One-Tank Trip for Oct. 5/19
(c) By Jim Fox
City slickers can discover what small-town
living is all about as Doors Open takes place in Dutton Dunwich.
The community
between London and St. Thomas with 3,800 people is one of the final two stops in
this season’s Ontario Heritage Trust program.
Concluding this
month with five communities, the cultural tourism initiative opens the doors,
gates and courtyards of “the most unique and fascinating cultural sites.”
 |
| St. Peter’s Anglican Church built in 1827 is one of the oldest churches in southwestern Ontario. |
It highlights exceptional
spaces of heritage structures “reflected, valued and conserved for future
generations.”
Dutton Dunwich opens
the doors of 10 buildings and historic sites with free tours on Oct. 20 from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s called a “unique
opportunity to explore and enjoy hidden and interesting places,” by Deputy
Mayor Mike Hentz.
Come on in
- St. Peter’s
Anglican Church (Lakeview Line) in Wallacetown was erected by the first
settlers of Tyrconnell in 1827.
It’s one of the oldest churches in
southwestern Ontario and has numerous architectural highlights.
The nearby cemetery is the resting place for
many early pioneers and their descendants including Colonel Thomas Talbot, the
land speculator responsible for settling newcomers throughout southwestern
Ontario.
 |
| The Backus-Page House Museum built in 1850 can be toured during Doors Open. |
- Backus-Page House
Museum (29424 Lakeview Line) in Wallacetown was built in 1850 and is operated
by the Tyrconnell Heritage Society.
It’s located in
picturesque John E. Pearce Provincial Park on the Lake Erie shore.
Visitors can enjoy
the Mary Storey Wetlands and Spicer trails, heritage gardens and the historic barn
and outbuildings.
The museum’s period
rooms tell the story of the Backus and Page families and changing exhibits showcase
local communities.
- Crinan Community
Centre (13568 Dunborough Line) in Dutton Dunwich is a former schoolhouse and Sunday
school.
Known for hosting
picnics, concerts and holiday celebrations, the building was bought by the
Crinan Women’s Institute in 1965 and has since been a community centre.
The chalkboards and
original floor grate remind visitors of the building’s original use.
 |
| Arched doorways of the main-floor entrance to the upstairs highlights the Lumley store. |
- Lumley &
Company General Store (8979 County Rd, 14) in Iona is a two-storey building constructed
as a store in 1888 for James Owen and Mary Lumley.
It has been a telephone switchboard office,
gas station, post office and antique store.
There are distinctive
rounded Italianate windows and arched doorways of the main-floor entrance to upstairs
apartments that will also be open.
- Lucas House
(29480 Fingal Line) in Wallacetown, circa 1883-84, is a two-storey dwelling
constructed of granite and limestone boulders and dressed stone.
It has paired
window openings with a central pointed-arch window, paired cornice brackets and
fieldstone construction and was owned the Lucas family for 85 years.
- Other sites to
visit are Duff Presbyterian Church; Iona Hall; Memorial Hall; St. Stephen’s
Anglican Church and cemetery; and the Sifton homestead.
“There is a lot to
be proud of in Dutton Dunwich and this is an excellent opportunity to explore,”
said Mayor Bob Purcell.
Start at any site and
self-guided tour maps are available at each location.
Happening now
Other Doors Open
events today (Oct. 5) are St. Thomas, Oxford-Woodstock and Lincoln.
 |
| One of the most-popular Doors Open events is
the “sold out” tour of the Canadian Niagara Power Generating Station.
The final event of
the season is Niagara Parks on Oct. 26 that’s already sold-out for reservedtickets to tour the Canadian Niagara Power Generating Station in Niagara Falls.
|
For details on all
events: www.doorsopenontario.on.ca
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For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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