By Karis He
The annual Doors Open event in Burlington is set for Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, and offers visitors and locals alike special access to some of our city’s fascinating buildings. Free to attend, five local gems will welcome the public for a deeper dive into heritage and culture.
This year, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants can visit Appleby United Church, the Burlington Model Railway Club, BurlingtonGreen’s Eco-Hub, Masjid Halton, and St. Luke’s Anglican Church.
Families with young kids can take advantage of engaging interactive activities at two locations: BurlingtonGreen, at 1094 Lakeshore Rd., will be offering eco-activities suitable for all ages, and St. Luke’s will have craft activities for young participants.
Older kids and adults can appreciate the historical details of BurlingtonGreen’s Pump House location, built in 1909 in the Beaux Arts style, and which has previously served as a private residence after its inception as a waterworks system.
St. Luke’s, at 1382 Ontario St., dates back even earlier. Built in 1834 on a parcel of land donated by Elizabeth Kerr, Joseph Brant’s daughter, and Augustus Bates, St. Luke’s will hold tours of both the church itself and its cemetery for Doors Open.
And who doesn’t enjoy a model train? Visit the Burlington Model Railway Club at 1137 Hidden Valley Road during Doors Open to enjoy the three model railway layouts that will be running for the event, as long as the weather is fair. The building itself previously served as a swimming pool office and change house.
Masjid Halton invites the community in during Doors Open, to learn more about this centre for prayer, learning, and recreation. The Muslim community came together to help the Halton Islamic Association establish Masjid Halton at 4310 Fairview St.; they are currently working to establish a North Burlington Islamic Centre as well.
Last but not least, Appleby United Church, which is celebrating 200 years in Burlington, is welcoming the community to its current home, located at 4407 Spruce Ave. The Spruce Ave. church was built in 1959; prior to that, other buildings housed Appleby United’s congregation. For Doors Open, participants can view artifacts from the previous homes of Appleby United, including a stained-glass window and a communion table, explore the Wall of History, and enjoy some light refreshments.
In addition to being an annual event, Doors Open Burlington is a celebration of the local spirit that connects both residents to Burlington’s architectural and historical heritage. Whether you are an enthusiast for architecture, history, or culture, or you are simply looking for an enjoyable weekend with friends and family, Doors Open Burlington offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Burlingtonians and the places that are special to them.
Set a reminder on your calendars for Aug. 10 and get ready to explore Burlington’s hidden treasures. See the Doors Open Ontario Burlington website for more details.
