2016 marks the 13th annual Doors Open Winnipeg, a free event put on by Heritage Winnipeg that opens up buildings of historical and architectural interest to the public. Dozens of buildings and sites are available May 28-29. Volunteers offer a variety of tours. Many of the buildings remain “working” buildings rather than museums.
This year’s offerings include the Burton Cummings Theatre, Mariaggi Hotel, Government House, Red Road Lodge (the former Occidental Hotel), and the ever-popular Vaughan Street Jail.
The City of Winnipeg is getting into the act with Animal Services at 1057 Logan open for the weekend, offering a chance to visit the canine homeless.
Special events include walking tours of Downtown and the Exchange district. One tour offers a chance to find out, through the buildings in the downtown area, why Winnipeg has been the business centre for agriculture in Western Canada.
Doors Open began in Glasgow, Scotland in 1990, with dozens of countries participating within ten years, and the number of visitors hitting 20 million in 2000. After the European success, New York City, Sydney, Australia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, launched their own Doors Open programs. Doors Open came to Canada when Toronto started an annual event in 2000.
For further information see doorsopenwinnipeg.ca
