Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
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Doors Open Ontario:

Burlington

in-person event information

Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit some of Burlington's notable cultural and historical landmarks as they celebrate the City’s 150th anniversary. All in-person Doors Open Burlington sites offer FREE admission and onsite activities. This year, learn more about the Doors Open Ontario theme of Food as you explore Burlington's culture and heritage!

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Burlington 150

This year marks Burlington’s 150th anniversary. The journey to Burlington’s sesquicentennial anniversary began in 1873 when the villages of Wellington Square and Port Nelson merged to become the Village of Burlington. The Village of Burlington became the Town of Burlington in 1914 and the City of Burlington in 1974.

Burlington 150 identifier

To help mark this occasion, a graphic identifier has been designed to highlight events and opportunities for residents to celebrate Burlington’s anniversary. The identifier was designed to capture the complexity and beauty of the land and the people. The plus symbol is in recognition of the Indigenous history of the land that goes beyond 150 years. We honour the diverse Indigenous peoples that have lived in this area and we acknowledge that Burlington is on Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The identifier uses four shapes and colours to represent Burlington:

  • green represents nature and the land
  • yellow symbolizes unity and the multicultural community
  • light blue symbolizes freedom as we continue to live in peace and harmony
  • orange represents commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

(Source: City of Burlington)

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Community information

Land acknowledgement

Burlington as we know it today is rich in the history and modern traditions of many First Nations and Métis. From the Anishinaabeg to the Haudenosaunee and the Métis – the lands spanning from Lake Ontario to the Niagara Escarpment are steeped in Indigenous history.

The territory is mutually covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum belt covenant, an agreement made between the Iroquois Confederacy, the Ojibway and other allied Nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

The history of Burlington is rich and exciting. The original inhabitants — First Nations peoples — have thrived among the many natural advantages of this area for centuries.

(Source: City of Burlington)

History

The history of Burlington is complex and varied. Its original inhabitants — First Nations peoples — have thrived among the many natural advantages of this area for centuries.

In 1669, French explorer Sieur de La Salle landed where LaSalle Park is now located. Beginning in the late 1700s, European settlers arrived along Burlington’s beautiful lakefront. In 1784, Captain Joseph Brant was granted a large land area by King George III in recognition of his support for the British in the American Revolution (1775-83). His land was the start of the village of Wellington Square. United Empire Loyalists began to settle in Burlington after the American Revolution, too, followed by emigrants from the British Isles and Europe. New homesteaders cleared lots on which to farm and live. From 1820 to 1850, lumber was the area’s principal export; later, wheat was exported to Europe.

In 1873, the villages of Wellington Square and Port Nelson merged to become the Village of Burlington, which then became the Town of Burlington in 1914. By 1900, Burlington had evolved into a prosperous farming community with mixed farms and cash crops of fruit and vegetables. It was known as the Garden of Canada. It was soon a thriving town with a busy main street and boatways, railways, the Queen Elizabeth Way highway and the Skyway Bridge, which serviced several manufacturing facilities.

Burlington became a city in 1974 and remains a welcome place to raise a family. It is an inclusive community that celebrates its history while embracing its present as a city where people, nature and businesses thrive.

(Source: Burlington Historical Society, 2022)

There’s lots to see and do in Burlington. Come and enjoy! For more information, visit Tourism Burlington.

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Become a volunteer

The Museums of Burlington's volunteer program has played, and continues to play, an essential part in the development and implementation of its programs, events and activities — including Doors Open Burlington.

Volunteering with the Museums of Burlington provides opportunities to:

  • give back to your community
  • seek professional development opportunities
  • build skills and training
  • gain experience that aligns with your education
  • achieve your community hours

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can find more information on the Museums of Burlington website, or you can contact their Volunteer Program Administrator, Robin Hill, at Robin.Hill@burlington.ca or by calling 905-634-3556, ext. 323.

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Contact information

5 In-person Doors Open sites

Backed By BeesDoors Open Burlington

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Backed By Bees

Backed By Bees started with two guys, some bees and a yellow shipping container on Burlington’s Appleby Line. The founders — a mead maker and a beekeeper — work with pollinators and the products of pollination to help sustain and increase local biodiversity, all while serving the community with quality local products. Come and see what the buzz is all about!

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Food vendors
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

6214 Appleby Line
Burlington, Ontario
Email: info@backedbybees.com
https://backedbybees.com

Architecture

Building type: Commercial Food and drink Farm

Dates/hours open

Aug 12 - Aug 12

Burlington Model Railway ClubDoors Open Burlington

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Burlington Model Railway Club

Currently, the Burlington Model Railway Club (BMRC) — established in the early 1980s — owns and operates model railways in three different scales. The club includes men, women and families from Burlington and the surrounding area who share a common interest of model railroading — in N scale, HO scale, and/or G scale — with skill levels varying from "beginner" to "expert."

  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

1137 Hidden Valley Road
Burlington, Ontario
Email: info@burlingtonmodelrailwayclub.ca
https://www.burlingtonmodelrailwayclub.ca

Architecture

Year built: established in the 1980s
Building type: Educational facility Transportation

Dates/hours open

Aug 12 - Aug 12

Freeman StationDoors Open Burlington

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario
  • Digital Doors Open Icon Ontario

Freeman Station

The Burlington Grand Trunk Railway Station, known as Freeman Station, was built to replace the original two-storey station that burned down in 1904. Until its 1988 closure, Freeman Station was still transporting passengers and freight. Now a museum, it was restored and is managed by the Friends of Freeman Station. This year, the station is part of Burlington 150 celebrations!

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms
  • Videos
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

1285 Fairview Street
Burlington, Ontario
http://www.freemanstation.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1906
Building type: Museum Transportation
Architect: Grand Trunk Railway

Dates/hours open

Aug 12 - Aug 12

Kilbride United ChurchDoors Open Burlington

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Kilbride United Church

Visit Kilbride for a look inside the historical Kilbride United Church, built in 1860. Learn about its history and how it was moved to its present location around 1878. The church has served the village of Kilbride and the local community for 163 years. During Doors Open, be sure to stop in the Community Room for an old-fashioned bake sale!

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Food vendors
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

2066 Kilbride Street
Burlington, Ontario
https://kilbrideunited.com

Architecture

Year built: 1860
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

Aug 12 - Aug 12

Union Burial GroundsDoors Open Burlington

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Union Burial Grounds

This cemetery was established by United Empire Loyalists on a portion of the Asahel Davis farm. Now, almost 175 years later, descendants continue to manage and maintain the site. During Doors Open Burlington, come and learn more about the Davis family and others Loyalist families who contributed to Burlington’s rich history.

  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

1001 Plains Road East
Burlington, Ontario

Architecture

Year built: Established in 1848
Building type: Cemetery

Dates/hours open

Aug 12 - Aug 12