Niagara-on-the-Lake
Event information
Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Explore some traditional Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake sites without having to leave home. The following sites offer tours, videos and activities that will engage people of all ages.
Butler's Barracks and The Commons Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
New
Named after Colonel John Butler, a hero of the American Revolutionary War, this complex was an integral component of the military facilities built in the Niagara region to replace those destroyed during the War of 1812. Situated inland, out of range of the American artillery across the river, Butler's Barracks comprised more than 20 buildings by 1854. The only structures that survive from this period are the Commissariat Stores, Junior Commissariat Officers' Quarters, Men's Barracks and Gun Shed. The site was used by the British until 1870, after which it became a training camp for the Canadian militia. The barracks near John Street have been fully reconstructed and act as the headquarters for Parks Canada’s Southwestern Ontario Field Unit. The Commons was used extensively over the past two centuries for military training. It was also the site of the Native Council House at the perimeter of Paradise Grove from 1812 until the mid 1820s. For Digital Doors Open, explore The Commons through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- National Historic Site (Canada)
Contact info
440 King StreetNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Telephone: 905-468-6614
www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=430
Architecture
Year built: 1814-54Building type: Government building, Historical landmark, Military
Landscape: Landscape, Natural heritage
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Christ Church-McNab Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Land for this church was donated by William Servos; Edward Hiscott and James Servos mortgaged their farms for the loans. The first service was held here on Christmas Eve 1853 and was led by Reverend A.F. Atkinson. In the adjacent cemetery, there is a burial ground for Black slaves who escaped from the United States and lived near Eight Mile Creek. While this church remains closed, you can learn more about this fascinating site through the video below as part of Digital Doors Open.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Contact info
1294 McNab RoadNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
http://niagaraanglican.ca/parish/christ-church-mcnab
Architecture
Year built: 1853Architect: William Thomas
Building type: Place of worship
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Clare's Harley-Davidson of Niagara Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
New
Throughout this store, you can see architectural touches of reclaimed and repurposed materials. Outside, a large water tower – originally from Fort Erie – was relocated to form the Harley Davidson sign. Inside, reclaimed brick was used to create the industrial feel. The wood panelling came from Buffalo, New York and features original mailboxes from a small apartment building. Other items such as the vintage window in the sales offices and doors came from the same source. In the ladies’ washroom is a bathroom counter from the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In addition, the original art deco interior and other restaurant fittings from Diana Sweets – a restaurant that operated for 75 years in St. Catharines – has now been restored inside! As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about this unique site in the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- Kid-friendly
- Partial wheelchair access
- Self-guided tours available
Contact info
590 York RoadNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Telephone: 905-684-4647
Email: lisa@clarescycle.com
www.claresharleydavidson.com
Architecture
Year built: 2008Building type: Commercial, Historical landmark
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Exchange Brewery, The Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Constructed in 1880, this building was Niagara's first telephone exchange. In 2015, it was transformed into a brewery, but it retains some of its original features. Original hemlock floor joists became the second-floor bar and tabletops. Some nods to the building's use as a telephone exchange include brewing numbers (instead of names) and a tasting board shaped like a rotary dial. As part of Digital Doors Open, you can learn more about this unique site through the video below. Check their website, too, for virtual events - including Sourpalooza.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Contact info
7 Queen StreetNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Telephone: 905-468-9888
https://exchangebrewery.com
Architecture
Year built: 1880; adapted in 2015Architect: Williamson Chong
Architectural style: Art moderne
Building type: Commercial, Food and drink
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Grace United Church Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Steps away from Queen Street, with yew trees flanking the front entrance, this storied church has an interesting history. Built in 1852 for the Canada Presbyterian Church, it was vacated by 1874 and later purchased at auction by the local Methodist congregation. In 1925, the United Church of Canada was formed and local congregations merged to become Grace United Church. As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about Grace United by watching the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 1852Architect: W.M. Thomas
Architectural style: Romanesque revival
Building type: Place of worship
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Navy Hall Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
New
In 1765, British naval craftsmen from Fort Niagara erected a barracks on the opposite side of the Niagara River. Over the years, several buildings – known collectively as Navy Hall – evolved into a key military supply facility for British forts on the upper Great Lakes. During the American Revolution, the Provincial Marine wintered at Navy Hall and, in 1792, Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe converted one of the buildings into his residence. The Lieutenant Governor's home in the first capital of the Province of Upper Canada later served as a dining hall for the officers at Fort George. Navy Hall was destroyed by American forces during the War of 1812. After the war, the British rebuilt some of the buildings, of which one still survives today. As part of Digital Doors Open, you can learn more about this site’s remarkable history through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- National Historic Site (Canada)
Contact info
305 Ricardo StreetNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Telephone: 905-468-6614
www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/culture/navyhall
Architecture
Year built: c. 1815Building type: Historical landmark, Military
Landscape: Landscape, Natural heritage
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara District Court House Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
New
The Niagara Court House was constructed c. 1847 and served as the official county seat of Niagara District – with courtrooms, meeting rooms and jail cells – until the judicial courts were moved to St. Catharines in 1862. Its large courtroom interior was home to the Shaw Festival’s Court House Theatre until 1973. Today, Parks Canada and the Chamber of Commerce use the building for offices. The Court House received designation as a National Historic Site in 1981. For Digital Doors Open, learn more about the site in the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- National Historic Site (Canada)
- Parking
- Partial wheelchair access
- Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
- Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
- Washrooms
Contact info
26 Queen StreetNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Telephone: 905-468-3061, ext. 263
Architecture
Year built: 1847Architect: William Thomas
Architectural style: Neoclassical
Building type: Courthouse, Historical landmark, Theatre
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, The Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
This art gallery and studio is located in the old pumping station (circa 1891) that supplied water to the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake until 1983. The Pumphouse Art Centre Association was formed in 1990 and the building was restored and converted into a visual arts centre in 1994. The Pumphouse offers year-round educational programs, exhibitions and events that promote the arts. As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about this fascinating centre through the video below.
- Kid-friendly
- Parking
- Partial wheelchair access
- Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
- Washrooms
Architecture
Year built: 1891Architectural style: Victorian
Building type: Historical landmark, Museum
Landscape: Garden
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Niagara Historical Society was founded in 1895 and opened the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum in 1907. The museum collects, preserves, researches, educates and promotes the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake and its communities – inspiring an appreciation of local history through engaging programs and exhibitions. While the museum is currently open with reduced hours and new COVID protocols in place, there remains so much that can be done digitally. Start by learning about the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake through this video. Check out their online exhibits through Google Arts & Culture. Learn about some of the town's historical figures through video cemetery tours. Or try one of their online quizzes to test your knowledge about Niagara-on-the-Lake and its surrounding communities.
- Kid-friendly
- National Historic Site (Canada)
- Parking
- Partial wheelchair access
- Self-guided tours available
- Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
- Washrooms
Architecture
Year built: High school building (built 1806), Memorial Hall (built 1906) and Link Building (built 1971)Architect: W.B. Allan
Architectural style: Italianate
Building type: Attraction, Historical landmark, Museum
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
RiverBrink Art Museum Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
RiverBrink houses approximately 1,400 works of art – including paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures. Exhibitions, installed year-round, come from the collection of Samuel E. Weir, and from public and private loans. This building was, in fact, his homestead, purchased in 1943. An art library, decorative arts and impressive views of the Niagara River enhance the visitor experience. Visitors can enjoy three floors of exhibition space, a gift shop and the library's priceless collection of books on art, history and local and regional geography. The museum remains open, with restrictions in place. But, as part of Digital Doors Open, you can learn more about this intriguing site through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- Full wheelchair access
- Parking
- Washrooms
Architecture
Year built: 1950sArchitect: Arthur E. Nutter
Architectural style: Georgian
Building type: Museum
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
The original church was built here in 1794, but was burned by the occupying American army in 1813 during the War of 1812. A new church was built in 1831, but it was destroyed by a cyclone. In 1855, the current building was constructed. While major restorations occurred in 1937 and 1991, the interior and exterior appear much the same as the 1831 church. Learn more about this church and its history by watching the video below as part of Digital Doors Open.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- Full wheelchair access
- Parking
- Washrooms
Architecture
Year built: 1855Architect: Kivas Tully
Building type: Cemetery, Place of worship
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
St. Mark's Anglican Church Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
This collection of buildings sits in two pristine hectares (seven acres). The 18th-century church has been in continuous use longer than any other church in Ontario. A cemetery, still in use, records a burial from 1782. The 1886 Addison Hall houses parish functions and the impressive home of the rector is an unusual 1858 Tuscan rectory. For Digital Doors Open, learn more about the church by watching the video below. Note: This church is currently only open for one Sunday service. Check their website for full details.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
- Full wheelchair access
- Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
- Washrooms
Architecture
Year built: 1792Building type: Place of worship, Private residence
Landscape: Natural heritage
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Willowbank Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake
Willowbank is a neoclassical estate house (1834) situated in a picturesque landscape. As a private residence, the estate changed hands several times. The site has over 8,000 years of documented human use, as Indigenous people used the ravine as a portage route. The lower campus is the Laura Secord School, built in 1914 (an extension was built in the 1950s). Learn more about Willowbank as part of Digital Doors Open by watching the video below, or take a campus tour of this exciting heritage conservation school.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
- National Historic Site (Canada)
- Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
- Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
Architecture
Year built: 1834Architect: John Latshaw
Architectural style: Neoclassical
Building type: Educational facility, Historical landmark
Landscape: Natural heritage
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake