Get a peek at historic buildings in Halton Hills during Doors Open

Halton Hills is throwing its Doors Open this weekend as part of the program that gives people the chance to peek behind the curtain at local heritage properties.

Local residents will get a chance to take an in-depth look at nearly two dozen buildings in Georgetown, Acton and surrounding communities.

Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide heritage tourism program that gives the public free access to explore fascinating heritage properties all across Ontario. It showcases the buildings, natural spaces, infrastructure and cultural landscapes that shape and define our communities.

“As Halton Hills celebrates its 50th anniversary, come and see some of the incredible locations that make this town unique,” said a spokesperson.

“Several communities make up the Town of Halton Hills, and each one has something special to offer. Whether it’s a blacksmith shop, a church or an old town hall, there is so much history here. Come and help us celebrate these communities by exploring this town with us.”

This year, the province-wide theme will be adaptive reuse, showcasing heritage sites that have been repurposed to best serve their communities, while retaining their heritage attributes.

The event is running Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the town website here.

Here’s a list of participating locations.

Acton Town Hall Centre

The 1883 Acton Town Hall is an example of a Victorian Italianate style building. It provided a town council chamber, offices for the mayor, clerk, fire department and town constable, plus two jail cells.

Caretaker’s Cottage

This simple one-storey frame cottage dates from the 1840s. In 1888, it was moved from the site of the current Norval Presbyterian Manse, once home to Lucy Maud Montgomery, to its present site where it served as the cottage for the caretaker of the nearby Presbyterian Church property.

Devereaux House

This quintessential 19th-century Ontario Gothic revival farmhouse was saved from demolition and restored by a group of local citizens. Decorated to the early 1900s, the main floor is now available as a venue for meetings and intimate family celebrations.

Georgetown Armoury

Built in 1866, The Old Armoury was Canada’s last functioning drill hall from that era. This post-and-beam structure was moved here in 1890 and served as a drill hall until 1997.

Georgetown Lawn Bowling Club

Hidden away in the park district of Georgetown you will find a log cabin. This little gem was built circa 1843 in Chinguacousy Township, but was moved to its current location in 1917 to serve as the clubhouse for the Georgetown Lawn Bowling Club.

Georgetown Little Theatre

The original 1850 building on this site was rented by the township to serve as the town hall until 1925 when the township bought the building. Remodelled in 1948, it remained the township office until 1962.

Georgetown Masonic Lodge

The current Masonic lodge building was completed in 1969 by the Masons of Halton Hills. It has served many purposes throughout its life, including being a home for the local county court.

Glen Williams Town Hall

A brick community hall was built here in 1871. The board started annual Canada Day celebrations as a thank-you to the community. Lucy Maud Montgomery produced and directed plays here in the 1920s and 1930s.

Istiqlal Islamic Centre of Toronto

This former church keeps the site’s religious history alive since being started as a Presbyterian Church in 1878.

Kirkpatrick Blacksmith Shop

Built in 1857, the Kirkpatrick Blacksmith Shop is an example of post-and-beam construction. Named for Sid Kirkpatrick, Limehouse’s last blacksmith, the shop features set-back, white-washed walls, stone floors, wooden rafters, support beams and the original forge with an interior portion of the chimney intact.

Knox Presbyterian Church (Acton)

The inaugural service was held here in 1895. The pipe organ was installed in 1925. A 1970 addition made room for a minister’s office.

Limehouse Conservation Area

Discover the geological heart of the area known as the “Hole in the Wall,” where a ladder leads to cracks in the escarpment rock. Experience the past as you walk by remnants of the lime industry, including huge lime kilns and the old powder house.

Limehouse Memorial Hall

Limehouse Memorial Hall was built in 1876 as a Methodist church. After the old stone church closed, the site was purchased in 1945 by the Limehouse Women’s Institute and renamed Limehouse Memorial Hall in memory of those who served in the First and Second world wars.

Limehouse Presbyterian Church

This historical church was completed in 1861 next to the adjacent cemetery. The exterior wood siding, the six stained-glass windows, oak pews and pine plank floors are all original. The post-and-beam horse shed was built to protect the horses from the weather.

Mackinnon Funeral Home (Sunderland Villa)

The Sunderland Villa was built as a home for prominent Acton citizen W.H. Storey in 1879. In 1920, it was sold to the Great War Veterans Association and served as a boarding house to house war veterans. It was later converted into a funeral home in 1937.

Scotsdale Farm

This former breeding farm for Arabian horses and beef cattle is a working farm, on 531 acres. The Bruce Trail and the Bennett Heritage Trail cross the property, which is designated by the United Nations as a World Biosphere Reserve.

St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church Acton

Saint Alban the Martyr was built in 1875, but they only got electric lights in 1899, a year after the bell tower was installed. In 1951, the parish hall was built.

St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church Glen Williams

St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church was founded in 1902 on land donated by Rose Ann McMaster. It remained a mission of Georgetown until 1958 when it became a self-supporting parish.

St. John’s Anglican Church

St. John’s Anglican Church is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the historical village of Stewarttown. It is also one of the oldest churches in Halton Region – being built around 1840.

St. Paul’s Anglican Parish Hall

The simple St. Paul’s Anglican Parish Hall was built in 1927 adjacent to the nearby church. Today, it is known as Norval Studios & Gallery and is occupied by several local artists.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

Religious services were held in the Norval area by travelling missionaries as early as 1830. In 1845, it was decided a church should be built. This simple wooden church was soon constructed. It remains an active site for today’s congregation.

St. Stephen’s Church and Cemetery

In 1836, John Cowin, an Irish-Anglican immigrant, donated the original acre of land on which this wood-frame church was to be built. The main body of the church was ready for services in 1837. In later years, a chancel and vestry were added, and the peaceful churchyard was laid out in 1847.