Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor

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Doors Open Ontario:

Hamilton Region

in-person event information

Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come and celebrate music in The Hammer. With theatres, churches, music schools, pubs, costume shops and a lab that researches the effect of music on the human psyche, Hamilton has it all. Many sites will have music, demonstrations and participant interaction. Join us for Doors Open Hamilton Region — and explore almost 50 sites and four walking tours.

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Contact information

51 In-person Doors Open sites

Ancaster Memorial Arts CentreDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre is in the heart of Ancaster Village. It includes the 454-seat Peller Hall, Voortman Studio Theatre and multiple rooms for art, film, theatre and dance. This state-of-the-art centre will serve as home to many of Ancaster's successful and popular community arts groups. It will also provide a venue for many professional performers and artists.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

357 Wilson Street East
Ancaster, Ontario
Email: bethany@memorialarts.ca
https://www.memorialarts.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1942; renovated in 2022
Building type: Educational facility Theatre
Architect: Invizij Architects Inc.

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

Auchmar Manor HouseDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Auchmar Manor House

The Auchmar Estate is considered to be the last surviving country estate on Hamilton Mountain. It was built for the Honourable Isaac Buchanan, a local Scotsman, entrepreneur, politician and civic leader in 19th-century Canada. Visit this Gothic revival manor house and learn about its storied past before strolling the walled and landscaped grounds that surround it. No parking on site.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Kid-friendly
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos
  • Virtual tours
  • Kid-friendly
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust

Contact info

88 Fennell Avenue West (at West 5th Street)
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: Richard.Barlas@hamilton.ca
http://www.friendsofauchmar.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1852-54
Building type: Historical landmark Historical house

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Balfour House (Chedoke Estate)Doors Open Hamilton Region

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Balfour House (Chedoke Estate)

Balfour House is Hamilton’s last great escarpment estate. Several prominent Hamiltonians have called it home since 1836, most recently the family of St. Clair Balfour. Owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by the City of Hamilton, the building and garden are spectacular. Exhibits related to the commitment to music of the Southam family will be on display.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust

Contact info

1 Balfour Drive
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: abuhrmann@cardus.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1836-38
Building type: Historical house

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Battlefield House Museum & Park National Historic SiteDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Battlefield House Museum & Park National Historic Site

Battlefield House Museum, part of which dates to 1796, was once home to the prominent Gage family. Learn about the stories of the people who built the house and the ongoing efforts to preserve and restore it. Explore the Dunington Grubb landscape (which includes the impressive Battlefield Monument) and hike around a 13.8-hectare (34-acre) patchwork of meadow and forest.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust

Contact info

77 King Street West
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Email: Richard.Barlas@hamilton.ca
https://www.hamilton.ca/battlefield

Architecture

Year built: 1796
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Historical house Museum

Dates/hours open

May 05 - May 05

Birmingham HouseDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Birmingham House

Birmingham House is a typical stone Georgian Methodist church with round-headed windows, corner quoins, a central rose window and oversized eaves with paired cornice brackets. It is part of a cluster of buildings in downtown Waterdown that is largely intact after almost 200 years. The building is currently home to the CBY Academy of Performing Arts and Birmingham Consulting.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

21 Mill Street North
Waterdown, Ontario
Email: christina@birmingham.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1838
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Case United ChurchDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Case United Church

Originally a Romanesque revival structure, Case United Church has been updated to include a foyer, accessible washrooms, user-friendly stairs and a mechanical lift between floors. Upstairs, a light-filled gathering space offers views of the surrounding farmland and a connecting door to the sanctuary. A vital part of the community, Case United and its cemetery reflect its rural location.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

6180 White Church Road East
Mount Hope, Ontario
Email: cjwallace1990@hotmail.com

Architecture

Year built: 1894; renovated in 2021
Building type: Place of worship
Architect: Rebecca Beatty (architect) in association with Toms + McNally Design

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Central Presbyterian ChurchDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Central Presbyterian Church

The Central Presbyterian Church, designed by John Lyle and opened in 1908, replaced an earlier church that was destroyed by fire. This was his only church. The flat roof resembles more the public buildings favoured by the beaux-arts style than traditional European churches. Central Presbyterian has one of the largest and finest Casavant organs in Hamilton. Recitals to be announced.

  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

165 Charlton Avenue West
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: mark.stupple@gmail.com
https://www.cpchamilton.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1908
Building type: Place of worship
Architect: John Lyle

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Church of Our Saviour the RedeemerDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Church of Our Saviour the Redeemer

This church — founded in 1876 as the Church of The Redeemer — was established in 2007 with the amalgamation of the parishes of The Redeemer and the Church of our Saviour, Stoney Creek (founded in 1919). See how the 1876 church expanded in 1952, view stained-glass windows and learn the story of the Dossal tapestry.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

5 Lake Avenue South
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Email: bahmankalantari96@gmail.com
https://www.oursaviourtheredeemer.com

Architecture

Year built: 1876; 1894 (buttresses); 1952 (addition to 1876 church); 1968 (chapel, Corman Hall and offices)
Building type: Historical landmark Place of worship
Architect: James H. Christie (1968)

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

Church of St. John the EvangelistDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Church of St. John the Evangelist

This church opened in 1892. The adjacent Hannah Public School was purchased in 1906 and served as the parish hall until it was destroyed by fire in 1990. Drawn to service, the congregation decided to build an affordable housing complex on the site. Today, the church has a thriving connection to music in the church and community.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

320 Charlton Avenue West
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: emmacubitt@gmail.com
https://www.rockonlocke.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1892
Building type: Place of worship
Architect: Strickland & Symons, Toronto

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Coach & Lantern, TheDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Coach & Lantern, The

Ancaster is Ontario’s third-oldest community. The Coach and Lantern belongs to a cluster of buildings that have been in continuous use here since 1832. This gorgeous stone building has been a court of law, a hotel and now a pub. This well-known pub and centre for live music is part of a thriving commercial block.

  • Food vendors
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

384 Wilson Street East
Ancaster, Ontario
Email: kirsty@coachandlantern.ca
https://www.coachandlantern.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1832
Building type: Courthouse Food and drink Historical landmark

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Cotton Factory, TheDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Cotton Factory, The

The Imperial Cotton Factory, built in 1900, ran as a factory until 1972. It has been repurposed as the largest creative hub in the Hamilton area — with studios for artists, artisans, musicians, craftspeople and entrepreneurs. Film and television productions, photographers and special events are also drawn here. This year's Door's Open Hamilton is also the Cotton Factory's 10th anniversary.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities
  • Videos
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

270 Sherman Avenue North
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: laura@cottonfactory.ca
https://www.cottonfactory.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1900
Building type: Commercial Green building
Architect: E.B. Patterson

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Dundas Museum & ArchivesDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Dundas Museum & Archives

Opened in 1956, the Dundas Museum & Archives is a private, non-profit museum that collects, interprets and celebrates the unique identity of the Valley Town. As part of Doors Open Hamilton, they welcome the public to tour its permanent galleries. As well, you can visit the historical c. 1848 Doctor's Office and enjoy live music in the 1873 Pirie House.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

139 Park Street West
Dundas, Ontario
Email: kevin@dundasmuseum.ca
https://dundasmuseum.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1873, 1956, 1963, 2013
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Museum
Architect: McCallum Sather (2013 addition)

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

Dundurn National Historic Site — Dundurn CastleDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Dundurn National Historic Site — Dundurn Castle

Dundurn Castle is one of the finest examples of high regency-style architecture in the country. Constructed in the 1830s for Sir Allan Napier MacNab (railway magnate, lawyer and politician), the buildings deteriorated under subsequent owners, but were restored in the 1960s to their original splendour. Today, Dundurn Castle tells the story of the MacNabs and the people who served them.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos
  • Virtual tours
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust

Contact info

610 York Blvd.
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: Richard.Barlas@hamilton.ca
https://www.hamilton.ca/dundurn

Architecture

Year built: 1835
Building type: Historical landmark Historical house Museum
Architect: Robert Wetherell

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

East Flamborough Township HallDoors Open Hamilton Region

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East Flamborough Township Hall

The East Flamborough Township Hall is a masterpiece of adaptive reuse. Almost all the original features of the original Georgian building were restored while the interior was sensitively reworked to provide comfortable office space for legal and financial offices (Brown Lawyers and Brown Financial Security respectively), while still displaying the architectural features of the original building.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

25 Mill Street North
Waterdown, Ontario
Email: nickb@brownfinancial.com

Architecture

Year built: 1856
Building type: Commercial
Architect: Charles Linsey & Associates

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Fieldcote Memorial Park & MuseumDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum

Fieldcote was built in 1948 as a private home on the outskirts of the former village of Ancaster. Today, as the village expands, it serves as a cultural heritage centre with an emphasis on local history and the promotion of fine arts. The idyllic setting is the perfect venue for music, with beautiful, landscaped gardens and walking trails.

  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

64 Sulphur Springs Road
Ancaster, Ontario
Email: fieldcote@hamilton.ca
https://www.hamilton.ca/fieldcote

Architecture

Year built: 1948
Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

Grace Anglican ChurchDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Grace Anglican Church

Situated in a park-like setting, Grace Anglican Church is known for many things: the beautiful building, the surrounding cemetery and its wide-ranging charitable works. The sanctuary has been updated many times to include stained glass, an organ and other details. The grand hall offers community functions, often including music. This idyllic small-town community church thrives in Waterdown.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

157 Mill Street North
Waterdown, Ontario
Email: office@graceanglicanwaterdown.org
https://www.graceanglicanwaterdown.org

Architecture

Year built: 1860
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Grant Avenue StudioDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Grant Avenue Studio

The elegant Edwardian gable and bay on Grant Avenue was transformed by Dan Lanois, Bob Lanois and Bob Doidge into the world-renowned recording venue, Grant Avenue Studio. The two-storey box bay façade with stained-glass windows has welcomed artists from Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers to U2 and Johnny Cash. Check out this excellent example of adaptive reuse.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

38 Grant Avenue
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: debbie@grantavenuestudio.com
https://www.grantavenuestudio.com

Architecture

Year built: 1909
Building type: Commercial Private residence

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Halo StudioDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Halo Studio

The Halo Studio is a one-of-a-kind recording studio that offers professional audio engineering services in the heart of downtown Hamilton. Their custom-built live room offers outstanding tone and the perfect vibes for creating great projects. Their control room also boasts the perfect listening environment, featuring a console that has recorded Bruce Springsteen and Kanye West.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

57 Augusta Street
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: halomusichamilton@gmail.com
https://www.halomusic.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1973
Building type: Commercial
Architect: Trevor Garwood Jones

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Hamilton City Ballet/Hamilton Academy of Performing ArtsDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Hamilton City Ballet/Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts

The Hamilton City Ballet (in partnership with the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts) operates out of a building that has been constantly modified and added to since 1842. The original gable front building was built in 1842. A similar building was added in 1865 as a Sunday School. They were connected by a corridor in 1949.

  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

108 Park Street West
Dundas, Ontario
Email: hamiltoncityballet@gmail.com
https://www.hamiltoncityballet.com

Architecture

Year built: 1842
Building type: Educational facility

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

Hamilton Military MuseumDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Hamilton Military Museum

Located on the grounds of Dundurn National Historic Site, this museum preserves and shares the military history of Hamilton and area through exhibits, programs and events. The building, originally constructed as a gate house for Dundurn Castle in the late 1830s, was first known as Battery Lodge, being located on the site of a War of 1812 artillery emplacement.

  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

610 York Blvd. (at Dundurn National Historic Site)
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: Richard.Barlas@hamilton.ca
https://www.hamilton.ca/militarymuseum

Architecture

Year built: 1835-38
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Military Museum
Architect: Robert Wetherall

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 04

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic SiteDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site

The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology is the site of the original 1859 Hamilton Waterworks. The museum features two 13.7-metre high (45 feet), 70-ton steam-powered pumping engines that supplied the city with clean drinking water from 1859 to 1910. Made in Dundas, these engines are the oldest surviving examples of their kind in North America today.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities
  • Videos
  • Virtual tours
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)

Contact info

900 Woodward Avenue
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: Richard.Barlas@hamilton.ca
https://www.hamilton.ca/steammuseum

Architecture

Year built: 1859
Building type: Historical landmark Museum
Architect: Thomas Coltrin Keefer

Dates/hours open

May 05 - May 05

Hamilton Police Museum (Tisdale House)Doors Open Hamilton Region

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Hamilton Police Museum (Tisdale House)

Tisdale House is the oldest home in Ancaster. In the 1820s, the building was occupied by "Charcoal Burner" John O’Neil and housed two charcoal kilns. Later, the house became an undertaker’s parlour run by George Moore. The house has been fully retrofitted and is now home to the Ancaster Community Policing Centre and the Hamilton Police Museum.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

314 Wilson Street East
Ancaster, Ontario

Architecture

Year built: 1806
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Museum

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Hamilton Theatre Inc.Doors Open Hamilton Region

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Hamilton Theatre Inc.

Hamilton Theatre Inc. is where aspiring stars get their training. Housed in a renovated Ontario Hydro building, it has been a training ground for individuals in the community to hone their passion for theatre and the arts. A perfect example of adaptive reuse, the theatre is bursting with musical magic, showcasing some of Broadway’s biggest hits right here in Hamilton.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

140 MacNab Street North
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: info@hamiltontheatre.com
https://hamiltontheatre.com

Architecture

Year built: 1920
Building type: Commercial Theatre

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board ArchivesDoors Open Hamilton Region

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Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Archives

Located at the Hill Park Learning Centre, the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Archives contains records and memorabilia of almost 350 former and current Hamilton-region schools. The volunteers and staff of the archives will be compiling photos, records and possibly videos of the music presented at high schools in the area. A treasure trove for former students and families.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

465 East 16th Street
Hamilton, Ontario
Email: hhillgre@hwdsb.on.ca
https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/community/archive

Architecture

Year built: 1988
Building type: Educational facility

Dates/hours open

May 04 - May 05