Doors Open Guelph Reveals Sites for 2003

The doors will open to some of Guelph's finest buildings and the public is invited to step inside. On Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Doors Open Guelph offers a chance to discover some of this city's architectural treasures that are not generally viewed by the public including the soaring tower and nine fireplaces in a 19th century merchant's manor, and the beautifully-restored woodwork in an 1835 distillery.

A joint undertaking of Guelph Arts Council and Guelph Visitor and Convention Services, Doors Open Guelph 2003 is supported by the City of Guelph and sponsored by Old Quebec Street, a new downtown redevelopment project whose public debut will coincide with Doors Open Guelph. This event is part of Doors Open Ontario, an Ontario Heritage Foundation province-wide initiative to celebrate community heritage.

The Doors Open Guelph brochure, available in March, will detail information about the buildings and guided tours for each of the sites. For more information, visit the Doors Open Guelph website at www.city.guelph.on.ca/doorsopenguelph or contact Guelph Arts Council by telephone at (519) 836-3280, or e-mail gac@sentex.net.

Photos are available.

Doors Open Guelph 2003 will showcase the following fifteen local heritage buildings:

Homewood Health Centre
150 Delhi Street

Homewood was founded in 1883 as a private psychiatric hospital, using grounds and house of Donald Guthrie. In 1905 two additional buildings designed by George Miller were built, and in 1912 the original house was replaced by the Manor. Much original woodwork, glass and furniture exist in these three buildings.

Victory School
135 Exhibition Street (Enter off Clark Street)

Victory School, designed by S.B. Coon in a modified classical style, opened in 1921. One of the most attractive schools in Guelph, its light-filled classrooms on each of the two floors open onto a spacious central hall. Separate boys' and girls' entrances are located on each side of this ten-room school.

Parkview
88 London Road

This mansion built for merchant George B. Ryan in 1894 represented the pinnacle of Guelph respectability. Designed by George M. Miller, and now nearly restored to its original character, the home features a magnificent tower with conical roof, large English hall, nine fireplaces, interesting woodwork and stained glass windows.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
161 Norfolk Street (corner of Norfolk & Suffolk Streets)

St. Andrew's Church was built in 1857-58 and designed by architect William Hay, a leading advocate of the Gothic style. Although Mediaeval in form and atmosphere, the interior organization departs from mediaeval precedents with its centralized pulpit and curved pews. Fine stained-glass windows memorialize the congregation's leaders.

Allan's Distillery
(now W.C. Wood Company)
5 Arthur Street

This low limestone building, originally part of Allan's distillery, dates back to 1835. It later became part of the manufacturing plant of three successive companies - A.R. Wyatt, Taylor Forbes, and in 1955, W.C. Wood. In 1979 it was restored as the Wood company headquarters with a lunch room featuring beautifully restored wooden floors, columns and beams.

Old Quebec Street
St. George's Square
(Enter off Macdonnell Street)

Old Quebec Street represents the re-emergence of one of Guelph's original streets, Quebec Street, as a covered, pedestrian-only street in the traditional Galleria fashion. Developed by Barrel Works and designed by Paul Roth, this project will make its public debut during Doors Open Guelph 2003.

City Hall
59 Carden Street

Built in 1856-57 as a Market House and Town Hall, City Hall is considered Guelph's architectural jewel. This multi-purpose facility was designed by Canada's leading architect of the mid-19th century, William Thomas. Its complex façade featuring textured stone, sculpture, and door treatments is one of the finest in the region.

Ontario Provincial Winter Fair Building
Memorial Gardens site, Carden Street

The original Winter Fair Building is currently hidden behind the white stucco façade of the old Memorial Gardens. Constructed in 1900, the fair building hosted the city's biggest annual event and confirmed Guelph's status as the agricultural capital of Ontario.

St. James the Apostle Anglican Church
86 Glasgow Street North (enter off Paisley Street Parking Lot)

This Gothic stone church was built in 1891-2 by Anglican followers of the Oxford High Church movement. Original plans by Toronto architect Richard Windeyer were scaled down and the result was a smaller building completed by local architect John Day. Recent renovations illustrate an effective adaptation of a significant heritage structure.

Guelph Civic Museum
6 Dublin Street South

Built in 1847, this fine Georgian building served many purposes before being redeveloped in 1980 for Guelph's civic museum. On April 26, visitors will have a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes to see research facilities and several storage areas for artifacts not on display.

Bell-Carlton House
40 Albert Street

Designed and built by Matthew Bell after 1872, this house is an outstanding example of the stone builder's/sculptor's art. It is the third of several Bell houses in Guelph's Brooklyn neighbourhood, and boasts a façade with an elaborate entrance and three sculpted heads. A rear frame portion was built in 1872.

Macdonald Consolidated School
(now Macdonald Stewart Art Centre)
358 Gordon Street

The school, built in 1904, was one of several consolidated schools built in the area to provide superior education for local rural children. Funded by Montreal tobacco manufacturer Sir William Macdonald and designed by Toronto-based architect George M. Miller, the building was renovated in 1978-1980 to become the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre.

Macdonald Institute
University of Guelph

Macdonald Street (between College Avenue & Gordon Street) Established to provide domestic science education to young women, Macdonald Institute and its companion Macdonald Hall were built in 1903-04 with funds donated by Sir William Macdonald. Designed by George Miller, the Institute is Guelph's finest example of Beaux Arts classicism. Macdonald Hall is Tudor Revival with multiple front gables.

Massey Hall and Library
Fronting on Johnston Green (off College Avenue) University of Guelph

A gift of the Massey family, this pressed brick building was constructed in 1901-03 to the designs of Toronto's George M. Miller. With stylistic inventiveness, the architect combined Queen Anne and Tudor elements popular in the late Victorian era. The library's semi-elliptical desks and spectacular ceiling supports are reminiscent of early building traditions.

Guelph Turfgrass Institute
328 Victoria Road South (south of Eramosa River)

The Guelph Turfgrass Institute opened in 1993 as a joint project of University of Guelph and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. The main building, designed by local architect Karl Briestensky, has a central hall oriented towards Church of Our Lady, and incorporates post-modern design, angular lines and views to exterior surroundings.

For more information, contact:
Deborah Davis or Sally Wismer
Guelph Arts Council
147 Wyndham St N, Suite 404
Guelph, Ontario N1H 4E9
Tel: (519) 836-3280
Fax: (519) 766-9212
E-mail: gac@sentex.net