Doors Open returns to Gananoque . . .

The Town of Gananoque is planning to open its doors once again and welcome the public to explore 13 unique and historic sites on  Oct. 1 and 2 

Throughout the province of Ontario, there is a growing pride in our heritage. We boast of our commercial buildings, courthouses, residences, places of worship, gardens, natural heritage and other heritage sites. 

And the Ontario Heritage Trust  – the province's lead heritage agency – invites you to experience these hidden heritage treasures first-hand with the Doors Open program which literally opens the doors to some of our most intriguing and charming heritage sites.

Admission is free!

The following is a list of all 13 sites in Gananoque that will be opening their doors this weekend!

Arthur Child Heritage Museum: This museum on the shores of the St. Lawrence River occupies the former site of the Thousand Islands Railway Station and is reminiscent of the cottages and hotels that once graced the area. The 2011 seasonal exhibit, "The Way We Were: 1840-1890," offers a look back at local architecture, culture and industry.

Athlone Inn: A boutique inn and fine dining restaurant since the 1950s, the Athlone Inn was built for Charles Leopold Parmenter, co-founder of the Parmenter and Bulloch Rivet factory. The present owners have taken great care to restore and preserve the home's original architectural features to showcase its grandeur.

Beaver Hall Bed and Breakfast: Beaver Hall was built in 1826 for Captain Chrysler, a steamboat commander who sailed this part of the St. Lawrence River. The three-storey stone residence has a beautiful metal, bell-cast mansard roof. The Hall's owners received a 2007 Heritage Award for Outstanding Restoration.

Gananoque Inn and Spa: This charming inn was once the Gananoque Carriage Works, built in 1860. The carriage works business was short-lived, closing in 1894. In 1896, the building was converted to a hotel – one of the earliest conversions of manufacturing space to hotel space in Canada.

Gananoque Town Hall: Built in 1831 for John McDonald, a prominent Gananoque businessman, this heritage building features original cornices, mouldings and a stair rail, as well as the original family schoolroom.

Gananoque Pump House: Willis Chipman, an engineer of national significance, designed the original section of the pump house, built between 1903 and 1905 by a Gananoque firm controlled by R.J. Wilson. The building is a prime example of industrial architecture in Gananoque. Its excellent esthetic qualities exemplify a loose interpretation of the Renaissance revival style with Flemish influences.

Grace United Church: The Stone Church, as it became known, was built in 1871 to replace the old wooden Wesleyan Methodist Church of 1836, on land donated by The Honourable John McDonald, MPP, a prominent local businessman. Major renovations occurred in 1896 and 1958. Ravaged by fire in 1979, the church reopened in 1981, its majestic Gothic style preserved.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church: This stately church formally opened for services in 1855, on property donated by the Honourable John McDonald. The church organ, which dates to 1874, has been upgraded several times. The sanctuary features stained-glass windows and other examples of church art, all of which contribute to the warm, welcoming feeling that greets all who enter. 

Sleepy Hollow Bed and Breakfast: Built in 1905, Sleepy Hollow is a three-storey mansion, complete with turret and wraparound porch. It boasts an elegant living room, seven guest rooms, tin ceilings and a staircase with wood details. With its columns in the living room and stained glass, this Queen Anne-style home is spectacular.

Auberge Victoria Rose Inn: This 1872 landmark was the elaborate summer home of the first mayor of Gananoque, William Byers. Today, as a hotel, it features 12 exquisitely appointed rooms, each with a stunning view of the grounds. The two-acre property features lovely gardens and a sloping yard surrounded by a century-old stone wall.

Also on tour are St. John's Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Gananoque Spring and Axel Company and The Godfrey House.

For more information on    Doors Open  visit www.gananoque.ca or www.doorsopenontario.on.ca .

Please check each site for open hours. 

Don't forget to give Susan Emo a call when you're in town, especially if you're looking to Buy or Sell in the Greater Gananoque Area -  I can open doors for you and your family!