A province-wide initiative from Ontario Heritage Trust, Doors Open is a celebration of community culture, designed to create access to, awareness of and excitement about heritage. Admission to all Doors Open events is free. Residents and visitors to Burlington can explore and enjoy sometimes hidden and always interesting places and spaces including churches, museums, arts and cultural centres, municipal buildings, heritage homes and businesses.

Most sites are open to the public Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm except for churches which open later on Sunday after services.

Here is a selection of the fun and interesting things to enjoy in Burlington this weekend.

For a complete list see www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_11293_1.html and www.burlington.ca/doorsopen

Fine Art and Craft Festival at the Burlington Art Centre
On the Grounds & Inside the Burlington Art Centre
1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON., L7S 1A9

With over 100 artists and artisans in attendance, both inside and outside the Burlington Art Centre, this two-day event is a site to see. Residents of Burlington, Halton Region and beyond all look forward to this Festival, which for many is the official launch of summer.

Built in 1978, the Burlington Art Centre, designed by architect John Harkness, houses the world’s largest permanent collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics, provides gallery and studio space and features a courtyard and a conservatory.

For further information, please contact the Burlington Art Centre:
1333 Lakeshore Road Burlington ON L7S 1A9 p (905) 632-7796 f (905) 632-0278 info@burlingtonartcentre.on.ca

Antique Fire Truck - City of Burlington
426 Brant Street
Purchased by the City of Burlington in 1925 for the sum of $5, 100, this 1923 truck was used as an emergency pump at the city's public works department. It is now maintained by Burlington's Station #1 volunteer fire fighters. During Doors Open, this heritage vehicle will be displayed at Burlington City Hall.

L'Église Saint-Philippe
472 Locust Street
www.paroissestphilippe.ca
Built in 1875 by James Cushie Bent, this church was purchased in 1968 by the Roman Catholic Church to serve the francophone congregation as L'Église Saint-Philippe. The Church blends a simple Gothic Revival style – evident in the Gothic-arched windows and door – with an Italianate square tower with bulls-eye windows. All are welcome to attend French church services at 9 am & 11 am on Sunday, June 13.      

Estaminet (Emma's Backporch and The Water St. Cooker)
2084 Old Lakeshore Road
www.emmasbackporch.ca
Built around 1843 in the Georgian style, the former Estaminet restaurant, “Canada’s House of Hospitality," is the city's only remaining early-20th-century waterfront establishment. Patrons included A.Y. Jackson, Louis Armstrong, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Liberace. Heritage designation granted December 2009. Historical displays are available.

Consider having lunch here and enjoying a spectacular view of Lake Ontario.   

The Burlington Gingerbread House
1375 Ontario Street
(Sat. only 10 am to 4 pm)
This grand two-and-a-half-storey frame structure was built in Queen Anne Revival Style in 1893 by Alfred B.Y. Coleman, general contractor and lumber dealer. Coleman built several buildings in Burlington, including the Brant Hotel. The property boasts a Victorian garden with magnolia tree and fountain. Tours of the garden will be available.       

Ireland House at Oakridge Farm
2168 Guelph Line
www.museumsofburlington.com
Built between 1835 and 1837, the Ireland House was the home of Joseph Ireland, an early settler of Burlington, whose family occupied the house until 1985. In 1987, the city purchased the property, and the homestead was restored to illustrate three time periods during which three generations of Irelands lived here.

RCSCC Iron Duke
451 Elizabeth Street
Built in 1858 for the Methodist Episcopal Church, the “Iron Duke” is now the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp's hall. Named for the Duke of Wellington, the brick building was constructed in the Gothic revival style. A muzzle cover from the battleship HMS Iron Duke can be viewed here.                

Lowville School House
6207 Guelph Line
This one-room schoolhouse was built in 1889 from local fieldstone and sand on land donated by Joseph Featherstone. The woodshed is part of the original structure. Separate boys' and girls' entrances are located, unusually, on the four-bay sides. The windows retain their six-over-six panes and some original shutters.

Lowville United Church
5800 Guelph Line
www.nelsonunited.ca
Built in 1872 on lands provided by Thomas Colling, Lowville United Church has a fieldstone foundation made from orange bricks from the Bronte area. The structure is a fine example of mid-Victorian vernacular Gothic revival church architecture, featuring lancet windows with corbelled brick “eyebrow” detail and dressed limestone sills.

Enjoy light refreshments in the Tea Room on Saturday and join us for an "old fashioned" church service from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Sunday.     

St. Luke's Church
1371 Elgin Street
www.stlukesburlington.ca