Doors Open Winnipeg Awards
Heritage Winnipeg is very proud to present the 3rd annual Doors Open Winnipeg Awards. The Awards component of Doors Open Winnipeg continues to be a unique and exciting addition to the event. Visitors have the chance to vote for their favourite buildings. Winners will receive a spectacular award created by a local artist at a media event in June 2013. You may vote in following categories:
- Best Restoration
- Best Tour
- Best Architecture
- Best Overall Experience
- The Hidden Gem
Voting Instructions
- Each visitor is entitled to submit ONE ballot for the entire weekend – Ballots are available at every building
- On each ballot there are five categories – Each visitor may choose one name for each category
- You may name the same building and/or event in more than one category
- When voting please write the building or event name in the category – do not use ditto marks or other
- Please place your completed ballot in the ballot box after your last Doors Open 2013 visit
- Voting closes at 5:00 pm Sunday, May 26, 2013
2012 Doors Open Awards Results
The 2nd Annual Doors Open Winnipeg Awards was held in the nationally historic Exchange District at the Winnipeg Free Press News Café at 237 McDermot on Thursday, June 14th, 2012. The unique award was created by local artist Jordan van Sewell and for the second year, the public had the opportunity to vote for their favorite sites We are proud to continue with the Doors Open Winnipeg Awards, the first of its kind in Canada.
Best Restoration – Barber House, located at 99 Euclid
Barber House is one of Winnipeg’s oldest homes. The story of Barber House is an epic one of perseverant tough-as-nails survival, as this former house of pioneer journalist and businessman E.L. Barber has survived several fires over the years. As those connected to the House like to say, the grand old lady was too tough to destroy. The endurance and recent restoration of the Barber House is a metaphor for the endurance and current rehabilitation of the entire Point Douglas neighbourhood.
Best Tour – Manitoba Law Courts, located at 408 York Avenue
Those participating in the guided 45-minute tour from the Law Courts got a chance to see the beautiful interior spaces of some of the highest courts in Manitoba. In addition to seeing Courtroom 330 (the Manitoba Court of Appeal) and Courtroom 210 (the Court of Queen’s Bench), those on the tour visited the Great Library. Hundreds of visitors nervously interacted with Courtroom 210: kids and adults alike, enjoyed sitting in the chairs of the judges, counsel and jury. While sheepish at first, more than a few put on a stern face and mimicked the motion of slamming a gavel down for silence. The tour guides patiently pointed out that Canadian justices do not use gavels. The engaging tour guides and rich symbolism of the building ensured that no one will soon forget the Law Courts.
Best Overall Experience – Historical Museum of St. James, located at 3180 Portage Avenue.
Winnipegers were invited to return to a time past at the St. James Museum….and they did…and they loved it! Visitors were able to visit the three historical buildings on site: The William Brown Red River Frame House (constructed waaaaay back in 1856), the historic Municipal Hall, and the Display Building housing artifacts of blacksmithing, farming and transportation. In the William Brown House, trained Actors transported visitors back to early Manitoba pioneer life in late 19th century. For the second year in a row, Winnipegers have let Doors Open and the St. James Museum know that they love the site, the programming and St. James history in general.
The Hidden Gem – Cathedral of Saints Vladimir and Olga, located at 115 McGregor Street.
With a capacity of over a thousand, it might come as a surprise that Winnipegers choose a beautiful (but massive) Cathedral as the hidden gem. However, once you enter into the Cathedral, it becomes clear what the real hidden gems are. In addition to containing the beautiful rose-stained glass window depicting the patrons: Saints Vladimir and Olga, the Cathedral houses some of the finest Icon paintings and stained glass windows in Canada. 16 of the 34 stained glass windows are the work of world famous artist and sculpter Leo Mol. The Cathedral is simultaneously both a visible and a hidden gem of Winnipeg.
Best Architecture – The Manitoba Legislative Building, located at 450 Broadway
The Legislative Building, or ‘ledge’ is one of the finest public buildings, not just in Manitoba, but across North America! The ledge formally opened on July 15th, 1920 on the 50th anniversary of Manitoba’s confederation. The impressive architecture in Beaux Arts style and the intriguing interior and exterior art have only become more renowned with time. While the Ledge provides tours year round, every year during Doors Open, Winnipegers flock to see the life-sized North American bison on the grand staircase, the Pool of the Black Star beneath the Rotunda antechamber and the other treasures within this Frank W. Simon and Henry Boddington III creation. For the second year in a row, Winnipegers have proudly proclaimed that this Manitoba landmark has the best architecture in the city.
Congratulations to everyone!
2011 Doors Open Awards Results
On June 23, 2011 Heritage Winnipeg hosted their first annual Doors Open Awards at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe in the historic Exchange District.
Best Restoration:
Wesley Hall (University of Winnipeg), 515 Portage Avenue
Best Tour:
Customs Examining Warehouse, 145 McDermot Avenue
Best Overall Experience:
Historical Museum of St. James, 3180 Portage Avenue
The Hidden Gem:
St. James the Assiniboine Anglican Church & Cemetery, 525 Tylehurst Street
Best Architecture:
Manitoba Legislative Building, 450 Broadway