by Donna Reid
Donna Reid is passionately positive about Hamilton
– so much so that in 2013 she created The
Hamilton Store on James Street North in the former HIStory + HERitage gallery space. She lives in the neighbourhood – north of Barton
Spring! That means Doors Open Hamilton is coming. This annual exploration of our city’s unique architecture and hidden cultural spaces happens Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6. And it’s FREE!
The doors open concept originated in Europe in the 1980’s as a free admission day to heritage sites. In 2000, the City of Toronto created the first North American event as a millennium celebration of heritage.
Between April and October this year over 40 events will take place in communities across Ontario. 2018 is Doors Open Hamilton’s 16th annual event!
Doors Open Hamilton is the signature program of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario Hamilton Region Branch, in partnership with the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects. This year throughout the city will be open. Doors Open Hamilton is managed by a small group of volunteers led by Committee Chair and North End resident Barbara Murray.
Two new sites to check out this year:
The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club will open their Clubhouse plus the grounds and docks for self-guided tours. The RHYC is celebrating its rich history in our community and on the water.
Cannon Knitting Mills is a former industrial building that began as a foundry in the 1850’s. This is a rare opportunity to experience the “before” of a site to be renovated and adaptively reused for residential and commercial space. (Cannon at Mary.)
The full 2018 site list will be available in April online at: www.doorsopenontario.ca/hamilton
And Doors Open Hamilton on Facebook.
Have fun exploring. Please share your photos on Twitter @doorsopenhammer #doh18
Love your city!
Donna Reid owns The Hamilton Store on James Street North. She created Doors Open Hamilton in 2002 and remains involved as time permits.
