OXFORD OPENS ITS DOORS

SECOND ANNUAL EVENT DRAWS VISITORS TO 15 LOCATIONS



Monday, September 12, 2005 
Tag: 0509120001
Edition: Final 
Section: News 
Length: 65 lines 
Page: 1 
BY HEATHER RIVERS-HARRON, STAFF WRITER 
Dateline: Woodstock 

When there is so much to see and do, it's often difficult to pick just a few.
But from the collection of events the second annual Doors Open Oxford had to offer over the weekend, Innerkip residents Bill and Corrie Vink were able to do just that.
"We're out to see a few things that we normally wouldn't see," Bill said.
Wandering for the first time through the Woodstock Museum, they described their earlier trip to the spectacular Annandale National Historic Site as "awesome."
After that, they made their way to New St. Paul's Church on Dundas Street.
"It was amazing how large it was," Corrie said. "There is lots of history there."
The Vinks also got a chance to tour Out of the Fiery Furnace, an exhibit by contemporary artisans of historical reproductions and original works located on the museum's second floor.
Curator Darrell Marketwitz refers to fire as a "mysterious agent of transformation."
The exhibit celebrates crafts where "fire is employed as a fundamental tool in the creative process," he said.
The artisans, who hail from across the province, vary from award winners to first timers, he said.
"It's a fair amalgamation of different types of work," he said, of the glass and metal creations. "I think it is a fairly interesting collection."
Karen Houstan, curator of the museum was also on hand during the tour.
"I think Doors Open is important so that people can see into these old buildings," she said. "Especially buildings that aren't always open like the courthouse and B and Bs."
Over at the Oxford County Courthouse, Doug Rozell, records management co-ordinator for Oxford County, was on hand to share his knowledge with the general public.
He got a chance to share tidbits like why the courthouse windows have been blackened.
"That is so the outside can't see in," he said. "So they can't assist from the outside."
Rozell said back in early 1990s a prisoner ejected himself from the courthouse through the glass and escaped in a getaway van.
"He was apprehended three month later," Rozell said.
The trend continued when another prisoner hurtled himself out a window after he exclaimed to police, "What do you mean I can't have a smoke!"
Other stops on the countywide tour included Quehl's of Tavistock, Princeton Cemetery and Princeton Museum, Norwich District Museum and Archives, Wolverton Train Station, Jake-man's Maple Farm, Avondale Zion United Church, The Elm Hurst Inn, Ingersoll Cheese Factory Museum and Sports Hall of Fame, St. James Anglican Church and Sullivan Manor B and B.
Those who missed the opportunity to tour these special sites will get a chance to take the tour next year.
The third annual event will take place next fall, according to Cathy Bingham of Tourism Oxford.



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