Doors Open Ontario opens these places to the public once a year, often for the first time. Today it was our town's turn.
Altona Mennonite Meeting House
Built by pioneers who emigrated from Pennsylvania, this 1852 brick meeting house with plastered walls has never been renovated. It still contains its original unpainted pine pews and floor. The backs of some of these pews are made from a single board of wood, and the pews themselves are constructed with mortise and tenon joints.
The cemetery is the burial place of the town founder, Abraham Stouffer, and his wife and family.
Fire and Emergency Services Station
A fire brigade was formed in the Village in 1898, followed in 1900 by the construction of the first fire hall. The present Fire Hall was built in 1965, and there's a new one currently under construction to be completed in January 2010.
WhiStle Radio (CIWS 102.7 FM)
Founded in 2008, our town radio station, WhiStle Radio, is located in a 1930s store (originally a menswear and shoe shop) attached to the front of an 1860s Main Street house. The station uses 21st-century computer technology to generate, broadcast and webcast radio from hand-built studios. Volunteer-operated, community-based radio in action!
I even got interviewed live on the air about which Doors Open sites I had been to!More about Doors Open Ontario in my next post.
I love the Altona Mennonite Meeting House it must have been a treat to get to go inside of this historic bulding. I don't think there are any trees left that are big enough to make planks likes that anymore. Great shots. Lloyd and Ranger
ReplyDeleteThe meeting house is amazing and looks brand new!
ReplyDeleteYes, the meeting house looks amazing, so simple and still so new and fresh! These "open door" events are really nice! We have the same in Paris - in September.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! I would love to see that Meeting House.
ReplyDeleteLittle Helena is doing well. Really looking forward to seeing her again at the end of the week.
How are your little'uns?
You look very important in that photo....the meeting house is wonderful and I remember those terms...mortise and tenon...from DIY!
ReplyDeleteIf we had open Doors Open in America those places would be robbed blind...lol!
ReplyDeleteNice meeting house. You look like you mean business in your radio picture.
ReplyDeleteCool! What a neat idea - doors open! I like that meeting room, looks almost brandnew! So much history. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat meeting house is BEAUTIFUL! And the Benches are truly amazing....! Is it Altona or Altoona? I only ask because it was a group from Pennsylvania and there is an "Altoona", PA.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about Doors Open, too busy buying appliances!
ReplyDeleteI've wandered around the outside of the Meeting House and looked through the windows. I could have sworn someone was watching me.
Thank you for getting back to me on that...Wouldn't it be interesting though if those Penn Menonites were originally from Altoona? I know nothing about the History of the Menonites...But it might be interesting to check that out.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Stouffville for recognizing they ought to keep it's heritage sites in good condition.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool radio station. ;-) I didn't know Stouffville had one. But what do I know?
I wish I could have heard that radio interview!
ReplyDeleteA happy snap of you! Now I know who to look for at the airport!
ReplyDeletedid anyone record your radio interview so that we might listen to it?
ReplyDeletelove meeting houses, and altona's is a special gem among them.