Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
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Doors Open Ontario:

Niagara-on-the-Lake

in-person event information

Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit several sites of historical, architectural or cultural significance for free in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Discover what makes this community so unique! While sites are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., some businesses may restrict tour times to fit their business schedule. Please check individual site details before visiting. Details to come.

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Contact information

12 In-person Doors Open sites

Butler’s Barracks National Historic SiteDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site

The Men’s Barracks is one of the few surviving structures at Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site, a historical military complex in operation from 1812 to 1871 and again as a training ground from 1914 until the 1960s. On completion of repairs and refurbishment in 2018, the barracks now operate as the Parks Canada Field Unit office for Southwestern Ontario.

  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access

Contact info

440 King Street (blue building)
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: niagaraont@pc.gc.ca
https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/fortgeorge/culture/butler

Architecture

Year built: 1814-54
Building type: Historical landmark Military

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Clare's Harley-Davidson of NiagaraDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Clare's Harley-Davidson of Niagara

Throughout this store are architectural touches with reclaimed and re-purposed materials – including reclaimed brick, doors and woodwork, as well as a vintage window in the sales office and a countertop in the ladies’ washroom. Also, the art deco interior and fittings from Diana Sweets — a restaurant that operated for 75 years in St. Catharines — has now been fully restored inside!

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

590 York Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: lisa@clarescycle.com
https://www.claresharleydavidson.com

Architecture

Year built: 2008
Building type: Commercial Historical landmark

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Exchange Brewery, TheDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Exchange Brewery, The

Constructed in 1880, this building was Niagara's first telephone exchange. In 2015, it was transformed into a brewery, but retains some of its original features. Original hemlock floor joists became the second-floor bar and tabletops. Some nods to the building's use as a telephone exchange include brewing numbers (instead of names) and a tasting board shaped like a rotary dial.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • 2023 theme: Food
  • French services available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Videos

Contact info

7 Queen Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: info@exchangebrewery.com
https://exchangebrewery.com

Architecture

Year built: 1880; adapted in 2015
Building type: Commercial Food and drink
Architect: Williamson Chong

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Grace United ChurchDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Grace United Church

Come and explore Grace United as it celebrates its 200th anniversary this year! This building was designed by William Thomas — the same architect who designed Toronto’s St. Michael’s Cathedral, Hamilton’s St. Paul’s Presbyterian and Brock’s Monument in Queenston. The magnificent stained-glass windows memorialize early church members and wartime casualties, and the interior reflects the classic Methodist form of practical design.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Videos

Contact info

222 Victoria Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: mail@graceunitedchurch.com
http://www.graceunitedchurch.com

Architecture

Year built: 1852
Building type: Place of worship
Architect: William Thomas

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Niagara ApothecaryDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara Apothecary

Step through these doors and see how pharmacists practised their profession over 100 years ago. The apothecary opened in the late 1860s at this location and closed in 1964. The Ontario Heritage Trust acquired the property, led its restoration and opened it as a museum in 1971. Operated by volunteers from the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Photography allowed
  • Virtual tours
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

5 Queen Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/properties/niagara-apothecary

Architecture

Year built: 1818
Building type: Historical landmark Museum
Architect: Peter Stokes (restoration architect)

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Niagara District Court HouseDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara District Court House

Constructed c. 1847, this courthouse served as the official county seat of Niagara District until the judicial courts were moved to St. Catharines in 1862. Its large courtroom interior was home to the Shaw Festival’s Court House Theatre until 1973. Today, Parks Canada and the Chamber of Commerce have offices here. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1981.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Videos

Contact info

26 Queen Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: kevin.turcotte@notl.com
https://www.notl.com/recreation-events/facilities/court-house

Architecture

Year built: 1847
Building type: Courthouse Historical landmark Theatre
Architect: William Thomas

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Niagara Lodge No. 2Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara Lodge No. 2

The Niagara Lodge No. 2 is the oldest Masonic lodge in Ontario. It is also the site of the first legislature of Upper Canada and the site of the first hospital in Newark, founded by Col. John Butler. During Doors Open, come and explore the museum of Masonic artifacts not regularly available to the general public.

  • Guided tours available
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

153 King Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: pkent@kentandcompany.ca
http://niagara2.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1792
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Niagara Pumphouse Arts CentreDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre

Located on the banks of the Niagara River in a heritage building that formerly supplied water to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre connects the community through visual arts programs, exhibitions and events. The Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre Association was formed in 1990, and the building was restored and converted to this visual arts centre in 1994.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Videos
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

247 Ricardo Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: office@niagarapumphouse.ca
https://niagarapumphouse.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1891
Building type: Historical landmark Gallery
Architect: John Gait and J.H. Armstrong

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Niagara-on-the-Lake MuseumDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

The Niagara Historical Society, founded in 1895, opened the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum in 1907. The museum collects, preserves, researches, educates and promotes the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake and its communities — inspiring an appreciation of local history through engaging programs and exhibitions. In October, the exhibition will be "Bound and Determined." During Doors Open, they’ll be offering special tours throughout the day.

  • Digital Doors Open
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Washrooms
  • Videos
  • Collections and resources
  • Kid-friendly

Contact info

43 Castlereagh Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: contact@nhsm.ca
https://www.notlmuseum.ca

Architecture

Year built: High school building (built 1806), Memorial Hall (built 1906) and Link Building (built 1971)
Building type: Attraction Historical landmark Museum
Architect: W.B. Allan

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

Ravine Vineyard Estate WineryDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery

The Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery is a timeless Niagara destination for award-winning wines and world-class farm-to-table cuisine. It is steeped in history, family legacy and agricultural heritage. Situated in the heart of St. Davids, this charming and historical property offers a unique escape from the everyday hustle and bustle while being conveniently located only minutes from the Queen Elizabeth Way.

  • 2023 theme: Food
  • Food vendors
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

1366 York Road
St. Davids, Ontario
Email: info@ravinevineyard.com
https://www.ravinevineyard.com

Architecture

Year built: 1867
Building type: Attraction Commercial Food and drink

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

RiverBrink Art MuseumDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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RiverBrink Art Museum

The RiverBrink Art Museum is a fine-art museum featuring changing exhibitions from the renowned art collection of Samuel E. Weir, as well as outstanding works on loan from contemporary artists and Canadian and international collections. Current exhibitions will feature Indigenous beadwork by Samuel Thomas and oil portraits by Mark Crofton Bell. There is also a library and gift shop onsite.

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

Contact info

116 Queenston Street
Queenston, Ontario
Email: manager@riverbrink.org
https://www.riverbrink.org

Architecture

Year built: 1970
Building type: Museum Gallery
Architect: Arthur E. Nutter

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21

St. Andrew's Presbyterian ChurchDoors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

The original 1794 church was burned by the American army during the War of 1812. A new church was later erected, but was also destroyed by a cyclone. In 1855, the current building was constructed. While major restorations have occurred over the years, the interior and exterior of this architectural gem appear much the same as the 1831 building.

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

Contact info

323 Simcoe Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Email: standrewsnotl@gmail.com
https://standrewsniagara.com

Architecture

Year built: 1855
Building type: Cemetery Historical landmark Place of worship
Architect: Kivas Tully

Dates/hours open

Oct 21 - Oct 21