Explore the world of true crime at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library! Join authors Judy Penz Sheluk and Amanda Capper to learn about researching real-life cases and transforming historical documents into gripping narratives. Sign up for a guided tour of the library, and along the way, learn about historical criminal cases and the collections that the library holds.

The North Branch of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library opened in 2019 — including a new storage space for the library’s archives (with some records that date back to 1822). During Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie, the Archive Technician will facilitate a tour of the spaces as well as show items from the archives. Come and enjoy this rare opportunity!

Scadding Cabin, Toronto's oldest surviving building, was built for John Scadding, John Graves Simcoe’s assistant. This one-room house was acquired by the York Pioneers in 1879 and rebuilt on its present site in time for the inauguration of the Toronto Industrial Exhibition (now the Canadian National Exhibition). This is recognized as the earliest act of architectural preservation in Toronto.

Archival records and photographs are on display at the Scarborough Archives. The archives contain documents, photographs, maps, cemetery records and a collection of local community histories. Located inside the former W.J. Morrish General Store, it is also the home of the Scarborough Historical Society, which helps to promote, preserve and stimulate an interest in the history of Scarborough.

Nestled in Thomson Park are four heritage buildings that comprise the Scarborough Museum. Hear stories, old and new, that have shaped the ever-changing community of Scarborough. Explore the McCowan Log House, Cornell House and the Hough Carriage Works. Learn how Scarborough developed from land farmed by Indigenous peoples and European settlers into a major suburb of North America's fourth-largest city.

The Scott Library, the main library for York's Keele Campus, is a five-storey brutalist structure that houses the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, Media Creation Lab, Learning Commons, Adaptive Lab, Sound and Moving Image Library, Map Library, thousands of books, many works of visual art and more. Explore all five floors and learn more about the art/artists you discover.

Visit this unique museum to view collections that show how scouting contributed to Canada’s heritage while helping to develop youth into valued citizens. See displays of photos, uniforms, badges, scrapbooks, diaries and other memorabilia. The museum also houses their own amateur radio station (VE3SHQ), which allows youth to participate in the largest on-air and on-the-internet scout gatherings in the world.

The Second Chance Ranch is a beautiful farm that is committed to the rehabilitation of animals of all breeds — addressing behaviours and training challenges — to improve the quality of their lives, with the ultimate goal being their forever home or re-homing. Come and experience the positive and friendly environment and visit with the animals!

The Second City is the largest improvisational comedy theatre and training centre in Canada. Its list of famous alumni includes John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Andrea Martin and many others. In June, they celebrate 50 Years of Funny. During your self-guided tour, knowledgeable volunteers and staff will be available to answer questions. Bring your camera! (No tripods allowed.)

The Friends of Second Marsh is a charitable organization dedicated to connecting people with nature through interpretation, education and stewardship services. This site features approximately 7 kilometers (4 miles) of hiking trails. The McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve offers self-guided tours of its naturalized areas and trail system. Leashed dogs only allowed on the Waterfront Trail and in Darlington Provincial Park.

Come and see the wonderful world of Downtown Hamilton's street art! Some sculpted, some painted. Some permitted, some not. Follow the Downtown Hamilton BIA's self-guided tour using the interactive map to see where some of Hamilton's finest artists have turned concrete into canvas and hear from local street artists about their stories and how their murals came to be.

Doors Open will offer visitors the opportunity to visit a typical Masonic Lodge (normally not open to the public) and learn about the history and ideals of Freemasonry — the world's oldest fraternity. The original charter for Seven Star Lodge was granted in 1872 and is on display along with other historical artifacts. Meetings have been held here since 1917.

With over 120 hectares (300 acres), this property includes a beautiful lake, natural forest, walking trails and buildings over 100 years old. During Doors Open, visitors will enjoy walking tours, slideshows and displays depicting the site’s history. Bring your children to enjoy field games and campfire activities.

This 1885-86 building in the heart of Dundas has been a foundry, indoor skating/curling rink, bus depot, warehouse and, since 2016, this brewery. The wood post-and-beam/brick masonry structure has been preserved yet modernized with the latest in craft beer equipment. The brewery focuses on German-style lagers with an emphasis on quality and authenticity.

Slinky Swellness Centre is a mobile, multi-sensory home-studio located in a house built in 1921. Since 2018, the space has been inspired by "Snoezelen" rooms, therapeutic play and one-of-a-kind woven slinkies. Facilitating inclusive programs, gatherings and the birthplace of "CathARTistry" — exploring expression as a tool for growth and catharsis — let’s pLaY!

Housed within an adaptively reused former music venue, the studio retains traces of its past life through its open plan, exposed structure, and layered materials. Now home to a residential design practice, the space supports the creation of modern, site-specific homes through a collaborative process, where sketches, models and materials remain in constant dialogue.

The exterior of the Southminster United Church is Nepean sandstone, the same stone used for the Parliament Buildings. The entrance ends at a pointed arch gate that leads into the church porch, which opens into the narthex. Beyond is the nave, which consists of five bays on each side, a central aisle and smaller aisles on each side.

Come and tour Spadina House and discover the home of the Austin family from 1866-1982. Period rooms contain furniture and decorative details from the 1920s and 1930s. Co-owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and the City of Toronto, this site includes three floors, an orchard and the newly created Aki Wiidookaagewin "Ontario Earth Helpers" Indigenous kitchen garden. (No tripods allowed.)

This site is a unique, non-denominational place of worship. Sathya Sai Baba’s life message is to "love all, serve all" and "help ever, hurt never," strongly promoting the unity of faiths as depicted through symbols and messages on the centre’s pillar. During your Doors Open visit, explore the stupa at the entrance, the main prayer hall, library and classrooms.

This site includes a temple that was constructed in the Chola temple architectural style of South India, with 12 sanctums housing different idols of Hindu gods. There is also a heritage museum consisting of 25 specially made marble murals carved in India that describe the teachings of the Hindu monk Shankaracharya who revived Hinduism about 1,000 years ago.

St. George's Hall is a Toronto landmark. Built in 1891 by the St. George's Society, the building has been home to the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto since 1920, a private club formed in 1908, a social club centred on the arts. Founding members include Group of Seven painters, Robertson Davies, Vincent Massey, Marshall McLuhan, Mavor Moore and others.

St. Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church is a lovely neo-Gothic wood-framed church surrounded by parkland and lagoons on Toronto Island. It holds services year-round on Sunday mornings. The building has beautiful acoustics and some stunning stained-glass windows. St. Andrew's is the last remaining church on Toronto Island and will celebrate its 142nd anniversary this year.

Having outgrown an earlier church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian was constructed in 1872 with wood provided by Ottawa lumber baron, J.R. Booth. Of note are the splendid stained-glass windows and the high vaulted ceilings. The raised pulpit is uniquely placed along the west wall. This placement follows the Scottish Presbyterian tradition that sees the ministers as teachers, with children around them.

Founded in 1826, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is celebrating 200 years of serving the community of Ancaster. Church services are held Sundays at 10:30 am. The accessible entrance is ready to welcome all guests. We share our space with Ancaster Village Church who hold services at 5:00 pm on Sundays. In addition, the 300-monument church cemetery is well known to genealogists.

This church marks the place where Scarborough began. The first parcel of land, where their cemetery now stands, was severed from the farm of Scarborough's first European settlers, David and Mary Thompson. The congregation began in 1818, making it Scarborough’s oldest Christian congregation and Toronto’s oldest Presbyterian church. Visit the cemetery and sanctuary to learn about the church’s impact.