See inside buildings you've always wondered about during 'Digital Doors Open Timmins-Porcupine'
Every year, the Ontario Heritage Trust works with communities throughout the province to open up unique and fascinating cultural sites so that the public can explore and learn about the history behind closed doors.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the Timmins Museum and the Municipal Heritage Committee is working with the group to present 'Digital Doors Open Timmins-Porcupine.'
Museum curator, Karen Bachmann said people are naturally curious and they walk by buildings every day questioning what goes on inside them.
"So I think this gives you a great opportunity to go and have a snoop."
Bachmann said it's a concept that began in France in the eighties and the province picked it up in 2000.
Each year, different locations are selected and she said, all of them can be viewed online via the Doors Open Ontario website.
There are currently fifteen locations in the Timmins area featured on it.
“There’s a fantastic video on the McIntyre Arena that takes you through the arena plus through all the rat holes and all of the secret areas of the McIntyre that you wouldn’t be able to see. The Croatian Hall is part of it this year; the Greek Orthodox Church is part of it."
And, if there is a building or landmark you want to know more about, but it no longer exists, the Timmins Public Library might be able to help you find information about it.
"I have a microfilm reader that’s set up right now showing one of the old newspapers which is the Porcupine Advance. It goes back to 1912 and covers up to 1950. It is also also all digitized online so you can access it anywhere from around the world," said Karina Douglas-Takayesu, a reference librarian.
More than a dozen other municipalities are also included on the 'Doors Open Ontario' website including North Bay, Thunder Bay and Barrie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.