This building served as the Ontario County Land Registry Office from 1873 until 1987. It was part of a block that included the Ontario County Courthouse and the Ontario County Gaol. Come and see how this heritage building has been refreshed and adapted to support the growth of Durham Region’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem – Whitby’s first accelerator hub!

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Bring your walking shoes as Whitby’s Heritage Planner and the Brooklin Heritage Society guide you through this historical village. Take in the neighborhood, meet the business owners, connect with neighbours, hear stories and discover unseen aspects of this community. Meet at the Brooklin Legion hall – originally a hotel, and later the Temperance House when liquor sales in hotels became prohibited.

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The Lynde Shores Conservation Area includes Cranberry Marsh and Lynde Marsh. Historically an Indigenous hunting ground, it is now a significant breeding habitat and important migratory stopover. During Doors Open, wear sturdy footwear to walk the accessible gravel trail and explore the Cranberry Marsh – including touch-table displays. Try your hand at feeding the friendly chickadees. Bring your camera!

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GO Transit’s new 46,451-square-metre (500,000-square-foot) state-of-the-art facility – built to LEED Gold certification standards – provides the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with fast, convenient and integrated transit. Stop by this site during Doors Open and see what goes into keeping GO trains in shape, and see how they get that perfect shade of green in the Paint Shop.

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This frame house – built for James Rowe, Whitby’s first mayor – is one of the finest surviving examples of early building at Port Whitby. The house contains the original interior central hall floor plan. Relocated in 1999, the house is now a museum run by the Whitby Community Heritage Association. As part of Doors Open, enjoy the vintage camera display.

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This community-based site was supported by donations, services and materials from local businesses, citizens and service clubs. Following 2018 renovations, the site now includes two full classrooms and welcomes over 15,000 students annually. Come and explore this kid-sized version of a real town – featuring small-scale buildings, detailed roadways, and more! Meet community partners to learn more about programs offered here.

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The original hospital, designed by James Govan, was built to house convalescing First World War soldiers. The current facility was modernized in 1996 (the Doctors’ Residence is all that remains of Govan’s original), and delivers innovative mental health care. During Doors Open, visitors can explore vendors, an arts workshop, historical artifacts and photographs, and the Family Resource Centre.

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The Spencer School Community Centre stands on the original location of a log schoolhouse (replaced in 1877 by the current building) that served rural residents northwest of Brooklin. The school closed in 1965 but reopened in 1967 as this community centre. During Doors Open, join a professional archaeological team and see what treasures you might find in the school yard.

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Whitby Junction Station was built for the Grand Trunk Railway in 1903. Its turrets and bays allowed telegraph operators to view incoming and outgoing trains. In 1970, the station was adapted into an art gallery. The heritage gallery makes use of the station’s old waiting room, where you can find intact original trim and the ticket window.

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Trafalgar Castle was originally built for Ontario County’s notorious sheriff Nelson Gilbert Reynolds by Toronto architect Joseph Sheard. Reynolds went bankrupt in 1874 and sold the building to the Methodist Church of Canada, which turned it into the Ontario Ladies’ College. Today, it operates as a private girls’ school. The principal’s residence was converted from a carriage house in 1877.

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Emmanuel Sleep from Cornwall, England purchased 57 acres here in 1879. Within three years, he had built this farmhouse with bricks from Toronto’s Don Valley Brick Yard; the staircase and library bookcases were made of black oak. Sleep eventually owned 500 acres, making him one of the area’s wealthiest farmers. During Doors Open, see how the property/business has been transformed.

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This Centre is home to Durham College’s culinary, food and farming, horticulture, hospitality and special events management programs. The building boasts numerous features – including an apiary, apple orchard, gardens and greenhouses – and provides fresh food each year for use in the college’s kitchens and laboratories. During Doors Open, join facility and garden tours, or grab a bite at The Pantry.

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This library was designed with a dynamic relationship between the interior and outdoor public spaces. During your Doors Open visit, you'll learn about all the building features that put the environment and technology top of mind. Get an inside look at the boiler room, pool room and computer systems area, and see where the archivist keeps the most historical documents.

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The first full-time firefighters were hired by the Whitby Fire Department in 1970. In 1998, they changed their name to Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, officially opening on September 21, 1999. Today, it operates five fire halls. During Doors Open, kids are invited to complete the Junior Firefighter obstacle course and experience simulated activities of a real firefighter!

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