http://doorsopenwinnipeg.ca/index.php
Doors Open Winnipeg
Heritage Winnipeg will be presenting our 9th annual Doors Open Winnipeg event. A free annual event that celebrates Winnipeg’s unique spaces and architecture. The event will take place on the weekend of May 26th & 27th and will showcase approximately 80 remarkable buildings/sites.
In addition to introducing the public to Winnipeg’s architecture, history and culture, Doors Open Winnipeg, which boasts 250,000 site visits since 2004, has also brought an influx of visitors over the weekend, creating valuable economic spin-offs in the retail and hospitality sectors. It is an exciting opportunity for community involvement, with over 400 volunteers lending their time and passion to this event.
About Doors Open
Doors Open originated in France in the mid-1980s and has since been held in cities such as New York City, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro. The Doors Open idea came to Canada in 2000 when Toronto held its first annual Doors Open, attracting 76,000 visits to over 90 buildings. Doors Open attracts not only tourists, but residents of Winnipeg and Manitoba who are interested in learning the history of many architecturally stunning and historically significant buildings.
We are excited to continue two new initiatives. Storytelling which will bring to life the history behind the buildings, sharing stories about the railroad, big business in the Exchange District, and the development of the city. Storytellers will be at the various buildings throughout the City. In addition we are proud to continue with the Doors Open Winnipeg Awards, the first of its kind in Canada. Visitors have the chance to vote for their favourite buildings. Winners will receive a spectacular award created by a local artist at a media event in June.
The Old House Revival Company is located in one of Winnipeg’s historic warehouses. This warehouse was originally built in 1914 for Fort Garry Dyers and Cleaners Limited. The building remained vacant for a number of years until it became Peter’s Auction House in 1962. The warehouse was sold in 2002 to the present owner who has restored this building with wonderful charm and creativity. Many architectural items saved from demolished buildings and homes in Winnipeg have been incorporated into the restoration of the warehouse. It now houses The Old House Revival Company, where it showcases heritage decorating and architectural materials. The Old House Revival Company has become a destination for a growing number of Winnipeggers who are looking for that unique find when restoring their homes. In 2007, the second and third stories were restored and opened as an upscale antique mall, offering a wide variety of antique and vintage items.
Originally a furniture manufacturing warehouse built in 1910, 618 Arlington has been artistically restored.
Visit and see how a wonderful historical building has been reinvented.
Designed for the Canadian Bank of Commerce by national architects Darling and Pearson, this magnificent structure has been preserved and renamed the Millennium Centre. The building features a monumental granite and marble banking hall capped with a stained-glass dome 15 metres above.
Also participating is the Costume Museum of Canada. The Museum will be presenting “Wedding Gowns: From Victorian Times to the Millennium” Wedding shows have always been a highlight with audiences and we hope that you will be delighted to see even more of these beautiful gowns from our extensive collection. Come out to see this double feature – one of Winnipeg’s early banks and several young ladies dream gowns. Guided tours start at 11:15 am and depart every 30 minutes; thirty people per group for 25-minute tours. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the main, third and fourth floors, as well as the basement. No pre-booking; first come first served. Last tour begins at 4:00 pm.
