Levi Carroll, born in Maryland, self-emancipated in 1843 and came to Canada via the Underground Railroad. Settling in Berlin (now Kitchener), he lived in Waterloo’s former log schoolhouse when it was located by Kitchener Collegiate Institute. This landmark now resides in Waterloo Park and is Ontario's oldest remaining log schoolhouse, standing as a tribute to education and Black resilience.

See how this former Canada Post depot has been repurposed into an arts and culture hub. 44 Gaukel is an innovative, shared creative workplace spanning 929 square metres (10,000 square feet) and located at the core of downtown Kitchener. It offers affordable rentals for local artists and organizations and is operated by ArtsBuild Ontario and the City of Kitchener.

Go behind the scenes and discover the magic of live theatre. Take a guided tour to see this new, state-of-the-art facility — a cultural incubator for creative thinkers of all ages. Join in the fun and attend a free theatre games workshop. You'll also visit their production centre, which includes a scene shop, paint shop, props and wardrobe.

Tour behind the scenes and meet the staff of one of the longest-running veterinary clinics in Waterloo Region. Independently owned and operated since 1961, Eldale Veterinary Clinic cares for both large and small animals. Major renovations in 2021 (including the addition of dog rehabilitation and daycare facilities) were made to meet the evolving needs of one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities.

Join the 60th anniversary celebration! A certified forest and nature school licensed by the Ministry of Education, the Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre has been providing quality early-learning and child care at this location since 1964. Come at 11:30 a.m. to hear remarks from local dignitaries. Tours showcasing classrooms and outdoor play spaces will be provided throughout the day.

This museum opened in the former Hespeler Post Office in 2015. During Doors Open, enjoy two exhibitions: 300 Years of Fashion (which follows the changing silhouette in 40 examples of fashion from the past 300 years) and Only Fans (which features the history of the folding fan, with examples from the collection dating from the 17th century to the 1930s).

Built in 1898, this was the community’s primary fire station until it closed in 1979. The ground floor is the museum’s main gallery, featuring vintage fire equipment and displays. The second floor was the firefighters’ living quarters and now serves as the fire safety education centre. Please note there are no elevators or accessible washrooms at this site.

Explore the Food Bank of Waterloo Region's 2,880-square-metre (31,000-square-foot) distribution centre, where staff and volunteers handle over 3 million kg (6.8 million pounds) of fresh, frozen and non-perishable food annually before sending it off to the Community Food Assistance Network to help feed people in Waterloo Region. This food bank was the first of its kind in Ontario.

The former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church was renovated, adapted and expanded in 2023 to create 43 much-needed supportive affordable homes, specifically for people who have experienced homelessness or precarious housing. Explore the common areas, including the former sanctuary, and chat with staff from Indwell, who are celebrating 50 years of "Hope and Homes for All" through innovation, imagination and compassion.

During Doors Open Waterloo Region, visit the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum — the largest community museum in Ontario! Explore local history and learn about the region's commitment to managing and reducing waste. Enjoy presentations from the Region of Waterloo's Waste Management department and enter a draw to win a green bin prize pack! Pre-registration is recommended.

Take the rare opportunity to see inside this landmark pumping station. The pump room and pump house office have changed little in 100 years — with original ceilings, trim, walls and other fixtures and artifacts. One pump still draws water. Decommissioned pumps are in place and carefully preserved. Additional facilities have increased station capacity to 40.3 million litres daily.

Owners Adam and Hannie began making cheese 43 years ago in Holland. They moved to this dairy farm in 1996 and Mountainoak Cheese was launched in 2012. Following a traditional Dutch recipe, fresh Mountainoak milk is made into high-quality, all-natural, award-winning Mountainoak gouda with wholesome ingredients. During Doors Open, follow the process and learn how this cheese is made.

Founded by four University of Waterloo graduates, OTTO Motors is a leading provider of autonomous mobile robots. These self-driving vehicles automate material movement inside busy factories and warehouses to create safer, more productive and more fulfilling workplaces for manufacturers worldwide. See where and how robots are tested, watch live demos and talk with the team. Access by guided tour only.

Perimeter sparks big ideas and collaborations. The world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics, Perimeter fosters interdisciplinary research into the workings of the universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Explore its award-winning design, from quiet nooks to ubiquitous blackboards. Learn about their work and research areas as they celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Located in the lower level of the Township of Woolwich's Breslau Community Centre, this former satellite branch is being converted into a full-service library (renovations will be complete in time for Doors Open). The building’s luxury-home feel comes after it was a sales centre for the Empire Communities' Riverland subdivision, who sold it to the township in 2012 for $2.

Located on the main floor of a former schoolhouse, this library comprises two rooms (the adult and children departments), which were once classrooms. The library shares the building with the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society and Theatre Wellesley (also part of Doors Open). Adaptive reuse-themed Take-and-Make kits for kids will also be available (supplies limited, so visit early).

Discover the stunning transformation of the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building at Wilfrid Laurier University. Come and explore the 2,226-square-metre (23,958-square-foot) renovation and addition, creating a prominent campus gateway. Visit the new classrooms, performance venues and practise rooms with the Faculty of Music. Learn about their community programming and the Making Space for Music initiative, showcasing musical excellence at Laurier.

You’ve passed it many times, maybe seen it on television or YouTube. But have you been inside? St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, at the corner of Queen Street North and Weber Street East, was rebuilt in 1907. This year, the congregation celebrates 170 years. In the past, Prime Minister Mackenzie King attended St. Andrew’s. Come and learn more about this iconic church.

Peek behind the curtain of the Studio Theatre for this community group has performed a variety of plays since 1997 as part of their mission to have fun while providing an exciting and entertaining community theatre experience. While you’re in the historical schoolhouse building, visit the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society and the Region of Waterloo Library’s Wellesley Branch.

The Waterloo Coin Society was founded in 1959 to encourage and promote the collection and study of coins, tokens, paper money, medals, badges, trade money and other currency-related collectibles. Chat with knowledgeable members and browse the collections, which include souvenir treasury notes and medals featuring iconic Waterloo Region landmarks. (Note: Located in the Perimeter Institute during Doors Open.)

Explore Waterloo Region’s oldest buildings — the 1852-53 Gaol (jail) and the 1878 Governor’s House — and learn how community action saved them from demolition. By combining designation with adaptive reuse, the granite Gaol houses Provincial Offences courtrooms. And the Governor’s House (jail warden’s home) contains legal offices. Questions? The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) North Waterloo Branch will be on-hand.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to receive a guided tour of the Waterloo ION Maintenance Facility — including the Control Centre, Maintenance Shop and Rail Yard. See for yourself how the Grand River Transit keeps its fleet of vehicles in top condition, learn about maintenance schedules and techniques and ask questions about the operation of Waterloo Region’s transit system.

Art and history collide at Waterloo Park’s 1860 Jacob Eby Farmhouse where the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop has operated since 1967. This non-profit co-operative — with its well-equipped pottery studio — offers classes to the public and organizes pottery sales and charity events. A site tour includes the kitchen, wheel room, glaze room and basement electric kiln room — as well as demonstrations.

Explore the Historical Room located upstairs in the old schoolhouse in Wellesley. Home to the historical society since 1979, this great space includes a collection of approximately 1,000 artifacts and documents, 2,000 photographs and 200 books. While you’re visiting the building, be sure to visit Theatre Wellesley and the Region of Waterloo Library’s Wellesley Branch as well.

Built in 1879, Wesley United Church is situated in Galt’s historical civic square, adjacent to Cambridge Farmer’s Market and historical city hall. Explore the sanctuary, chapel and hall featuring the Apple Café (where apple dumplings and coffee are sold). Proceeds from this café fund local charities as well as the regular maintenance and upkeep of the church’s beautiful pipe organ.