The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of the largest galleries in North America. With nearly 95,000 pieces in its collections – from European masterpieces to modern art to an extensive Group of Seven collection – the AGO presents wide-ranging exhibits and programs, showcasing diverse and underrepresented artists from Canada and around the world. While the AGO is open once more, there remain a number of intriguing programs and activities that can be done outdoors or online. As part of Digital Doors Open, discover your inner artist: learn to draw, become a better photographer, paint alongside your kids, or sketch at the Toronto Zoo (part of the AGO Makes program). Download some colouring cards. Check out their art-making videos. Explore their online collections. Or discover their extensive teacher resources. There’s something for everyone at the AGO!

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Aurora’s public library service began in 1855 with the formation of the Aurora Association for the Diffusion of Helpful Knowledge, later called the Aurora Mechanics’ Institute and Library Association. From these early organizations emerged the Aurora Public Library, now a busy, architecturally modern community hub in the heart of Aurora. While this facility remains closed to the public, there are many Digital Doors Open opportunities available – from virtual science labs (see the sample video below), summer camps, cooking classes, speakers’ series and live-streaming storytelling to a digital bookshelf where you can read, watch listen and learn. Genealogy enthusiasts can also take advantage of the free access to the Library Edition of Ancestry.com. And there’s so much more!

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Settlement began in the Township of Seymour on the Trent River in the early 1830s. At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Campbell and his brother, Major David Campbell, received Crown grants and purchased a total of approximately 1,100 hectares of land (2,800 acres) in the area. This land became the nucleus of settlement on both sides of the Trent River at a shallow area know as Campbell’s Ford. By 1876, the settlement had grown so that the Village of Campbellford became a separate municipality and, in 1906, it was incorporated as a town. Take this walking tour and learn more about the town, its early inhabitants and its rich past.

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Canada’s Wonderland is a 134-hectare (330-acre) theme park loaded with fun and thrills for all ages. The country's first major theme park – and its largest – Canada’s Wonderland has become a summer tradition. This year, you can visit the site virtually and enjoy up to 16 different roller coasters, 11 thrill rides and seven family rides – all from the comfort of your own home. If you have a virtual reality headset, load the video up on your phone or gaming system to enjoy an even more immersive ride experience! In addition, you can watch virtual fireworks displays with over 6,000 explosions of colour above the park skyline. When you need a break from the rides, spend some time on a scavenger hunt or doing some colouring pages. Finish off your Digital Doors Open experience with a homemade funnel cake. Canada’s Wonderland is now sharing their recipe for this sweet summertime treat.

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The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Its outstanding exhibitions explain Canada's rich military past from earliest times to the present, and its collections are among the world’s finest military holdings. The museum shares a series of online exhibits and videos that show Canadian military history in fascinating detail. There is also a new video that commemorates the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe. During Digital Doors Open, explore their online collections and educational resources, play their popular online game or download their colouring pages.

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The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, research and preservation of Chatham-Kent’s Black history. In the early 1800s, Black families settled along McGregor’s Creek in the town known then as The Forks. The village soon became a haven for runaway slaves and, by 1850, its population was one-third Black. Blacks in Chatham thrived in business, education, medicine, sport and literary and cultural arts. News of their success attracted Blacks to the area from across North America. The history of Blacks in early Chatham is not only of local significance; but their contribution and participation in Southwestern Ontario over the years has also left a fundamental impression on the national landscape. During Digital Doors Open, watch this video to learn more about the history of Chatham. Discover some of the museum's online exhibits. Explore the Breaking the Colour Barrier website to learn more about the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball team. And download and enjoy a colouring page and word search puzzle.

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Since 1935, this observatory has been a research centre for the University of Toronto's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and a facility for public education and outreach. A popular site for Doors Open Richmond Hill in 2019, the David Dunlap Observatory gives us a glimpse into the skies above us from a spectacular facility. During Digital Doors Open, take a virtual tour of the site through the video below. Also, enjoy a short history of the site from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Or learn how to use a star finder to find your way around the night skies.

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The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is a four-storey Cold War bunker built to protect the government from a nuclear attack on Ottawa. Once top-secret, this underground facility is now open year-round. During Digital Doors Open, you can explore this site through a series of virtual tours, download some colouring pages from their collections, keep busy with various jigsaw puzzles, or play the online game, Project Rustic (Flash required). And learn more in the video below from Historica Canada about the Cold War and the important role that this site played.

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Glanmore is an excellent example of Second Empire architecture in Canada. The home – now a regional museum – was built in 1883 for banker J.P.C. Phillips. Interiors feature ornate frescoed ceilings, suspended staircases and intricate woodwork. Even though the site is closed, there is much to see and do through Digital Doors Open. Explore their online collections (approximately 20,000 artifacts), watch a video about the restoration of the site, take a 3D tour (don’t forget your virtual reality glasses!), and discover the Canada at Play online exhibit (currently on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum), where you can also learn how to make a rag doll. Note: While Glanmore has reopened for paid visits (with mandatory face coverings and physical distancing measures in place), visitors are required to book a time slot in advance to visit the property.

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The village of Hastings straddles the Trent River near the border of Northumberland and Peterborough counties. In 1810, William Hare – the first Crown land grant holder – sold approximately 340 hectares (850 acres) to Scots entrepreneur James Crooks, who named the site “Crooks Rapids.” In 1835, the government began planning the Trent Canal system and, by 1844, a dam and log slide were completed at Hastings. Hastings industry included grist, woollen and lumber mills. Take a fascinating walking tour of the village and learn more about its early settlers, its history and some of its enduring architecture.

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Barrie's history and heritage shape the city’s distinctive character and provide a sense of place. Their distinct historical neighborhoods reflect their natural and cultural heritage. Experience these detailed virtual walking tours and learn about Barrie's most iconic historical destinations. Locations include Downtown East, Downtown West, Allandale, Grand Homes, H-Block and Court House Hill, Rodney and Blake Street and the Barrie Waterfront. Check out the video below to get a taste of Barrie’s past. (Photo: Dunlop Street)

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The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, located on 40 hectares (100 acres) of forested land along the Humber River, is a major public gallery devoted to collecting the art of Canada. Located on the original lands of the Ojibwe Anishinaabe people, the McMichael is uniquely situated along the historical Carrying Place Trail. The McMichael’s permanent collection consists of over 6,500 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists who have contributed to the development of Canadian art. While the McMichael has reopened, there are restrictions in place for visitors. Check their website for details. Digital visits, however, are also encouraged. Explore their eMuseum – a searchable online collection. Wander the grounds – lush forests, a sculpture garden and scenic hiking trails – with the aid of their downloadable map and audio guided tour. For budding young artists, the McMichael offers the ArtVenture Online program, which includes free art activities, videos, tutorials and more. Watch and learn through a series of curatorial talks and virtual studio visits. Take an online art class. Or discover their many educational resources – from virtual classrooms and tours to workshops and teacher retreats. With Digital Doors Open, there is much to see and do.

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Established in 1984, the National Air Force Museum of Canada is dedicated to preserving and telling the history of Canadian military aviation. The museum – with over 7,000 square metres (75,000 square feet) of exhibition space with an adjoining 6-hectare (16-acre) air park – captures the spirit, daring and courage of the men and women of the Royal Canadian Air Force – from the first flight on a frozen lake in Nova Scotia to today's humanitarian relief missions. While the site has reopened (check their website for COVID-19 protocols), there are still a number of excellent digital resources available for at-home visits. Start with the video below. Then check out their collections, including many aircraft, and their online exhibits, including Victory (about the end of the Second World War). The museum also features several Museum from Home activities – including a table hockey game, a colouring sheet (where you can design your own jersey to win a prize), the Be an Airman board game, and much more.

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To mark Canada’s centennial, the Ontario Science Centre was built as one of the first interactive science museums in the world. Since it opened in 1969, the Science Centre has become a significant cultural attraction where visitors of all ages can learn through play. As part of Digital Doors Open, there is a lot to see and do at the Science Centre. Their Do it Yourself series will inspire your inner scientist – from games to experiments. Regular Facebook Live events connect you with Science Centre educators and hosts – learning about everything from snakes and bees to paper planes and outer space. And don’t forget to check out their Teacher Resources and Science at Home activities with easy-to-follow educational videos and downloadable resources and activities. This year, while they're working to reopen, let them bring the Science Centre to you!

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The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, the largest in Durham Region, occupies a building designed by well-known Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, whose design flooded the lobby with natural light via skylights in the soaring ceilings. During Digital Doors Open RMG, come and take a trip through the permanent collection. Through virtual tours given by Curator of Collections Sonya Jones, you can explore the Journeys exhibition or learn about the history of Lakeview Park in Oshawa’s Jewel by the Lake (shown below). Oshawa’s Jewel by the Lake celebrates the 100th anniversary of Lakeview Park, and is part of a larger programming initiative by the Oshawa Museum that includes a virtual exhibition. After you have taken the virtual tour and visited the online exhibition, be sure to check out the fun, family-friendly art activity. Don’t forget to show the gallery your art projects and tag them with #thermgFromHome. If you’d prefer to visit the gallery in person, note that it has reopened with safety guidelines in place.

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The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) are the largest botanical gardens in Canada, a National Historic Site and have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, protecting 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) of environmentally sensitive areas. Through displays, research, tours, demonstrations, trails and conservation activities, the RBG teaches us all about the importance of plants and nature, and how best to become environmental stewards in our own communities. Download a map before you visit, and be sure to check their website to learn about their COVID-19 protocols. During Digital Doors Open, the robust RBG at Home program offers videos and activities for all ages. Learn from RBG experts as they answer your gardening questions (see the video below). There’s a Culinary Corner of downloadable recipes for things like Lilac Honey Cake or Coconut Carrot Energy Balls, an informative blog, lots of activities for kids, and exciting teacher resources (including Virtual Field Trips and Lesson Plans).

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Set out on your own self-guided adventure – following safe social distancing practices –and explore the streets of Thunder Bay through one of these historical walking tours. Or you can take the tours digitally by exploring the PDF links below. These tours highlight Thunder Bay's rich heritage and architecture, while enabling you to enjoy a scenic walk through the city. A total of 117 sites are featured on five different tours located in different parts of the city. Each tour can be completed in approximately one hour. Note: Many sites on these tours are private residences, so we ask that you please respect private property and view all homes from the sidewalk only. Tours include Thunder Bay North Core Waterfront, Waverley Park Neighbourhood, McVicar Creek Harrington Neighbourhood, Thunder Bay South Core and Vickers Park Neighbourhood.

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In the 1850s, Seymour Township became the home of Scottish stone masons and other Scottish settlers. Limestone was a common local building material. These settlers replicated the homes they had left in Scotland and created a legacy of new stone homes in Seymour Township. Take this driving tour around the township and see some of these remarkable structures for yourself – from stone cottages to two-storey homesteads.

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The Simcoe County Museum offers a wide variety of events, exhibits and programs for all ages throughout the year. Visitors can discover Simcoe County's history through hands-on exploration and interactive displays. In September 2018, the County conducted a controlled burn of 30 hectares (74 acres) of land adjacent to the museum and began the largest planting operation in decades in order to restore the Museum Tract as a healthy ecosystem and important wildlife habitat. They have since planted seven native species of trees, including the jack pine, which will account for over two-thirds of all the new trees to be planted on the tract. To learn about forestry in Simcoe County, watch this video. Or, to learn more about the heritage buildings at the museum, check out the video below. Also, as part of Digital Doors Open, explore their Museum From Home, which includes a collection of online exhibits, Virtual Fall Fair, kids’ activities (including downloadable colouring pages), recipes, a scavenger hunt, and much more!

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Tommy Thompson Park, just minutes away from downtown Toronto, is a unique urban wilderness that offers some of the best bird watching in the city – with more than 300 species. The Leslie Street Spit – the land on which this park now stands – was entirely manmade, composed of landfill, concrete, bricks and rebar. Today, this 250-hectare park (617 acres) is operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. It has become an oasis for walkers and cyclists, and remains the habitat of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. As part of Digital Doors Open, download their birder’s checklist, read their research reports on breeding birds, explore the site through the video below, and watch the acclaimed documentary (from CBC’s The Nature of Things, 44:18).

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The Toronto Zoo – Canada’s largest zoo, at 287 hectares (709 acres), with over 5,000 animals – has a mission to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction. And that mission has never been more important. While the site was closed due to COVID-19, the Zoo quickly enhanced its online engagement to remain connected with the public. Social media and online storytelling grew significantly, with animal photos and videos keeping everyone connected to their favourite animals. Now safely reopened (see the video below for more information), the Zoo has implemented strict new guidelines – including designated one-way routes, hand-sanitizing stations, mandatory face coverings in most areas, and mandatory advanced ticketing with pre-booked time slots required. Should you visit, check out the new Scenic Safari Drive Thru, Camping at the Zoo, the Wild Encounters behind-the-scenes program, and the return of the successful Terra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk. But you can also still enjoy a rich digital experience at the Zoo, including lots of home activities, a new downloadable map, educator resources, Wild for Life podcasts and much more! Don’t forget to join them on Facebook Live at 1 p.m. daily when one of the zoo’s expert keepers will introduce you to one of the animals. Check the website for full details.

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Warkworth is a parcel of land originally purchased from the Mississauga First Nation in 1774 to provide land for United Empire Loyalist settlers. Surrounded by rich farmland and rolling hills, Warkworth’s location attracts the surrounding communities as well as a large tourist trade. A thriving arts community, heritage homes, friendly shopkeepers and its array of activities have made Warkworth a worthwhile destination. Take this walking tour and discover the town for yourself – from Italianate and Queen Anne to arts and crafts to classical revival, there is something for every architecture enthusiast.

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The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Tay, Ontario offers 1,214 hectares (3,000 acres) of national wildlife area and provincially significant wetlands. Its mission is to be a centre of excellence for wetlands research, interpretation and education based on the principle of stewardship and the importance of environmental awareness. Open 362 days a year, visitors of all ages and abilities are encouraged to discover raptors and reptiles, explore hiking, cross country ski and snowshoe on its trails, experience canoeing and kayaking through the marsh channels, and visit the observation tower, floating boardwalks, waterfowl monitoring platform, wildflower gardens, the bee house and so much more! But Wye Marsh is more than a tourist attraction. More than 6,000 students take part in educational programs every year, and the stewardship program initiatives include monitoring of wildlife populations and habitat conservation. As part of Digital Doors Open, check out their “at home activities” – including nature journaling, how to build a bee hotel, making sweet bannock, playing games, making masks, and much more. The Wye Marsh is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. but you are encouraged to check their website before visiting as some programming is not available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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