Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor

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Doors Open Ontario:

Guelph

in-person event information

Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Doors Open Guelph returns with free guided tours of some of the city's most architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites. Come and explore tours and interactive experiences throughout the day!

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    Contact information

    11 In-person Doors Open sites

    404 York RoadDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    404 York Road

    404 York Road offers visitors an eclectic mix of the arts along with the Lost Aviators Coffee Co. to refuel in between Doors Open stops along your itinerary. The building encompasses Ed Video — a charitable media arts centre — the Artworks Gallery Guelph and Azure Photography. Note: The Artworks Gallery Guelph’s will feature Adam Honsinger and Rain Bone performing original music.

    • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Self-guided tours available
    • Photography allowed

    Contact info

    404 York Road
    Guelph, Ontario

    Architecture

    Building type: Commercial Gallery

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Dublin Street United ChurchDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Dublin Street United Church

    This Gothic church celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Overcrowding in the First Wesleyan Methodist Church on Norfolk Street (now the Mission) led to the creation of this building in 1874 — in what would have then been the suburbs. Come and view the beautiful pipe organ, works of art and soaring stained-glass windows.

    • Guided tours available
    • Parking
    • Partial wheelchair access
    • Washrooms
    • Photography allowed
    • Rental opportunities

    Contact info

    68 Suffolk Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://www.guelphunited.org/dublin

    Architecture

    Year built: 1874
    Building type: Place of worship

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Guelph City GreenhousesDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Guelph City Greenhouses

    Nestled in Riverside Park, above the floral clock, these greenhouses grow gorgeous planters that decorate downtown streets and municipal buildings. See how City staff prepare for the spring planting, and see the plan for this year’s floral clock and Blossom Express. While here, check out other amenities in Riverside Park, including the Enabling Garden and the children’s playground.

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

    Contact info

    709 Woolwich Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://guelph.ca/park/riverside-park

    Architecture


    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Guelph City HallDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Guelph City Hall

    After 153 years in the original town hall (now the Provincial Offences Court), Guelph's new city hall opened in 2009. Designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, it combines the original firehall and the wall from the Provincial Winter Fair with modern green-building technologies. Step into the courtyard to see the old town bell and the centre-ice marker from the Memorial Gardens.

    • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Guided tours available
    • Washrooms
    • Photography allowed
    • Rental opportunities

    Contact info

    1 Carden Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://guelph.ca/city-hall/city-hall

    Architecture

    Year built: 2009
    Building type: Government building
    Architect: Moriyama Teshima Architects

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Guelph Little TheatreDoors Open Guelph

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Guelph Little Theatre

    In 1935, the first Little Theatre opened at Guelph City Hall. In 1993, a fire forced the theatre out of the Salvation Army Hall on Dublin Street. In 1997, it moved into a former welding shop that now features a 288-seat raked auditorium, gracious lobby, rehearsal hall, workshop and dressing rooms.

    • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Guided tours available
    • Kid-friendly
    • Parking
    • Washrooms
    • Photography allowed

    Contact info

    176 Morris Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://guelphlittletheatre.com

    Architecture

    Year built: 1960
    Building type: Theatre

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Guelph Masonic CentreDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Guelph Masonic Centre

    Steeped in history — and mystery — Guelph’s first Masonic Lodge was established in 1849, occupying space on Wyndham Street for decades. The “new” Guelph Masonic Centre has been home to local Masons and their long-standing traditions since 1914. Nestled between Quebec Street and Chapel Lane, this building had a $1 million renovation in 2000, modernizing it while retaining original limestone walls.

    • Full wheelchair access
    • Guided tours available
    • Washrooms

    Contact info

    21 Chapel Lane
    Guelph, Ontario

    Architecture

    Year built: c. 1860
    Building type: Historical landmark Masonic lodge

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Guelph Research and Development CentreDoors Open Guelph

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Guelph Research and Development Centre

    This Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centre focuses on food safety and value-added food attributes to help foster a profitable and sustainable agri-food sector in Canada. During Doors Open, observe the many labs and learn from food scientists about research being conducted on food quality, food safety, enhanced health benefits and new areas of research on the horizon.

    • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Guided tours available
    • Parking
    • Washrooms

    Architecture

    Building type: Educational facility Food and drink Government building

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Heritage HallDoors Open Guelph

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Heritage Hall

    This building, previously a British Methodist Episcopal Church, was built in 1880 by former Black slaves using limestone quarried from Essex Street. In 2012, the Guelph Black Heritage Society purchased and renovated the site, which is now a cultural, historical and social centre. Experience the mosaic tile Underground Railway quilt that tells the story of Guelph’s Black community.

    • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Guided tours available
    • Kid-friendly
    • Washrooms
    • Photography allowed
    • Rental opportunities

    Contact info

    83 Essex Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://guelphblackheritage.ca

    Architecture

    Year built: 1880
    Building type: Historical landmark Place of worship
    Architect: William Slater

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Provincial Offences CourtDoors Open Guelph

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Provincial Offences Court

    This Victorian Renaissance revival-style building served as Guelph’s town hall from 1856 to 2009 when the new city hall opened. Designed by William Thomas, it features carved stone, quarry stone quoins and a vermiculated key stone arch around the doors. In 2009, it was adapted as a courthouse, featuring original windows, crown mouldings, arched cells and a performance hall.

    • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
    • Full wheelchair access
    • Guided tours available
    • National Historic Site (Canada)
    • Washrooms

    Contact info

    59 Carden Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://guelph.ca/living/provincial-offences-court

    Architecture

    Year built: 1856
    Building type: Courthouse Government building Historical landmark
    Architect: William Thomas

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Trails Open: The Rapids SidetrailDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Trails Open: The Rapids Sidetrail

    Guelph has always been defined by its rivers. Come and take an informative hike alongside the rapids of the Speed River in Guelph’s Dufferin neighbourhood. This 1-kilometre (3,280-foot) section of the Trans Canada Trail was created by locals and upgraded by Guelph Hiking Trail Club volunteers in 2020 during the pandemic. Hikes will be offered on demand throughout the day.

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

    Contact info

    45 Speedvale Avenue East (use the rear parking lot)
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://www.guelphhiking.com/event-5619991

    Architecture


    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27

    Woodlawn Memorial Park MausoleumDoors Open Guelph

    New

    • In-person Doors Open Ontario

    Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum

    Dedicated in 1930, this classical-style limestone building is at the heart of Woodlawn Memorial Park. Set within the burial ground that was established in 1854, the marble interior of this mausoleum contains 300 crypts and ornamental features like stained-glass windows and hand-painted plaster ceilings. During Doors Open, tour the crematorium in the lower level as well.

    • Guided tours available
    • Parking

    Contact info

    762 Woolwich Street
    Guelph, Ontario
    https://www.woodlawnmemorialpark.ca

    Architecture

    Year built: 1930
    Building type: Cemetery

    Dates/hours open

    Apr 27 - Apr 27