Doors Open Barrie: a whirlwind tour of all that Barrie culture has to offer

Barrie Art Club displays its seasonal creativity during Doors Open Barrie tour in this file photo. CTVNEWS/BARRIE

Doors Open Barrie offers residents and visitors a chance to explore landmarks and hidden stories across our city.

Doors Open Barrie is hosted by the City of Barrie, the city’s Heritage Committee, and Tourism Barrie, in partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust.

An Ontario Heritage Trust program, Doors Open Ontario invites communities across the province to open the doors, gates, and courtyards of unique and fascinating cultural sites.

Everyone’s welcome to explore unique architecture and discover the stories and places that make Barrie special.

Participants are encouraged to visit one or many of the attractions between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday:

• Aardvark Learning Academy: Learn how to create Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) and create your own masterpiece.
• Am Shalom Congregation: Join their weekly Shabbat services from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a community potluck luncheon.
• Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal: Tour the new facility and enjoy heritage and public art installations.
• Barrie Art Club: Enjoy painting demonstrations, get a tour of the building, and learn about the club’s history.
• Barrie Fire & Emergency Service Headquarters: This building features contemporary architecture and a museum of heritage emergency equipment.
• Barrie Mosque: Interactive guided tours will be offered every hour, as well as free refreshments.
• Barrie Public Library (downtown branch): Enjoy free Culture Days programming including Chinese dance and Brazilian dance workshops.
• Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus: Meet community officers and tour parts of the building.
• Barrie Visitor Information Centre: Visit a historical building and check out information on local attractions.
• Barrie YMCA: Join a special event marking one year until opening. Explore the YMCA’s history exhibit and enjoy interactive family activities and program demonstrations.
• Canadian Musicians Co-operative: Tour the facility and enjoy free vocal coaching sessions.
• Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum: Guides will offer tours and explain the exhibits.
• MacLaren Art Centre: Enjoy Culture Days programming and tours.
• Meridian Place: Take a walking tour of downtown starting at 1 p.m., led by the Barrie Historical Archive.
• Military Heritage Park: Visit the park, learn about military history from a Heritage Committee member, and try piping and drumming with Barrie Pipes and Drums.
• St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church: Learn about the history and future of the church and tour the space.
• Trinity Anglican Church: Tour the space, learn about Trinity’s long history in Barrie, and enjoy its elaborate wood carvings, historic plaque markings and stained-glass windows.

This year’s Doors Open event is part of Barrie’s Culture Days programming.