Overview

Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide heritage tourism program that gives the public free access to explore fascinating heritage properties across Ontario. It showcases the buildings, natural spaces, infrastructure and cultural landscapes that shape and define our communities. Hosting Doors Open Ontario in your community celebrates its identity, generates volunteerism, builds interest in Ontario's heritage and drives cultural tourism and economic development opportunities. Participating sites offer free admission to the public and can include museums, places of worship, public, cultural or institutional buildings, private businesses, trails and natural areas. In 2023, the province-wide theme is Food - exploring Ontario's historical traditions of food production as well as the spaces that shape and define our culinary traditions today. Harry and I visited this city several years ago and enjoyed the architecture. I was thrilled to go with my sister, Shirley, and her husband, Edward to visit this city once again. The Railway Station was constructed for the Grand Trunk Railway in 1907 to supplement the 1858 Junction Station (erected in 1858) at the extreme northeast part of town which was an inconvenient location for many local railway customers. This was the third depot on the line at St. Marys. It functions today as a VIA Rail and GO station and is home to the St. Marys Station Gallery, which gives exposure to local artists who reflect the character of the community. This Romanesque Revival Town Hall building was built in 1891 of local limestone with red sandstone as the contrasting elements for window arches and checker-board effects in the facade. In 1904, the Carnegie Foundation awarded the town a grant of $10,000 to build a public library. The two-story building at 14 Church Street is awaiting restoration. Riverwalk Commons at 84 Water Street South has been restored and is used for community events. Thames River and Trout Creek are suitable for canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and small boats with outboard motors. We enjoyed the beauty of the water environment. The combination of limestone buildings, a scenic location in the river valley, a physically intact downtown, and the large number of well-preserved historical buildings combine to give St. Marys a distinct feel and charm in the Heritage Conservation District. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is located at 386 Church Street South. The St. Marys Museum is located in the largest residence in the area when it was built in 1854. On of the exhibits is the history of Eaton's. You won't want to miss the Tolpuddle Martyrs story. Cadzow Park is adjacent to the museum. We were able to visit five churches in St. Marys: United, St. James Anglican, First Baptist, Presbyterian, and Holy Name of Mary Catholic. This Junction Station was built as the main railway depot for St. Marys and area. It is located at the northeastern point of the town's boundaries. Today it is home to Broken Rail Brewing.

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