Guelph, ON – July 30, 2020 – The 2020 Historical Walking Tours season launches this Sunday, August 2. An annual Guelph tradition, the Historical Walking Tours highlight Guelph’s rich cultural, architectural, and social history through six featured tours. Hosted by Guelph Arts Council and led by a team of volunteer tour guides, the tours provide an opportunity to learn the stories and history behind Guelph landmarks and popular walking routes. The cost is $5 per person, online through the guelpharts.ca event calendar. Spots are limited, and all participants must wear a mask.
For over thirty years, Guelph Arts Council has celebrated the city’s cultural history through walking tours extending over a period of several months. The 2020 tours will run from August 2 – October 4 and will range from exploring the slopes of the Speed River, various areas of Downtown Guelph, Catholic Hill and Exhibition Park, and what was formerly known as Brooklyn, one of Guelph’s early industrial sections.
This season’s walking tours will kick off with Where Guelph Began, on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at 10 am. This tour encircles the original Market Square area, an area for both current and historic social and business life, where many of Guelph’s first buildings were built.
Tours include Where Guelph Began, Slopes of the Speed, Altar and Hearth, Brooklyn and the College Hill, and Ward One Guelph. Participants will engage in an enriching in-person tour that aligns with public health recommendations, while hearing Guelph’s stories and viewing some of the city’s best examples of masonry, stone carving, and historic architecture. A Public Art Walk on September 26 will be included in these historic walks as part of Culture Days Guelph, and will be free. This tour explores public art in Downtown Guelph and highlights how public art reflects Guelph’s values, diversity, and heritage.
All tour details can be found on Facebook and guelpharts.ca. If you are interested in participating in a Guelph Historical Walking tour, purchase a ticket through Guelph Arts Council events calendar.
Please note: Guelph Arts Council’s Historical Walking Tours are operating with COVID-19 precautions. All participants must wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth and maintain physical distancing throughout the tour. All tours offered have been condensed to 60 – 90 minutes. Participants who arrive without a face covering will be asked not to participate and will receive a refund through the GAC office. Guides will not handle cash. Tour booklets will be available at the GAC office only. Tours are restricted to a maximum of 6 prepaid and pre-registered participants. Tours with less than two registrations by the previous Friday at 4 pm will be cancelled.
Supported by Downtown Guelph Business Association