of the cars.
	Oshawa Community Museum Year Built: 1846	1450 Simcoe Street South
	Guy House and Henry House are two of the three designated historic houses that comprise the museum.  Located in beautiful Lakeview Park, these buildings stand on their original foundations and represent different architectural styles.  The museum and archives provide visitors with a good understanding of the lives of Oshawa's early inhabitants.
	The Robert Stuart Aeronautical Collection & Camp X Exhibit Year Built: 1940	1000 Stevenson Road North
	Part of a collection of buildings devoted to military history and situated on the South Field of the Oshawa Airport, this collection of military memorabilia is one of Canada's most comprehensive.  Housed in two original Second World War huts, there is also a 1,000 sq.  ft. display of authentic Camp-X artifacts- a significant allied wartime military secret.
	Airmen Park	1000 Stevenson Road North
	Airmen Park's focal point is a war surplus Sabre aircraft.  The Park also contains plaques and other commemorative relics.
	Simcoe Street United Church Year Built: 1867-68 Architect: Gundy & Langley *Saturday Only*	66 Simcoe Street South
	Built in the year of Confederation for a Methodist congregation, this 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.
	St. George's Memorial Church Year Built: 1924 Architect: Eden Smith	51 Centre Street South
	St. George's opened in the same year that Oshawa became a city.  Constructed of Credit Valley sandstone in the old English Gothic-revival style, this Eden Smith designed church was considered by him to be his finest work.  The buttresses and Gothic tracery are noteworthy.  The tower supports a 15-bell carillon.
	Camp X Tours Year Built: 1941 Tour at 1:00 pm each day	Intrepid Park, Boundary Road
	Join renowned author Lynn Phillip Hodgson for an hour and a half long tour of Camp X at 1:00 both Saturday and Sunday.  Meet at the monument and explore the former top secret WWII spy training school on the shores of Lake Ontario.
	Oshawa Community Church Year Built: 1899 Architect: John Wilson Siddall *Saturday Noon - 4*	71 Simcoe Street South
	Built as the Presbyterian Church in 1899, the building was known as St. Andrew’s United until 1999.  Now the Oshawa Community Church, this low slung Romanesque Revival gem is an asymmetrical delight.  The interior space is impressive. Tours every half hour.
	Thornton-Dundee Community Centre Year Built: c. 1880	210 Thornton Road North
	Oshawa's oldest remaining schoolhouse, Union School No. 5, operated here until 1954.  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.
	Cowan House Year Built: 1858	39 Athol Street West
	Cowan House is a 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.