We are looking for a volunteer coordinator to help with organizing and training the volunteers at the Doors Open Hamilton open house at the Auchmar Estate on Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th, 2025. If you are interested in this volunteer position and/or would like more information please reach out by email to doorsopen@friendsofauchmar.ca
Doors Open at Auchmar 2024 was once again a huge success. We welcomed almost 1,000 guests each day. Mayor Andrea Horwath cut the ribbon on Saturday morning and MPP Monique Taylor cut the ribbon on Sunday.
The theme for Doors Open this year was music, and so we entertained a fiddler, Ruth Hutchison on Saturday and 3 harpists, Siobhan Kerr, Zoe Yiu and Lochlan Gillespie, on Sunday.
Also on Saturday, we welcomed Christine Dignard and her Auchmar tack. She was given this by the Douglas family several years ago and it once belonged to Gwyneth Young. Our ‘thanks for attending’ draw brought lots of entries for those who wanted to win one of Elizabeth Sue Hanna’s artworks of Auchmar Mansion. Michelle Piano won a Friends of Auchmar membership for guessing 23 out of 25 historic windows.
The Friends of Auchmar continue to work on finding a long-term lease for this outstanding historic estate. Our General Annual Meeting for 2024 will be held sometime in the fall. Stay tuned for date and location.
Norris Podetz
It is with deep sadness that the Friends of Auchmar Board announces the death of Norris Podetz in July 2021.
Norris was a long time member of the Friends of Auchmar and avid supporter of history and railway heritage.
Many of you will know of and recognize Norris via his artwork and portraits of the Auchmar Estate, the Stables, Grounds and Gatehouse. His contributions, greatly valued by all to Friends of Auchmar meetings and special events, will be missed.
The Friends of Auchmar Board and membership extend deepest sympathy to the Podetz family.