Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor

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Doors Open Ontario:

London

in-person event information

September 16 and 17, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The theme for the 22nd annual Doors Open London is “London’s heritage through cuisine.” This concept incorporates both the nutritional and social value of food, allowing participants and attendees to explore London’s history and culture through cuisine.

This unique two-day event allows participating sites to showcase how cuisine has impacted their organizations, the way they tell their stories, and the everyday lives of Londoners. Over 40 sites will be open for exploration free of charge for residents and visitors. They may spotlight local artisan chefs, host demonstrations related to food, offer tours of their facilities, or run activities that demonstrate London’s heritage through the role of cuisine. Examples of activities include farm tours, kitchen tours, cooking classes, re-enactment dinners and interactive history lessons.

This annual event has become widely recognized as a weekend of communal gathering, celebration and recognition for London’s heritage sector, featuring hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes.” The weekend also aims to provide a range of activities to ensure that all community members can match their curiosities and embrace opportunities for public engagement.

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Community information

London, Ontario is an urban hub with a population of over 400,000. London is unique in the fact that it is a major urban centre that geographically sits in the middle of several rural communities that comprise Southwestern Ontario.

Doors Open London events target not only residents of London, but also visitors to the city, coming from those rural areas surrounding the city and beyond. London is primarily an English-speaking community, with a growing population of diverse cultures. Over 20 per cent of London's population is made up of different ethnic groups. London does also have a French-speaking community. Spanish and Arabic are the other two major languages spoken here.

Explore the city and discover its diversity!

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Become a volunteer

The London Heritage Council does not coordinate volunteers for Doors Open Ontario. Participating sites throughout London will recruit and coordinate their own volunteers. Event volunteer roles are varied, such as providing guided tours of the site, managing crowds, managing the artists/performers as they perform through the weekend, and performing dance, music and/or historical re-enactments.

We invite you to reach out directly to a site if you wish to volunteer with them. Thank you.

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Local support

Doors Open London has always been successful at garnering support from local community organizations and will once again be supported by the City of London, Tourism London, various local business associations and print, radio and television media.

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Contact information

19 In-person Doors Open sites

1st Hussars MuseumDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

1st Hussars Museum

During Doors Open, the 1st Hussars Regiment and the 1st Hussars Cavalry Troop will have interactive outdoor displays as well as tours and stories told about the displays within the museum. All of this activity will include examples of how food was provided to the Regiment over the years, including during the Great War and the Second World War.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Contact info

1 Dundas Street
London, Ontario
Email: tea.granny@sympatico.ca
https://www.first-hussars.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1880-81
Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

427 Wing and Spirit of Flight Aviation MuseumDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario
427 Wing and Spirit of Flight Aviation Museum

During Doors Open, 427 Wing will explore the food theme with presentations on rationing that occurred during the First and Second World Wars, meals for servicemen, home-front recipes when ingredients were scarce, demands on Canadian farmers to increase agricultural yields, local and national plans to harvest crops after farmers enlisted, and the recruitment of farm girls or Farmerettes.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms

Contact info

2155 Crumlin Side Road
London, Ontario
Email: linda.brimson@yahoo.com
http://www.427wing.com

Architecture

Year built: 1939-40
Building type: Green building Military Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Architectural Conservancy Ontario Guided Walking TourDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Architectural Conservancy Ontario Guided Walking Tour

This year’s guided walking tour will follow a food-to-table theme — exploring the city's gastronomical roots and telling the stories of restaurants, past and present, and their diverse cuisines. Participants will also visit Covent Garden Market as the historical food distribution source for restaurants and home cooking. Presented by the Architectural Conservancy Ontario London Region Branch.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

Meet at Museum London (421 Ridout Street North)
London, Ontario
Email: genethodder@rogers.com
https://acontario.ca/branch.php?b_id=2

Architecture

Year built: Various

Architect: Various

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Brick Street CemeteryDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Brick Street Cemetery

Good cuisine begins with farming. For over 200 years, the Brick Street Cemetery has served the rural farming community that was Westminster Township. In fact, most of those buried here were farmers. A visit to the cemetery will engage the visitor with the earliest pioneer farmers in the London area, their farming practices, challenges, hardships, lasting contributions and legacies.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms

Contact info

370 Commissioners Road West
London, Ontario
Email: bsc1813@yahoo.com
https://ontariofamilyhistory.org/brickstreetcemetery

Architecture

Year built: c. 1813
Building type: Cemetery

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 16

Canada LifeDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Canada Life

Canada Life — an insurance company and presenting sponsor of Doors Open London — opens its doors for people to visit the cafeteria that has nourished employees since 1951. Learn about the evolution of their corporate kitchen, explore new food offerings, and learn about employee wellness initiatives. See the Selwyn Dewdney mural, which graces the cafeteria bulkhead, and the new lobby display!

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

Contact info

255 Dufferin Avenue
London, Ontario
https://www.canadalife.com

Architecture

Year built: 1926
Building type: Commercial Historical landmark
Architect: John M. Moore and Company

Dates/hours open

Sep 17 - Sep 17

Clayworx Ceramic Arts Learning Centre (formerly London Clay Art Centre)Doors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Clayworx Ceramic Arts Learning Centre (formerly London Clay Art Centre)

Visitors to the Clayworx Ceramic Arts Learning Centre will learn about the fascinating history of pottery and bricks in the area. There will be wheel demonstrations, clay activities for children and guided tours of the building to learn about its history. Learn how renovations from 2008-13 and in 2022 transformed the building into a fully accessible and spectacular arts facility.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

664 Dundas Street
London, Ontario
Email: info@clayworx.ca
https://www.clayworx.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1896
Building type: Commercial

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

East Village MarketDoors Open London

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario
East Village Market

Originally the Somerville Box Factory and later the O-Pee-Chee Candy Factory, this impressive turn-of-the-century yellow brick building has been converted into a multi-use space. Activities offered during Doors Open include: a hands-on cupcake-making activity at Roots 8, and a kitchen tour and cookie decorating session at Baker's Table & Pastry Co. Bring your appetite!

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

Contact info

630 Dundas Street
London, Ontario
Email: jbyoung052@gmail.com

Architecture

Year built: 1903
Building type: Commercial Food and drink
Architect: Herbert Edward Matthews

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 16

Eldon House Heritage Site and GardensDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Eldon House Heritage Site and Gardens

Virtually unchanged since the 19th century, this is London’s oldest residence, with family heirlooms and furnishings from the Harris Family. During Doors Open, you can take a self-guided tour of the house and grounds, and enjoy outdoor activities, including Victorian lawn games for families and children. The museum will also have a display of food-related items from the collection.

  • Kid-friendly
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Contact info

481 Ridout Street North
London, Ontario
Email: info@eldonhouse.ca
https://eldonhouse.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1834
Building type: Historical landmark Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Fanshawe Pioneer VillageDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Fanshawe Pioneer Village

During Doors Open London at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, you will have the chance to learn about their heritage and cuisine through historical baking demonstrations, presentations about the food ways of the past, tours of a hearth kitchen, tours of wood stove kitchens, presentations about historical kitchen gardens, and take-home recipe cards with instructions for cooking original recipes from long ago!

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Contact info

2609 Fanshawe Park Road East (enter at 1424 Clarke Road)
London, Ontario
Email: info@fanshawepioneervillage.ca
https://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1959
Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Grosvenor LodgeDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Grosvenor Lodge

The Heritage London Foundation will be offering activities including tours of the Grosvenor Lodge historical site with its 1950s kitchen, Victorian dining room and exterior gardens and structures. Recipes that would have been used in the 1850s will also be highlighted and demonstrations on preserving fresh produce will occur. Children can enjoy games and activities on the spacious grounds.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Architecture

Year built: 1853

Architect: Samuel and Ann Peters

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 16

Hamilton Road Experience TourDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Hamilton Road Experience Tour

Join the Hamilton Road Business Improvement Area for a one-of-a-kind three-hour bus tour of Hamilton Road, allowing you to see the extraordinary tree trunk sculptures along the Hamilton Road corridor, each with its own unique story. As part of this tour, you will also sample the international flavours, sights, sounds, history and culture of this vibrant community. Learn more here.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

Start at 525 Hamilton Road (Hamilton Road Seniors' Community Centre)
London, Ontario
Email: Carolynhamroadbia@gmail.com
https://www.hamroad.com/tour

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 16

HDR Architecture Associates Inc.Doors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

HDR Architecture Associates Inc.

Come and visit HDR London's design studio to tour a busy practice and talk to team members about architecture and design. Learn about the design process for commercial and institutional projects and participate in conversations around how architectural design impacts their lives. Also, visiting children will have the opportunity to participate in a design competition themed around design and food.

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

Contact info

252 Pall Mall Street, Suite 300
London, Ontario
Email: david.flett@hdrinc.com
https://www.hdrinc.com

Architecture

Building type: Commercial

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Ivey Business SchoolDoors Open London

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Ivey Business School

To celebrate this year’s Doors Open theme, Ivey alumni will be onsite to share stories behind their food and drink businesses. You’ll have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of entrepreneurs offering products from coffee and custom-made chocolates to Asian-fusion foods and boozy beverages. Samples will be offered, as well as products made available for purchase.

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

Contact info

1255 Western Road
London, Ontario
Email: nebel@ivey.ca
https://www.ivey.uwo.ca

Architecture

Year built: 2013
Building type: Educational facility

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 16

Jet Aircraft MuseumDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Jet Aircraft Museum

During Doors Open, there is much to discover here! Explore a working aircraft hangar, interact with historical aircrafts, learn about the science of flight with demonstrations in the schoolroom, experience a flight simulator, sit in the cockpit of a Cold War-era jet and wooden Dash-8 mock-up, and explore post-war cuisine through vintage cookbooks.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Contact info

2465 Aviation Lane, Unit 2
London, Ontario
Email: harleymgillis@gmail.com
http://www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca

Architecture

Building type: Commercial Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

London Children's MuseumDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

London Children's Museum

The London’s Children’s Museum curates powerful play experiences through immersive environments, authentic materials and meaningful relationships. This year, for Doors Open, you can enjoy nine interactive exhibits. In addition, experience programming that highlights the many varieties of apple found in Southwestern Ontario. Try out a traditional apple press, test your taste buds and explore inside their early-years sensory space.

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

Contact info

21 Wharncliffe Road South
London, Ontario
Email: jfenton@londonchildrensmuseum.ca
https://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1915
Building type: Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Museum LondonDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Museum London

Come and enjoy a journey of the senses! Begin with a visual scavenger hunt for food-themed items throughout their exhibitions and collections. Draw, paint and present your favourite dish on the community tablescape at The Centre at the Forks, the museum’s newly renovated community space. There are many activities offered by Museum London during Doors Open.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

421 Ridout Street North
London, Ontario
Email: info@museumlondon.ca
http://www.museumlondon.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1980
Building type: Museum
Architect: Raymond Moriyama

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Museum of Ontario ArchaeologyDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Museum of Ontario Archaeology

Come and learn about the history and ecology of beekeeping from London’s learning apiary. Wander the archaeological grounds of this 500-year-old Indigenous village, explore the plants and animals in Medway Valley Heritage Forest, and learn more about how humans have always shaped and controlled their environments through processes such as agricultural domestication to create culinary foods and byproducts.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Contact info

1600 Attawandaron Road
London, Ontario
Email: info@archaeologymuseum.ca
https://archaeologymuseum.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1981
Building type: Museum
Architect: Spriet Associates

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 16

Secrets of Radar Museum, TheDoors Open London

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Secrets of Radar Museum, The

This museum is dedicated to preserving the experiences, artifacts and history of the men and women who helped build, develop, operate and maintain Canadian radar. Learn about the history of radar in Canada through exhibitions, programming and public research facilities. Doors Open visitors will also learn the culinary experiences of radar personnel from fine dining to field rations.

  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Contact info

2155B Crumlin Side Road
London, Ontario
Email: info@secretsofradar.com
https://www.secretsofradar.com

Architecture

Year built: 1900-45
Building type: Military Museum

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17

Urban Roots LondonDoors Open London

New

  • In-person Doors Open Ontario

Urban Roots London

Visit this farm and learn about urban agriculture, ecological restoration and beekeeping. Activities include farm tours, guided vegetable harvesting and a tour of the beehives. Make and bring home a seed bomb filled with native pollinator plants and participate in a fun scavenger hunt. Also, the market stand will be open with vegetables, herbs and flowers to purchase both days.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms

Contact info

21 Norlan Avenue
London, Ontario
https://www.urbanrootslondon.ca

Architecture

Year built: 2016
Building type: Farm

Dates/hours open

Sep 16 - Sep 17