this weekend is 'doors open toronto', an annual event dedicated to the city's architectural heritage. the program allows the people of the city free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee.
one of the new venues this year is the "De La Salle College 'Oaklands', an independent co-educational Catholic school in Toronto, Ontario. It is operated by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools as a university preparatory institution in the Roman Catholic tradition as founded by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle in Reims, France, 1679 AD. It offers instruction from grades 5 through 12." - wikipedia.org
the one structure that interested me in visiting this location was the original mansion built by a successful merchant, the construction of which started in 1860. the mansion is situated on a hill that overlooked lake ontario five kilometres to the south. the mansion and part of its surrounding property were in the 1900's sold to the McCormicks of chicago, whose farm implement business evolved to become International Harvester.
the property was called "oaklands" due to the splendid abundance of oak trees in the area. the oak trees on the campus really make for a conducive place for relaxing and studying. it was hot and humid today, but walking on the grassy grounds, underneath the canopy of oak and maple leaves, provided much relief to the visitors.
this shot is of an etched glass panel of the door leading from the auditorium of the main school building and from where one can have a view of the treed grounds and the old mansion.
-o0o-
many thanks for your visits and your comments. they are much appreciated.
@olivetreeann - thank you, ann. yes, except for that coloured reflection in the centre, it looks like a b/w shot.
@pamfromcalgary - it was a really beautiful place and am so glad i went in there. the mansion, when the brothers purchased the property and built the main school building, was used as a resident for the brothers. i was amazed that they let the public just go in and browse. well, there were students all over the place to keep watch. thank you, pam.
@karenann - thank you, karenann. it's true, there's so much to see here, it's just a matter of having the time. i'm now beginning to go to the 'out of the way' or the not so obvious places and find hidden beauty.
@steeler - thank you, howard. yes, "doors open" events are just that, great opportunity to take a peek at the city's history. run down buildings, no matter how old they smell, they seem to scream their greatness in the past and makes one imagine what it would have been like to walk through those halls.
@espyetta - thank you, MB. yes, this door is from the main school building. and yes, i got to see the inside of the mansion - 700 photos was all i took. most of them are probably rubbish but i know there were more than a few really good ones. would have to find a way to post them here.
@sanera - hi, sam. thank you. have you ever been to one of the doors open event in toronto? it is one of the best events a city could have.
Beautiful simplicity. Love the lighting. I also like the idea that the city is doing. What a great concept. Really gives a chance for the people to have a better connection with the city they live in.
June 8th, 2012
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@pamfromcalgary - it was a really beautiful place and am so glad i went in there. the mansion, when the brothers purchased the property and built the main school building, was used as a resident for the brothers. i was amazed that they let the public just go in and browse. well, there were students all over the place to keep watch. thank you, pam.
@vikkigm - thank you, vikki.
@steeler - thank you, howard. yes, "doors open" events are just that, great opportunity to take a peek at the city's history. run down buildings, no matter how old they smell, they seem to scream their greatness in the past and makes one imagine what it would have been like to walk through those halls.
@cscecil - thank you, CS.
@sanera - hi, sam. thank you. have you ever been to one of the doors open event in toronto? it is one of the best events a city could have.