An outside view of the Henry Corby Bed and Breakfast, one of many locations opening their doors to educate members of the public about the impact that Henry Corby had on the city of Belleville and the surrounding areas. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
The impact of an important man to the city of Belleville will be on display at the 17th annual “Doors Open Belleville” event.
A gathering at the Henry Corby Bed and Breakfast Tuesday evening allowed the hosts that are opening their doors to the public to meet each other and reveal what they will be planning for the day of the event.
The theme of the 2018 edition of Doors Open Belleville is “The Doors of Henry Corby”, which will highlight the influence that the former businessman and Senator had on the local community.
Originally from England, Corby emigrated to Canada in 1832 and established a bustling milling operation and a distillery business. He was also involved in both municipal and federal politics, once holding the position of Mayor in Belleville for two years and became member of the Canadian Senate. He died in Belleville in 1881 at the age of 75. The town Corbyville was established in his name in 1882.
Tara VanDijk, owner of the Henry Corby B&B, is honoured by Vice-Chair of Heritage Belleville Jeremy Davis with a plaque for her involvement in the Doors Open Belleville event. (Photo: Brock Ormond/Quinte News)
Tara VanDijk owns the Bed and Breakfast – Corby’s former home – with her husband Wayne. She says Corby’s impact on the area is still being felt today in many areas.
Melissa Wakeling from Glanmore National Historic Site, another location opening its doors for the event, says it’s good to educate people from outside the area on what Corby has meant to Belleville.
Wakeling explains to Quinte News some of the events they are planning for the day of the event.
Heritage Belleville will be organizing the event this year. Chair Janna Munkittrick-Colton says one of their mandates is to “identify and promote the heritage structures in the city of Belleville.”
A list of places that will be opening its doors to the public include;
Corby Rose Garden
Ekort Realty
Glanmore National Historic Site
Henry Corby Bed and Breakfast
She Thrives
Signal Brewery
The Core (formerly Corby Public Library)
Other notable locations involved in the event include; St. Thomas Anglican Church, the Shrine Club, the Community Archives and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Museum among others.
The free event will be held Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to people of all ages.
More information on the province-wide event, plus a link to volunteer, can be found HERE
