Riverside B&B seeking creatives for Doors Open showcase

To celebrate the building’s 150-year history during Doors Open, Riverside co-owner John Stevens is looking for creatives to be part of a showcase for the Aug. 9 event.

By Emily Stewart

Riverside Bed and Breakfast’s historic building is turning 150 years old this year and is looking for St. Marys’ creative arts communities to help celebrate.

John Stevens, co-owner of Riverside, is looking for musicians, visual artists, authors, story tellers, poets and other creatives to perform at the Doors Open showcase on Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 96 Robinson St. Riverside has been part of previous Doors Open events and Stevens always likes to add something extra to the building tour.

“It just makes the stop a bit more worth it because the home is beautiful. We’ve been blessed to live here, but St. Marys is much more than architecture. It’s the people that live here, so this is a way to expose the artistic community to people who come to Doors Open,” he said.

He added that Doors Open is a great way to learn more about the history behind the architecture in participating communities.

“I know that one of the years they had one of the apartments in the Opera House showing and I always wondered what it was like, and you get the look inside and see what people’s homes are like. But again, we try to add something so then it’s more than just coming to see the home, but it’s just also to expose people to the artistic community in town, and there are many artistic communities,” Stevens said.

Riverside Bed and Breakfast’s building was built in 1875 by Leon Clench. It was the childhood home of his daughter and violin prodigy, Nora Clench, before she left to study in Germany at 17 years old. Stevens enjoys living at the historic home.

“I never thought that when I grew up that I ever would live in a home so wonderful because it’s right beside the water, it’s on a dead-end street. The neighbours are obviously wonderful. It’s just a pleasure to sit on the porch and watch the river go by,” Stevens said.

Anyone interested in participating can either reach out to Stevens via Facebook Messenger or send an email to stevens.john@zohomail.com.

Doors Open Ontario is a provincewide heritage tourism program that gives the public free access to explore fascinating heritage properties all across Ontario. It showcases the buildings, natural spaces, infrastructure and cultural landscapes that shape and define our communities.

St. Marys will be opening its doors to a variety of unique buildings again this year on Aug. 9. From the town’s modern Aquatics Centre to its 1850s museum, there will be something for everyone to explore and enjoy.