One of the most historical and important buildings in Cambridge, Historic City Hall was built in 1857-58. For 167 years, it has been a centre of administrative life for Galt (now Cambridge). City councils have met here since 1858. Explore the second-floor Archives Research Room, gallery, Cambridge Hall of Fame and wedding space, and the third-floor council chambers.

When criminal charges are laid, young victims and witnesses in Waterloo Region, Guelph and Wellington County are referred to the Child Witness Program. Here, the team ensures that these children, youth and their families are supported throughout the process, with services tailored to each person’s needs. The Child Witness Centre is a partner of the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

The Child Youth Advocacy Centre is an innovative wraparound support space that brings a team together to serve children, youth and their caregivers during one of the most trying times of their lives. This trauma-informed haven supports children who share their truth in a supportive and caring environment with an assigned advocate who walks this difficult journey with them.

Den 1880 is a vibrant workspace and event hub housed in a beautifully restored historical bank that previously housed police headquarters, Communitech Data Hub and insurance companies. Today, it offers co-working, private offices and stunning event spaces — blending modern function with timeless style. The entire first floor will be open — including the lobby, theatre, library, meeting rooms and podcast studio.

The Detweiler Meetinghouse was built with fieldstone in 1855 and restored to its original in the 1990s. The interior matches what are now Old Order Mennonite meetinghouses. Its amazing acoustics are enjoyed by musicians and singers — and audiences — at public summer music events. In this lovely rural setting is also the adjacent Roseville Mennonite Cemetery, active since c. 1834.

Kitchener’s Homer Watson House & Gallery is the historical home, gallery and studio of Homer Watson (1855-1936) — one of Canada’s most celebrated landscape painters. Featuring Watson’s architectural additions and a painted frieze, this National Historic Site honours his legacy through exhibitions and educational programs, offering insight into his life and artistic contributions.

The Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is the largest community museum in Ontario, with stories and histories of Waterloo Region. In addition to visiting this museum, stop by select buildings at the nearby Doon Heritage Village (which showcases rural life in 1914) during their renovations — a bonus for Doors Open visitors exclusively. Enjoy pilot programming at Doon and provide feedback.

Magnolia Apartments is Indwell's newest supportive and affordable housing community in the city of Kitchener. This location is a conversion of three-quarters of the beautifully maintained St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church into 41 new deeply affordable rental units. Onsite amenities and supports include community space and outdoor gardens. See how Indwell staff meet tenants' health and housing needs.

Explore the design legacy of Martin Simmons Sweers Architects — Waterloo Region's longest operating architectural firm. Discover how this award-winning firm has shaped the built environment of Waterloo Region and beyond over the last eight decades. Tour their offices and meet the architects and designers behind their work, and learn how they shape sustainable, functional architecture in the community.

McDougall Cottage, a granite and limestone labourer’s home, is located in downtown Cambridge. Celebrated for its century-old hand-painted murals and heritage gardens, this scenic site offers engaging programs, inviting visitors of all ages to explore the rich layers of local history and culture and to connect with the community. During Doors Open, enjoy Scottish shortbread and kids’ crafts.

Discover The Hub — home to MCC’s material resources and thrift processing, including their innovative new meat cannery. Tour the facility, explore behind-the-scenes operations and join the Buckets of Thanks event to pack a relief kit for someone affected by conflict or disaster. See how they “meat” urgent needs and make a global impact — one can, one kit at a time.

Join the Perimeter Institute as they celebrate their 25th anniversary! Step inside one of the world’s premier centres for theoretical physics. This unique opportunity lets you enjoy rare behind-the-scenes access to celebrate scientific discovery — with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages. The event kicks off a week-long celebration that spotlights science, innovation and community impact across Waterloo Region.

The Pressworks Building was constructed in 1969 to house the presses for Fairway Publishing. In 1996, the building was carefully disassembled and re-erected in its current location, preserving a piece of history otherwise slated for demolition. The building has since been expanded and renovated as a collaborative space that ABA Architects now calls home.

This congregation celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, with 74 years in this location! Tour this beautiful space and discover the artwork, stained glass and wood carvings. Enjoy short recitals featuring the Schlicker pipe organ, Kawai grand piano, and ensembles. Activities in the Parish Activity Centre include a kids' craft, a tone chime station for hands-on play, displays and refreshments.

Lights, camera, action! Rogers tv, Cable 20 is Waterloo Region’s local community channel, covering issues, events, entertainment, sports and all things local. During Doors Open, come and tour the studio, control room and mobile unit. You will get an exclusive look at how shows are created and meet the people who make it happen.

Come and see the Roseville Church, a place of worship since 1852. A tragic 2017 car accident resulted in the original building being demolished. In its place, a new, expanded sanctuary was built in 2019. Take a guided tour, learn about their history and hear how they are reaching out to, and collaborating with, the community today.

Do you envision a future where older adults live life to the fullest? Our goal is to change the way we age in Canada. The RIA supports research in several areas and mobilizes that research into programs, resources and education. Explore their state-of-the-art building and lab spaces, meet their researcher and staff and learn how you can get involved.

Visit Schneider Haus to view some rarely seen treasures from their collection — including the world’s oldest crokinole board. Speak with staff about the historical importance of these items and how they are preserved. Engage all your senses in the historical house and discover the new stories they are sharing. Play crokinole and other outdoor games in their green spaces.

Come and explore the Township of Wellesley fire museum inside the new St. Clements Fire Station. See how the old way of firefighting compares to today. Talk with firefighters about fire safety and what you and your family should do in case of an emergency. Come and see the people and the equipment they use to keep you safe.

As a community in mission for others, the newly renovated St. Peter’s boldly holds space for faith, community, justice and the arts. Their grand architecture, beautiful courtyard and multi-use spaces provide an inspiring, completely modernized, accessible and climate-controlled setting for any gathering. Whether sacred or secular, a quiet moment or significant event, there is a place for you here.

The Waterloo Central Railway Restoration and Maintenance Facility offers passenger train rides on the Waterloo Spur between Waterloo, St. Jacobs and Elmira. Come and take a behind-the-scenes look at this heritage railway, which is not usually open to the public, and see how equipment is restored/maintained. Volunteers from the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society will showcase their latest restoration projects.

Explore Waterloo Region’s oldest buildings — the 1852-53 Gaol (jail) and the 1878 Governor’s House (jail warden’s home) — and learn how community action saved them from demolition. Closed in 1978, this heritage site has been given new purpose. By combining designation with adaptive reuse, the granite Gaol now houses Provincial Offences courtrooms, and the Governor’s House is home to legal offices.

Waterloo Pioneers Memorial Tower commemorates the arrival of Pennsylvania-German pioneers to the Waterloo region. The 18.9-metre tower (62 feet) is located along the banks of the Grand River. A viewing platform at the top provides a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors will have access to the viewing platform for a short time as part of Doors Open.

The Zion United Church, originally the Zion Evangelical Brethern Church, originated in 1839 in the United States for German-speaking settlers. It was part of a five-church circuit. In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren joined the United Church of Canada. Zion's members are called to be "ordinary People — praising God, caring for others and learning to be the family of God."