Guelph Arts Council announces Doors Open 2017 sites

(News Release)

Guelph, ON – Doors Open Guelph is a day-long celebration of Guelph's finest buildings, creative spaces, and artistically or architecturally relevant sites.

Presented annually by Guelph Arts Council since 2002, the program showcases and celebrates Guelph’s hidden gems, as well as our great resources, businesses, and creative spaces.

The 2017 event will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 10 am to 4 pm. Site details are posted at guelpharts.ca/doors-open-guelph#thisyearsevent, and listed below.

On average, Doors Open Guelph attracts 6,000 people to its sites each year, 25-50% of whom are visitors to the city.

Since its inception, Doors Open Guelph has been part of Doors Open Ontario, an Ontario Heritage Foundation province-wide initiative that was also launched in 2002 to celebrate community heritage. Doors Open Guelph has had the distinction of being the kick-off event for Doors Open Ontario, opening the province-wide initiative for several years.

Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate

2017 Site Listing

 St. George's Anglican Church

99 Woolwich Street

This church opened in 1873, replacing two earlier versions located in St. George’s Square. It was designed by Henry Langley, architect of many Ontario churches, including three in Guelph. A revival of the English Gothic medieval parish church, different roof lines indicate the different areas of the nave, choir, and sanctuary. A special feature is the 23-bell carillon donated by Arthur Cutten.

Canadian Pacific Caboose 436994

99 Woolwich Street

(Located on siding close to St. Georges Church)

Built in 1941, this wooden-body caboose served the Canadian Pacific Railway for more than 40 years. For the past 23 years, it has been beautifully restored by members of the Guelph Historical Railway Association who most recently completed the exterior renovation. Inside is now a railway museum on wheels, reflecting the glory days of railroading in the mid-20th century.

The New Petrie Building

15 Wyndham Street North

This Second Empire-style building was designed by John Day in 1882 for pharmacist A.B. Petrie. Constructed of limestone and timber, the New Petrie Building is one of only three remaining buildings in Canada with a stamped galvanized iron facade. The upper floors were intact when purchased by Tyrcathlen Partners, retaining the elements of the Oddfellows, the adjoining door to the Cutten Kelly building, and Mr. Petrie’s office and safe.

Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate

28 Norfolk Street

In 1827, John Galt gave the highest hill for the building of a Catholic Church. Opened in 1888, with the towers added in 1926, the church was designed by Joseph Connelly in French Gothic tradition. It has many elements of traditional European cathedrals with beautiful stained glass windows, locally-quarried limestone walls, and unique carvings. From 2006 - 2015, a $12 million renovation restored the interior and exterior features.

The Albion Hotel

49 Norfolk Street

The present building was made of locally-quarried limestone in the late 1850s and its structure is supported from the basement by 18-inch timbers. In the early years, the beer was made from water piped from a spring on Catholic Hill. The entrance to the water tunnel can still be seen in the basement. Many spirited stories from the Prohibition era emanate from the Albion.

Silence

46 Essex Street

Built as a car repair garage in 1950, the space has housed several businesses. In 2015, new owners did extensive repairs and upgrades to create a unique arts space consisting of a main room with an intimate space for performances and the smaller “Sound Sanctuary” used for music therapy and a collection of international instruments. Guelph artist Janet Morton created the unique chimney made of cassettes.

The Armoury

7 Wyndham Street South

Constructed in 1909 of red brick highlighted with limestone trim, the Armoury was designed by federal architects David Ewart and T.W. Fuller. Its castellated towers, battlements, and heavy wooden gate give

the impression of a medieval fortress. The Officer’s Mess contains a collection of art and memorabilia of the 11th Field Regiment. A basement gun park and impressive parade area showcase the Regiment’s 160 years of service.

Ker Cavan

22 Stuart Street

“Tyrcathleen” was built in 1855 for Reverend Arthur Palmer according to plans attributed to Sir Charles Barry, architect of Britain’s Houses of Parliament. In 1926, H.B. Higginbotham enlarged the original house with enclosed galleries, remodeled the northern half, and renamed it, Ker Cavan. The present owner has renovated and modernized the house and added his unique collection of sheep and soap artifacts.

Ker Cavan Coach House

26 Stuart Street

Henry Higginbotham added the Coach House to the Ker Cavan property in 1928. It was built to house cars with living quarters for the chauffeur and gardener above the garage. A potting room and greenhouse were attached along Palmer Street. The garage doors are now replaced with windows, and the building has been renovated as a residence.

London House

80 London Road West

This unique house was built in 1893 for John Sully, a local businessman and politician. Many fine features remain intact, including the decorative slate roof, the leaded glass windows, and the original burled oak woodwork inside. The present owners have restored many of the original exterior and interior features.

Macdonald Hall: School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph

74 Macdonald Street

Macdonald Hall was built in 1903 as the women’s dormitory for students at the Macdonald Institute. Designed by George M. Miller, it was the oldest residence at the University of Guelph. Now renovated to LEED silver certification, it contains flexible gathering spaces, classrooms, and offices. The 1903 gymnasium and dining room have been transformed into modern learning areas while keeping some original features.

The Frank Hasenfratz Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing

700 Woodlawn Road West

Linamar is a $5 billion company with 55 manufacturing facilities located across the world. The Centre, named after Linamar’s founder, provides innovative product and process technology where workers are trained in leadership and information. It features eco-friendly design elements like an open concept atrium foyer, retractable skylights, extensive use of recycled materials, a reflective pond and dual living walls.

RWDI

600 Southgate Drive

RWDI is a Canadian-based firm of consulting engineers and scientists who tackle complex problems in the built environment with innovative thinking, collaborative problem solving and a passion for expanding the boundaries of the possible. Climate engineering, building performance and environmental engineering work together to create buildings and infrastructure that are resilient to extreme weather, hospitable, and sustainable. The Guelph headquarters feature state-of-the-art wind tunnels and a water tunnel. 

Trails Open – The Toronto Suburban Railway (100th anniversary)

The End of James Street East

The most advanced interurban electric railway in North America arrived in Guelph on April 14, 1917, and served for 15 years until 1931. See the railbed of the TSR (now a popular trail), one of its powerhouses, and where the TSR brought a wetland to ruin. 25-minute guided hikes led by members of the Guelph Hiking Trail Club set out from the end of James St. E, at 10:30, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00.

 

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About Guelph Arts Council:
For forty years, Guelph Arts Council has been dedicated to supporting, stimulating and promoting arts and culture in Guelph. Guelph Arts Council is funded in part by The Guelph Community Foundation and City of Guelph. We also acknowledge the support of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and our annual sponsors Meridian and Gary Stewart of CIBC Wood Gundy.

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