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Explore Our Heritage with Passport To The Past

June 19, 2014
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – Cornwall and the Counties Tourism will be changing up the annual discovery weekend of Doors Open for the region.

The event is now known as Passport to Our Pastand takes place this weekend: June 21-22. The event was previously held in September.

“The schedule change allows for each location to make use of summer students and volunteers, relieving much of the strain that opening their locations for the huge influx of visitors can cause when help is limited,” says Linda Wilson, Executive Director of Cornwall & The Counties Tourism.

This year, 18 historical sites and architecturally significant locations will be taking part in this year’s event (see below).

People are encouraged to take advantage of this outstanding event which allows visitors to see our region’s history in ways that are not always available throughout the year.

Admission is FREE to all.

Location maps can be picked up at the Cornwall & The Counties new visitor information centre at 691 Brookdale Avenue.

Admission is FREE to all.

Location maps can be picked up at the Cornwall & The Counties new visitor information centre at 691 Brookdale Avenue.

Participating Locations

Aultsville Train Station

  • County Road #2, Morrisburg
  • Sat. June 21st – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Visit the original Aultsville Train Station, an attractive 19th century wooden station, originally located in the Lost Village of Aultsville and used by the
  • Grand Trunk Railway Company.

Bethune Thompson House

  • 19730 John Street, Williamstown
  • Sat. June 21st – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  • This house encompasses the original 1784 “poteaux sur sol” cabin of loyalist Peter Fergueson, as well as the 1804 house of Rev. John Bethune (the first Presbyterian minister in Upper Canada) and David Thompson (one of Canada’s earliest mapmakers).

Chesley’s Inn

  • First Street East, Cornwall
  • Sat. June 21st- 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Built in 1814, Chesley’s Inn is Ontario’s oldest inn and features three beautiful guest suites with ensuite bathrooms, as well as a stunning, private two-room suite with a kitchen and bath. The elegant and historic charm of this bed and breakfast is accentuated by its location in the heart of the City of Cornwall.

Cornwall Community Museum

  • 160 Water Street West (Lamoureux Park), Cornwall
  • Sat. June 21st – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Your visit will include a 1900 kitchen filled with Cornwall’s famous Flack and Van Arsdale crocks; a study circa 1910; a 1950s Seaway-era dining room with Beach furniture and the Loyalist parlour. Make sure you don’t miss the Smithville Cornwall’s Lost Village Dance and Walk beginning Saturday at 11:00 am.

Glengarry Pioneer Museum

  • 1645 County Road #30, Dunvegan
  • Sat. June 21st- 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Tucked in the heart of this sleepy hamlet, the growing museum interprets Glengarry history dating back to the turn of the 19th century, when the United Empire Loyalists and Scottish immigrants arrived in the area to start new lives.

Historic Cornwall Jail

  • 11 Water Street West, Cornwall
  • Sat. June 21st – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • The jail closed in 2002 in favour of newer facilities in major cities, but the exercise yard, visitation area, common areas and cell blocks have been maintained. Step into a cell to experience life behind bars.

Lancaster Masonic Lodge

  • 28 South Terrace Street, Lancaster
  • Sat. June 21st- 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • The Lodge is distinguished by its unique wall coverings depicting symbols of Freemasonary andphotographs illustrating their long history.

Lost Villages Museum

  • County Road #2, Long Sault
  • Sat. June 21st – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • The Museum is a collection of 11 heritage buildings with displays depicting and telling the story of the great Hydro & Seaway projects of the 1950s.

Martintown Grist Mill

  • Dundas Street (just east of bridge), Martintown
  • Sat. June 21st- 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • The Martintown Mill was built in 1846 by Alexander McMartin. It served the community until 1947. The old mill was near collapse but has been successfully stabilized.

Nor’westers & Loyalist Museum

  • 19651 John Street, Williamstown
  • Sat. June 21st – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • The museum comprehensively depicts the story of Sir John Johnson and Loyalist followers who settled here during the American Revolution in 1784.

Raisin River Heritage Centre & Cemetery

  • County Road 18, St. Andrews West
  • Sat. June 21st – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • The Heritage Centre is the “hub” for historical information for the village of St. Andrews. Walk around this small community and visit the church and parish hall, the log church replica, the pioneer graveyard. Interpreters on site. Take this chance to explore the burial ground of the Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald, a prime minister of Canada and the first premier of Ontario, and Simon Fraser, a fur trader and explorer who died in 1862.

Sir John Johnson Manor House

  • 19692 William Street, Williamstown
  • Sat. June 21st – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • The Manor House Committee Members look forward to welcoming you to one of the oldest homes in Ontario, circa 1784. Take a walk through history on the grounds of the lovely Sir John Johnson Manor House, a National Historic Site of Canada.

South Lancaster Walking Tour

  • Sat. June 21st– 2:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 2:00 pm
  • Begins at the Wharf in South Lancaster.

St. John’s Anglican Church

  • 20788 South Service Road, Lancaster
  • Sat. June 21st – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • The church was erected on the MacLennan estate, called Ridgewood. Located on the South Service Road surrounded by the Glengarry Provincial Park and Lancaster Park, and is commonly referred to as “The Church in the Wildwood.”

St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre

  • 2500 Second Street West, Cornwall
  • Sat. June 21st – 11:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 9:00 am to 11:00 am
  • Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre is located on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River, just east of the Robert H. Saunders Generating Station, in the west end of Cornwall, Ontario.

St. Raphael’s Ruins

  • County Road #18, St. Raphaels
  • Sat. June 21st- 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • In 1970 a fire consumed the church of St. Raphaels leaving only bare stone walls. Explore the ruins of this church built in 1821, cemetery stones and the old bell.

The Great Cornwall Elephant Walk

  • Sat. June 21st – 1:00pm
  • Pommier Square (Corner of Pitt & Second Street)
  • Put on your dancing shoes and check out an interpretive way to explore our Downtown with a dance and walk.

United Counties of S.D.&G. Administration Building

  • 20 Pitt Street, Cornwall
  • Sat. June 21st – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sun. June 22nd – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • This historic building houses the administrative offices of the United Counties of S.D.&G. The stone structure was once the site of the county courthouse, gaol and gallows. Other features include the refurbished council chambers, preserved architectural features and a display about past wardens.

About Cornwall & The Counties Tourism

Cornwall & The Counties Tourism works with tourism businesses to promote Cornwall & the United Counties of Stormont Dundas and Glenggarry as a visitor and convention destination. The office provides visitors with detailed information on attractions, accommodations, shopping, dining, festivals and events.

One of the key publications developed by the Tourism office is the Travel Guide, an 80-page booklet that features information on events, attractions, and accommodations, as well as a map of the area. You can order the guide free of charge via the Request Info page on this site.

For more information on Cornwall and The Counties Tourism, please check them out online:

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