Wellington North will open the doors to some of the township’s most intriguing and charming cultural and heritage sites in the area.
On Sept. 27, the township invites everyone to celebrate Culture Days and experience these treasures first hand, including a number of sites commemorating the centennial anniversary of the First World War and the Village of Arthur’s designation as “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village.”
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. This year’s theme for Doors Open Ontario – Remembering the First World War: Ontario in transition – allows Ontario communities to showcase the people, places and events that helped shape Ontario before, during and after the Great War.
“We are delighted to host our first Doors Open event,” said April Marshall, tourism, marketing and promotions manager. “We have 19 sites participating that will have free admission and be open from 10am to 4pm.”
Hosted by Wellington North’s Cultural Roundtable, the event is an opportunity to meet the Belgian owners of the Arthur Greenhouses who will help participants explore the First World War from the Belgian perspective. Exhibits tell the story of building a pontoon bridge across the Scheldt and provide background on the part Belgium played during the Great War. Visitors can also view the large murals erected in the Village of Arthur paying homage to their heritage and learn about the designation. They will also learn the Arthur cenotaph is the first fieldstone monument built in Ontario and will be taken back in time to a one-room school house as it would have looked during the First World War at the South Luther School.
Several religious institutes invite participants to follow the history of their churches’ and members’ involvement in the Great War through exhibits and tours. The Wellington County Library branches in Arthur and Mount Forest will aid in searching ancestry databases and an array of artifacts pertaining to this time period will be on exhibit at the Arthur and Area Historical Rooms and Mount Forest Museum and Archives.
“Residents and visitors alike will enjoy learning more about our communities culture and heritage … and understand first-hand our area’s contribution to one of the deadliest conflicts in history that paved the way for major political changes,” Marshall added.
Download maps at doorsopenontario.on.ca or cutluredays.ca.
