Free trolley rides downtown part of Doors Open Peterborough on May 5
Annual open house event to feature tours of city’s industrial past, inside look at Lift Lock
Free trolley rides will be offered in downtown Peterborough as part of this year’s Doors Open Peterborough events.
The free event, with 12 free open house events with a focus this year on the city’s industrial history, will take place May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The events will also include a downtown walking tour with local historians Elwood Jones and David Willcock exploring the industrial heritage of Jackson Creek. There will be only two tours during the day, starting at Confederation Square.
A similar tour will be offered on the industrial history of East City.
A converted trolley, from Town Trolley based out of Little Britain, will provide free rides for Doors Open participants throughout the downtown, departing from Confederation Square between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Electric streetcars were developed by Canadian General Electric and were an important part of Peterborough’s early industry. Peterborough used them as public transit near the turn of the 20th century, adding to city’s nickname of The Electric City, before being phased out later on as buses became more easily available.
Behind-the-scenes tours of the iconic Peterborough Lift Lock hydraulic boat lift will also be offered. But space is expected to be limited and the last tour occurs at 2:30 p.m.
A tour of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Hunting and Fishing Heritage centre on Guthrie Dr. will also be offered where people can see a collection of Canadian wildlife displays and antique lure and decoy exhibits among much more.
The Comstock and Kaye Life Celebration centre, which is located in an 1882 building, will also have tours about its history and work done today.
Peterborough Transit will offer free bus passes for Doors Open visitors. The city is partnering with the 2018 Shifting Gears Challenge to encourage people to cycle to participating Doors Open sites this year. Bus passes and maps outlining a suggested cycling route will be available at all participating sites.
NOTE: The Doors Open Ontario website is at www.doorsopenontario.on.ca