Kincardine, Huron-Kinloss sites part of Bruce County Doors Open this weekend

If you can't wait for Bruce Power’s summer bus tour program to kick off this summer, you can take a bus tour of the site before the regular tours start in July, during Bruce County Doors Open this weekend.

The event, part of Bruce County's 150th anniversary, and the Canada 150 celebrations, runs Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 11, from 1-4 p.m.
 

The doors to the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre will be open alongside other local attractions, such as the Kincardine Lighthouse and Inverhuron Pioneer Cemetery, for this no-charge event. In addition to exhibit-hall browsing and hourly film presentations, narrated bus tours of the Bruce Power site will depart from the visitors’ centre at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. both days.

Pre-registration is recommended for bus tours as space is limited, and guests are able to reserve up to 10 spaces for friends and family members. Simply select your preferred date and time, number of guests and the required information for each visitor, including each participant’s full name, age and home address. Visitors over the age of 18 require government-issued photo identification, while those under 18 without photo ID must be accompanied by an adult who can vouch for their identity.

Click here for more information and to register.

Sites in Kincardine and Huron-Kinloss Township are featured in the Doors Open event.

KINCARDINE

Kincardine Lighthouse, 236 Harbour Street, Kincardine
kyc.ca

This unique, octagonal wooden lighthouse is just steps from downtown. The Kincardine Yacht Club operates the lighthouse as a maritime museum during the summer months. Tours include the keeper’s quarters and the tower up to the light; and interesting artifacts and memorabilia related to Kincardine’s sailing past are displayed throughout. Check the website for year-round webcam views!

Bruce Power Visitors' Centre, 3394 Bruce County Road 20, Kincardine

brucepower.com
 

Explore the world of nuclear energy at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre. It has more than 40 exhibits and displays, offers tours of the simulated reactor and control room, and from the deck provides an impressive view of Canada's first commercial nuclear station – the world's largest power development. Visiting the centre is a must-see, hands-on, fun and informative experience.  Bus tours of the site will be available all weekend!

Inverhuron Pioneer Cemetery, 19 Jordan Road, Inverhuron
 

Step back in time and wander through overgrown trees and hilly terrain while exploring this cemetery, located just inside the gates to Inverhuron Provincial Park, where headstones tell the stories of area pioneers. Continue your stroll further along to the Gate House, where you can explore displays of archaeological artifacts. Sturdy footwear is strongly advised at this site.

Kincardine Points of Interest:

• Paddy Walker House, 235 Harbour Street, Kincardine

• Kincardine Branch Library, 727 Queen Street, Kincardine

• Dr. Secord Monument, 727 Queen Street, Kincardine

HURON-KINLOSS TOWNSHIP

St. Luke's Anglican Church, 403 Alice Street, Point Clark
 

St. Luke’s Anglican Church was built in 1862 in the small community of Lurgan, the northern part of what is now known primarily as Point Clark. It was built out of the pine trees cleared from the lot and is said to be a replica of the builder’s parish church in his English hometown. Lurgan was founded by Captain Henry C. Gamble and at one time had its own post office, a one-room schoolhouse, several houses and a bit of industry. Captain Gamble returned to his hometown in Ireland after the community failed to prosper. The church and cemetery overlook Pine River and can only be accessed over a tree covered bridge. Most of Lurgan and Pine River’s early pioneers are buried here. The parish hall, which opened in 1952, was built at the foot of the hill, below the church. It was built for Sunday School and community gathering purposes. The church, cemetery and hall are still active today.

Point Clark Lighthouse, 530 Lighthouse Road, Point Clark

huronkinloss.com/point_clark_lighthouse.cfm
 

The Point Clark Lighthouse is a National Historic Site and was one of the first “Imperial towers” to flash its light. Six of these majestic towers were built by John Brown on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in the 1850s. Built of limestone from nearby Inverhuron, the Point Clark Lighthouse stands 26.5 metres (80 feet) high. In 2009, the Point Clark Lighthouse was honoured to be one of six chosen from across Canada to decorate a postage stamp. The Lighthouse was acquired by Parks Canada in 1967 to commemorate the vital role of lighthouses in navigation on the Great Lakes. The lightkeeper’s dwelling, built at the same time as the lighthouse, is now operated as a museum by the Township of Huron-Kinloss.

Bruce Botanical Food Gardens, 62 Park Street, Ripley

bbfg.org
 

The Bruce Botanical Food Gardens ... A RARE EXPERIENCE! This is not your typical country garden experience. Bedspring fencing, wire spool tables, tractor seat stools and reclaimed items throughout are surrounded by more than 10,000 food plants all grown using natural, sustainable methods. Construction began on these non-profit gardens in June, 2012, and the organization is entering its fifth year dedicated to showcasing hundreds of rare, endangered, and heirloom food plants from around the globe, all in a park-like setting. Although it is a tourist attraction set in a small rural community, it also offers its bounty of fresh, healthy, safe, nutritious food to all who visit at the cost of a donation. Take a sideroad on your journey and tour the Backforty to experience this unusual place.

Lucknow Town Hall/HAWK Theatre, 526 Campbell Street,  Lucknow
 

In 2007, members of the surrounding communities envisioned a local theatre opportunity in the upper auditorium of the building. The theatre group, HAWK, sponsors two theatre productions annually, drawing on local talent in stage and music. The adult production is featured in May and a youth production in late November. With assistance from the Township of Huron-Kinloss, HAWK Theatre has turned the upper auditorium into an accessible and comfortable venue for local theatre entertainment. The group has performed numerous plays featuring Canadian and local writers. The youth productions have taken on a bold perspective involving children of all ages and numbers. “Alice in Wonderland” and the “Wizard of Oz” are examples of the youth accomplishments.

Huron-Kinloss Points of Interest:

• Erie Belle Boiler, Boiler Beach, Access at Boiler Beach Road and Huronville Street

• Ripley Heritage Mural, 48-56 Queen Street, Ripley

• Lewis Trail/Lewis Settlement Cemetery, East end of Park Street, Ripley

• Paul Henderson Mural, 648 Campbell Street, Lucknow

For a complete list of the Bruce County sites on the Doors Open tour, check the website at: www.brucecounty150.ca/events/doors-open-2017