[SteelTown]

Now that winter is thawing out and spring is around the corner I thought it would be a good idea to have our 1st meet and greet in Hamilton.

May 5th when is Doors Open will take place in Hamilton as well at the same time is the MayDay Spring Festival. So the plan is to meet at Ferguson Station and go around to buildings that are open for Doors Open. Eventually we’ll make our way to the MayDay Festival for drinks and food.

More information about Hamilton's Doors Open: http://www.architecturehamilton.com/tours.html

Also a couple of urban explorers will be exploring inside abandon buildings so if you want to join you can go ahead and do that, I’m not trying to promote a criminal activity or anything HA.

So if you’re interested come and meet us all at 11am May 5th at Ferguson Station (downtown), at King Street East and Ferguson St. If you need help with directions or have questions post away!

So please do come and bring along your camera!

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/F3F6BB5C-B1F1-41BE-989A-AD5F591FF87F/0/doorsOpen.jpg

May 5th - 11am @ Ferguson Station

There's a parking lot near Ferguson Station called Jarvis Square. During the weekend parking in downtown is free. GO Station is not that far away a bit of walking to do.

Places can check out:
Canadian Football Hall of Fame
Art Gallery of Hamilton
Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts
Hamilton GO Station
John Weir Foote Armoury
The Factory Hamilton Media Arts Centre
Whitehern Historic House and Garden
Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (bit of a long walk though)
Hamilton Community Energy
Mercedes Spa/Tunis Griffith Manor
Plus MANY churches like St Paul's Prebyterian Church, James Street Baptist Church, Christ's Church Cathedral, Centenary United Church, etc
Dundurn Castle (a long walk)

[matt602]

I just wanna say there will be no criminal activity on our part during the meet, we are doing that kind of thing AFTERWARDS. Even on the UE site, this meet is being organized as a Doors Open only thing with exploring afterwards. So if you come to do Doors Open tours and stuff, you can do exactly that because thats what all of us will be doing.

Of course if you're interested in our weird little hobby, bring a flashlight and some grubby clothes and stick around afterwards :)

[Jaborandi]

Are Torontions who love Hamilton welcome?

[raisethehammer]

sure...the more the better. Just don't wear an Argo's jersey.
Should be a fun day. Let's hope spring actually arrives by then.

[SteelTown]

Everyone is welcomed even if you show up with an Argo jersey.

[matt602]

... you just might get heckled and egged on King St. :)

[Border City Boy]

Hopefully count me in too... I'll make the trek up the 401/403 from Windsor.

Besides doing the Doors Open thing, how about you Hamiltonians giving us out of towners a good walk around/photography tour of downtown? I've been up to Hamilton a few times, and explored a bit, but I'd love to see the city with a local.

[SteelTown]

Now that I'm done with school I'll sit down and figure out a route to check out the most number of doors open events well exploring the downtown at the same time.

[WZ1]

Im going to make an appearance!

[matt602]

Don't worry border city boy, the meet location is right in the heart of downtown... you'll be seeing a good chunk of it, including all the popular photography locations and heritage places. We'll be heel toe'ing all around the core.

[Border City Boy]

Good stuff. Hey dumb question, what is Ferguson Station? Is is a park or bar or what? What am I looking for? :)

[SteelTown]

Ferguson Station is basically an urban square. In the past Ferguson St used to have a rail line but it closed and so the city decided to build a replica of the old Ferguson Station expect it's an open building.

Ferguson Station
http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/DB081A6E-6279-4AB0-AF62-57A265B2C1B6/0/FergusonStationThmb.jpg

It won't be hard to find the place. All you have to do is look up and see a crane over the skyline. Once you find the crane park or walk near it and right beside the crane is Ferguson Station.

[raisethehammer]

...the crane on King East. Someone might get confused if they spot the General Hospital crane and head over there looking for Ferguson Station. Then they'd really think we are liars about our town.

[SteelTown]

Oh yes yes basically look for the crane in the downtown core area. If you look too hard you'll find one crane at General Hospital, another crane at the edge of the Escarpment and one way over at McMaster.

[miketoronto]

Following is a look at the buildings in the central Hamilton area that are on the Doors Open Hamilton list. For a complete list of buildings city wide, visit the following link
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_6167_1.html

http://www.architecturehamilton.com/images/DoorsLogoTitle2007.gif

CENTRAL HAMILTON DOORS OPEN BUILDINGS

270 Sherman/Imperial Cotton Factory
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7197_3786039_Imperial-Cotton.jpg

All Saints Anglican Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7199_3726774_All-Saints.jpg

Hamilton Community Energy
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7267_1548491_Hamilton-Comm-Energy.jpg

St. Mary's Pro Cathedral
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7217_1290190_Pro-Cathedral.jpg

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7247_1534880_St-Pauls-Presbyterian.jpg

Art Gallery of Hamilton
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7231_2557951_Art-Gallery.jpg

Stewart Memorial Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/6427_2072050_Stewart-Memorial.jpg

Whitehern Historic House and Garden
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7257_1651274_Whitehern-2.jpg

Auchmar Manor and Estate
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/6421_1670256_Auchmar.JPG

Workers Arts and Heritage Centre
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7223_1667265_Workers-Art.jpg

Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7253_509001_Conservatory-for-the-Arts.jpg



Centenary United Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7273_2707426_Centenary-United.jpg

Lt.-Col. John Weir Foote, VC, CD, Armoury
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/6425_2607084_Armoury-2.jpg

Hamilton GO Centre/Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Museum
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7007_873747_THB.jpg

St. Luke's Anglican Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7293_3007780_St-Lukes-Anglican.jpg

Central Presbyterian Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7229_3228483_Central-Presbyterian.jpg

Hamilton Military Museum
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7191_2113493_Military-Museum.jpg

MacNab Street Presbyterian Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7207_3886442_MacNab-Presbyterian.jpg

Mercedes Spa/Tunis Griffith Manor
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7261_1161955_Mercedes-Spa.jpg
James Street Baptist Church
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7221_1558439_James-Street-Baptist.jpg

Christ Church Cathedral
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7227_3600615_Christ-Church.jpg

Church of the Ascension
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7225_762236_Church-of-Ascension.jpg

Dundurn National Historic Site
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/7213_528654_Dundurn.jpg

[Border City Boy]

At least you guys are having one. Windsor's has been cancelled.

They hope to have it every other year :hell:

[SteelTown]

So I take it that miketoronto and his posse is coming?

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

Hey guys, anymore room for one more person? as well, are we allowed to bring cameras with us?

Boomtown

[SteelTown]

Yes, you can come along as everybody is invited. Oh and yes you can bring your camera too, I know I will.

[miketoronto]

Some pics to spark your interest in coming to Doors Open Hamilton. Some pics are from the first Doors Open Hamilton, when I attended it.


COME EXPERIENCE THE PITTSBURGH OF THE NORTH
HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh1.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh5.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/MikeScarT/steel11.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh2.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/MikeScarT/steel12.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh3.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh7.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh8.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/MikeScarT/steel15.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh6.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh9.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/miketorontoscar/doh4.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/MikeScarT/steel5.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/MikeScarT/steel7.jpg

[CharlesMunroe]

This conflicts with the Global Marijuana March and I see Hamilton isnt taking part in that this year. Will the doors to the steel mills be open?

[matt602]

No steel mills. Some industrial properties however.

You guys are not only welcome to bring cameras, but also encouraged! Don't forget to show off the photo's afterwards :)

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

Yes, you can come along as everybody is invited. Oh and yes you can bring your camera too, I know I will.

All righty then. I have it marked down in my calender.

Thanks

[SteelTown]

One week to go. The weather has gotten warmer just hope it'll be nice and sunny.

If anyone else is interested in coming then just show up at Ferguson Station at 11am.

[miketoronto]

Don't forget. Help the enviroment out and don't be lazy. Leave the car at home and use Hamilton Street Railway, or even GO TRANSIT :)

HSR has a day pass that is good for more then one person.

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/63BDCBDD-47EB-4CDF-924A-2C326071FFDC/0/HSRlogo.gif

HSR has a special day pass that is priced at only $7.00! This pass allows unlimited travel on all regular scheduled HSR routes for a maximum of six people traveling together as a group. A group consists of: two adults and not more than four youths/children 19 years of age or under or one adult and not more than five youths/children 19 years of age or under. Call HSR Information at 905-527-4441.

[matt602]

Good post, but even still it might be advisable to bring a car if you intend to visit sites outside of the downtown area. It'll be the weekend and buses will be running as such, so you might have trouble seeing everything before they close.

If you're just coming for the downtown stuff, use GO and HSR :)

[miketoronto]

Has anyone contacted the CHTV or whatever the Hamilton news tv station is to come and interview the forumers????

I went to Doors Open Hamilton the first year they had it, and the news was at one of the buildings and actually interviewed my friend and I because we were from Toronto. We were on the evening news to prove people came from out of town :) It was funny.

[matt602]

Nice :)

I'm not sure that CH did anything on Doors Open last year, but if the turnout is good they may do something this year. I have not though of contacting the media... I'll leave that up to someone else.

[SteelTown]

So we're all still good for Saturday? It's suppose to be dry this week with no rain but it's gonna be a little chilly out.

Hope to see you all this Saturday at Ferguson Station.

I'll be the guy with blonde curly hair. I wear hearing aids so it shouldn't be hard to find me ha. I hear perfectly fine so no worries.

[raisethehammer]

wasn't there like 18,000 people at Doors Open last year??
CH doesn't cover stuff like this regardless of how large the crowd. if it was the ribbon cutting for a new box store they'd be all over it.
gonna be a beautiful weekend!! be sure to check out the Imperial Cotton Centre on Sherman North...it rocks.

[Border City Boy]

Sounds good. I'm looking forward to it.

[matt602]

As long as the weather co-operates, we're still on :)

[WaterlooInvestor]

I'm interested in going, but wouldn't be able to make it until the afternoon (2pm). Is that too late? Do you think all the good sites will have already been hit by then? Is there anyway to meet up with the group at that time? (ie. cellphone)

[Border City Boy]

As long as the weather co-operates, we're still on :)

Ok now... What would make it not on? If I'm cruising 3.5 hours up the highway t ocome, I would like to be certain it "still on" before I get there...

[flar]

Don't worry, it's on, there's a 0% chance of rain this weekend.

I don't have a cell phone, maybe someone could PM WaterlooInvestor with their phone number?

[SteelTown]

^ I'll PM him my cell number

[matt602]

Ok now... What would make it not on? If I'm cruising 3.5 hours up the highway t ocome, I would like to be certain it "still on" before I get there...

It would be on regardless, but if the weather were bad a new location would need to be picked because this one is outside.

[raisethehammer]

take a look out your window...this is what the entire weekend will be like.
sunny and 17. going to be perfect for this event.

[SteelTown]

Get a view from the inside out during Doors Open
Kevin Werner, Mountain
(May 4, 2007)

Have you ever seen the inside of a Hindu Temple?

Or how about the painted frescos behind the doors of St. Nicholas' Serbian Orthodox Church? Or have you seen the walls that contained the hub of an industrial dynamo on the former CAMCO site?

If not, then this weekend Doors Open Hamilton presents your chance to tour Hamilton's historic and modern wonders that are usually hidden behind glass, concrete and doors.

"It's free and it's a great opportunity to see a new perspective on Hamilton's history," said Donna Reid, Doors Open coordinator for the fifth year.

This year's event is the best ever, says Ms. Reid, with 59 sites ready for eager explorers, including never before seen sites such as The Powerhouse at McMaster Innovation Park, which is on the former Westinghouse/Camco site, the Hindu Samaj Temple, St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church on Barton Street, with its Serbo-Byzantine style architecture, and Memorial School on Main Street East, which was Hamilton's first war memorial highlighting the major battles of the Canadian forces in World War 1.

"Getting the Hindu Samaj Temple is a real coup," said Ms. Reid.

Ms. Reid was also impressed with the fresco iconography that dominates the St. Nicholas Church.

"It is mind-blowing," she said. "People will be blown away with the beauty."

The Doors Open event, the first one held in the area every season, continues to attract more people than ever to a growing number of popular sites. In 2002, the first time the event was held, there were 25 locations. In 2006, Doors Open Hamilton had 45 sites, attracting about 18,000 site visits.

The most popular site over the years has been Auchmar Manor and Estate, followed by St. Paul's Presbyterian Church on James Street. Auchmar, Ms. Reid said, should continue to remain a compelling visit with visitors, especially with the controversial proposal to develop the 10 acre property generating interest among residents.

The event also has the usual buildings that have proved popular among interested people, including Ancaster's Shaver Homestead, Westfield Heritage Village, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Dundurn National Historical Site, the Hamilton Military Museum, and Battlefield House Museum.

Ms. Reid said over the years the churches and other building owners have coordinated special activities during Doors Open to take advantage of the heavy pedestrian traffic that come by.

Some have an organ recital, guided tours, lectures, while others offer tea, in-house exhibitions, while the Art Gallery of Hamilton is hosting an art show.

A special lecture by Joanne McCallum, principle of the Hamilton-based architecture firm McCallum Sather, on May 3, at 7 p.m. at Hamilton city hall council chambers will be presented free to visitors. The topic will be on sustainable architecture, featuring Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

"(Churches, etc) have learned to take advantage of the people who want to see their buildings," said Ms. Reid.

This year Doors Open Hamilton will be presenting a kids program, featuring a partnership with the Hamilton Library, and providing educational information about the sites, including if it's haunted or not.

"If it inspires a child to read more about architecture, or learn about history, art or design, it will have served its purpose," said Ms. Reid.

Doors Open Hamilton sites are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 5 and 6. But some of the sites may not be open on both days, and the times may vary. Organizers ask people to check the guidebook for further information.

[Border City Boy]

Guys, I'm sorry, but I gotta bail on tomorrow. I've spent all day instailling a hardwood floor in my kitchen, and it's taking waaay longer than expected.

I've got to be around to bring the floor nailer back to Home Depot in the morning, so, that outs me out for tomorrow.

However, I am going to be in Hamilton overnight on Tuesday. I'm in town for a convention if any of you are intersted in meeting up Tuesday evening. I'm staying at the Staybridge Suites downtown.

Have a great time tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to meet up with some of you Tuesday.

[SteelTown]

^ Ah that's too bad.

Well okay I'll see you all tomorrow! Bring your camera and show up at 11am.

[matt602]

Great day and I liked meeting everyone that showed up. Sorry things weren't incredibly organized and that our group kind of split up after the churches... it's hard to keep 20 people with different agenda's together :)

We ended up wondering up James St. North and going into the armouries (which was freaking awesome). The Imperial Cotton on Sherman was kind of a let down though...

[SteelTown]

That was fun. Good to have faces on forumers instead of only see writing styles. I'm so beat right now lol walked for like 5 hrs. Plus my face is burnt! My forehead hurts.

I probably won't put up my pictures until Monday or Tuesday. Gonna load the pictures at work as it has a faster internet connection.

[WZ1]

Good time for sure, met some new people from another forum as well. Turned my head for a second and half the group was gone. Never the less I will post pics later.

[flar]

It was good to meet you guys. The Doors Open even was excellent, we got to see a lot of stuff.