Waterloo Region
Event information
Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region is an entirely virtual experience.
The digital program will be delivered in video episodes spanning 5 to 10 minutes in length. Episodes will premiere online and launch weekly from late August through September 19, 2020.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for sneak peeks leading up to the launch of each episode. Join our mailing list to receive updates and notifications when episodes are released. Mailing list members are eligible to win great, exclusive prizes throughout August and September.
Virtual scavenger hunt
Each new episode will come with its own virtual scavenger hunt. Viewers will have the opportunity to answer questions about each participating site (the answer can be found somewhere in each video). Instructions for the virtual scavenger hunt will be posted on our social media accounts.
Contact info
Brubacher House Museum Doors Open Waterloo Region
Laura and Josh Enns live in a museum — a Mennonite farmhouse built in 1850 that is located smack-dab in the middle of the University of Waterloo tech park. For the past four years, the young couple has called Brubacher House their home, living in modern accommodations on the second floor as they promote and manage the museum and its grounds. They're also working to update the narrative of the land to reflect its origins as territory belonging to the Attawandaron, Huron-Wendat, Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below to learn more about living and working in this museum.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Contact info
275 Frank Tompa DriveWaterloo, Ontario
https://uwaterloo.ca/grebel/about-grebel/our-partners/brubacher-house
Architecture
Year built: 1850; renovated 1970sArchitectural style: Georgian
Building type: Historical house, Museum
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
A year-round tropical paradise and home to thousands of exquisite plants, butterflies, moths and bugs, the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory has been a remarkable institution in Waterloo Region since 2001. As a privately owned Canadian corporation, it is entirely self-reliant and must juggle the business of attraction with the responsibility of education, research and conservation. Andalyne Tofflemire, Conservatory Manager and naturalist, tours viewers throughout the magical 2,322-square-metre (25,000-square-foot) facility and its daily behind-the-scenes operations. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes experience of this tropical paradise.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 2002Building type: Attraction, Educational facility
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Clearpath Robotics Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Dull, dirty and dangerous. These are the types of jobs that Clearpath Robotics is working to automate. Founded in 2009 by four University of Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering grads, Clearpath and its sister company OTTO Motors develop hardware, software and services to enable self-driving vehicle development, deployment and fleet operation. The award-winning company works with over 500 of the world’s most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that span industrial materials handling, mining, military, agriculture, aerospace and academia. Find out why Clearpath values automating dull, dirty and dangerous jobs in the following episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Architecture
Building type: CommercialDates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Eby Manor Golden Guernsey Milk Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
For all but 10 days of his life, Jim Eby has lived on this dairy farm in Woolwich, now known as Eby Manor. You'll be moo-ved by his story of the family operation that seized a golden (Guernsey) opportunity to create something truly special in the new niche milk market. Denoted by its unique, creamy texture and iconic glass bottles, Eby Manor and its small herd boast an avid following. As part of Digital Doors Open, find out more about Eby Manor and this dairy operation through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Building type: Food and drinkDates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Filming The Handmaid's Tale in Cambridge - Part 1 Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Part 1 of a two-part series on how Cambridge became Gilead in The Handmaid’s Tale. The architecture, heritage buildings and stunning natural features of Cambridge are showcased in the award-winning web television series The Handmaid's Tale. The city's unique assets, central location and welcoming vibe for the production team made it winner. After three celebrated seasons and 37 major award victories, it's easy now to applaud the city's work to accommodate large production crews with tight schedules and narrow lead times. But what was it like for Devon Hogue, the Business Information Officer for the City of Cambridge during those first days in August 2016 when the Handmaid's Tale was just a concept being pitched for the first time? Just how do you explain to residents why there are gallows erected in the park, army tanks and men with machine guns on the bridge, and three bodies hanging from the wall by the river? Find out in the following episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region. And check the city's map of filming locations.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Contact info
36 Water Street NorthCambridge, Ontario
Architecture
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Filming The Handmaid's Tale in Cambridge - Part 2 Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Part 2 of a two-part series on how Cambridge became Gilead in The Handmaid’s Tale. Under her eye: The award-winning web television series The Handmaid's Tale showcases much of the architecture, heritage buildings and stunning natural features of Cambridge in its fictional rendering of a dystopian Gilead. The city's unique assets, central location, and welcoming vibe for the production team made it winner. After three celebrated seasons and 37 major award victories, many of these key locations have put Cambridge on the map worldwide – with viewers and film production companies alike. Devon Hogue, the Business Information Officer for the City of Cambridge, takes us on a tour of key locations and the many challenges and rewards along the way. Join the tour in the below episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region. And don’t forget to check out the filming locations on the city’s map.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Contact info
Ontario
Architecture
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum Curatorial Centre Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
With nearly 50,000 items capturing life in Waterloo Region, the collection at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is the most comprehensive of any local museum in Canada. These artifacts’ origins range from the 1500s to the modern era and are lovingly obtained by, and preserved in, the museum’s state-of-the-art Curatorial Centre. The acquisition and safekeeping of these items provides a comprehensive visual history of the region and its stories. But the effort to preserve the past also serves the community in understanding the present and navigating the future. Explore the Curatorial Centre in the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Building type: MuseumDates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Martin's Family Fruit Farm Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Seven generations have farmed the land in Woolwich Township that is now home to Martin’s Family Fruit Farm - one of the largest apple growers, packers and shippers in Canada. While the business has blossomed with innovation and expansion in the past decade, each one of the orchards’ millions of apples is still picked carefully by hand, and locals continue to buy apples in the onsite Orchard Market. With the help of up to 300 employees, the Martins still run this family business, and they do so according to their core values that support their mission of growing for healthy communities. During Digital Doors Open, learn more about this family and their thriving business through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Year built: Established in 1971Building type: Food and drink
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Parkview Crematorium Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
The death industry is changing and Parkview Crematorium in Waterloo is one of just a handful of crematoriums still owned and operated by municipalities in Ontario. In 2019, it seemed Parkview might also close amidst competition from private operators. But the community rose to save it from the ashes.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Contact info
335 University AvenueWaterloo, Ontario
www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/cemetery-locations.aspx
Architecture
Year built: 1977Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) Doors Open Waterloo Region
Once upon a time, the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) consisted of two grass air strips. Today, it consistently ranks as one of the 20 busiest airports in Canada. YKF is unique in many ways and this behind-the-scenes exploration of its daily operation reveals a thriving aviation community that is passionate about safety and growth. Still enchanted by the magic of air travel, the dedicated staff are planning today to better serve Waterloo Region tomorrow. Find out how in the following episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 1929Building type: Transportation
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Shand Dam Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Despite its location in the neighbouring municipality of Centre Wellington, the Shand Dam has been vital to the health and wellbeing of Waterloo Region since it opened in 1942. In this episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region, the Grand River Conservation Authority provides web visitors with exclusive access throughout the dam’s superstructure, explaining the marvellous wartime feats of engineering that created it, and the balance of technology and human knowledge required to maintain it.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 1942Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
SPECTRUM - Rainbow Community Space Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
SPECTRUM is Waterloo Region’s first ever LGBTQ/rainbow community space. The small-but-mighty haven created by SPECTRUM is currently located in the historical Boehmer Box building in Kitchener. This poignant episode explores the rainbow community's long struggle to establish safe gathering spaces within Waterloo Region, and includes a walking tour hosted by SPECTRUM's President, Cait Glasson. Watch the episode below from Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region and explore downtown Kitchener from Glasson's perspective.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Architecture
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Stephanie Boutari: Mural Artist Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
In 2017, Stephanie Boutari took a big leap to paint big, joining her husband Adam (BOKO Studio) on a path of artistic and design exploration to make ideas happen. Her large-scale murals, often featuring vibrant palettes and geometric shapes, have been commissioned for dozens of public and commercial spaces throughout Waterloo Region. Inspired by the ways in which colour and scale transform the perception of space, Boutari’s work is refining her relationship between art and architecture. Watch the episode below of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region to learn how Boutari is painting the town big.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Architecture
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Tapestry Hall and the Foundry Brewing Co. Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Tapestry Hall is a new skin on old, strong bones. From its foundry roots of 1847 to today's reinvention as a premier event venue in Galt's burgeoning Gaslight District, this new, chic space is a warm embrace with storied limestone bricks, beaten wooden beams and smooth concrete. Voluptuous windows spill light throughout the hall, taproom and onsite brewery as the world's largest living sculpture, called Meander, draws from the ceiling to greet and guide visitors throughout this historical masterpiece. As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about this unique venue through the video below.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 1847Building type: Commercial, Food and drink
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Timeless Material Company, The Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
Since its inception in 2002, The Timeless Material Company has operated in the true spirit of salvage. While preserving and repurposing wood and other building products from historical and iconic local structures, this Waterloo family business has simultaneously diverted tons of quality material from landfill. Working with its sister company Kieswetter Demolition, The Timeless Material Company promotes and facilitates a modern afterlife for the building components of our past. During Digital Doors Open, explore this unique site through the video below and learn more about its spirit of salvage.
- Digital Doors Open
- Video
Architecture
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region
Waterloo Brewing Doors Open Waterloo Region
New
While it is now the largest craft brewery in Ontario, it was also the first, and Waterloo Brewing is simultaneously expanding its scope while stoking that pioneering spirit that launched it 36 years ago. Brewing beer with character, for people of character, the entire operation now runs from a single Kitchener location. It features a new beer store, patio and taphouse where a microbrewery affords passionate beer-loving staff to dream up and test the next big thing. Learn more about Waterloo Brewing's passion for craft beer in the following episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region.
- Digital Doors Open
- Virtual tour
- Video
Architecture
Year built: 1984Building type: Commercial, Food and drink
Dates/hours open
Friday May 1 – Wednesday March 31, 2021Part of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region