This church is notable for its exquisite local stained glass dating from the early 20th century to the 1980s. Their windows illustrate some of Ottawa’s early stained-glass works, with a strong influence by Tiffany. The building also tells the story of a creative and tenacious congregation that has had a spiritual home in what’s now Old Ottawa East since 1877.

The Rideau Township Archives began as North Gower’s town hall in 1876 until new township offices opened in 1967. It is interesting for its history and its architecture – featuring an unusual cupola. After being restored, it was among the first of the township’s buildings to be designated. The current exhibit features this initial revitalization in the 1980s.

In 1975, CKCU became the first campus-based community radio station in Canada. It continues to be a pioneer in community broadcasting, serving as a voice for many Ottawa identities and communities not served by the mainstream media. Offering over 100 programs in over 10 languages, CKCU is committed to diversity. Come witness live radio in the making!

In 1960, NATO and the Canadian Department of National Defense built a satellite communications facility here that provided communications between all NATO countries until 1999 when the site was decommissioned. In 1999, it was purchased by Canadian Space Services Ltd. to serve as its corporate headquarters. Today, interior space is rented to local businesses for meetings, workshops and parties.

The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum provides visitors with an immersive, seasonal experience that showcases rural life in the 1920s and 1930s in Eastern Ontario. Tour an operational sawmill and blacksmith shop, an old train station and caboose, a one-room schoolhouse, a print shop, a 1927 Imperial Gas garage, a 1904 church and several family homes and barns.

This award-winning building serves a representational role for the Ismaili Imamat in Canada, offering a centre for building relationships, enabling quiet diplomacy, and disseminating knowledge and information, while reflecting the humanistic/humanitarian agenda of the Aga Khan Development Network and its associated institutions. Inside, the play of light on transparent and translucent surfaces creates a dynamic visual effect.

Nestled in the heart of Manotick Village, Dickinson Square shares a remarkable past rooted in Canadian history and industrial ingenuity. Run by Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc., Dickinson Square comprises two sites: Watson’s Mill and the Dickinson House Museum. This heritage home explores the lives of the past mill owners. After touring this historical museum, check out the adjacent mill.

The Diefenbunker is Canada’s most significant surviving Cold War artifact. It is an impressive four-storey underground facility that operated as the country’s central communications headquarters during the Cold War, ready at any moment in case of a nuclear attack. Now a museum, the Diefenbunker offers a one-of-a-kind experiential learning environment, coupled with award-winning programs, events and exhibitions. Registration required.

The Dominion Observatory Campus consists of several scientific buildings used for astronomy, seismology, gravity and geo-magnetism. In 1904, the first building was constructed to house the retractable telescope. In 1905, a transit house was added to the western wing for the meridian circle telescope and transit instruments that were used to determine time, longitude and star positions.

This church, designed by architect Konstantinos Zourdoumis and constructed in 1975, is a fine example of the neo-Byzantine style with its classic domed structure. Highlights include hand-painted Byzantine icons on the domed ceiling and walls, a hand-carved wooden iconostasis wall in front of the altar, and beautiful mosaic tiles.

In 1866, Mother Marie of the Order of Our Lady of Charity came to Ottawa to conduct mission work in a building on this site. By 1877, a spacious new monastery building was constructed, which was further expanded in 1895. Following a devastating 1938 fire, the monastery was rebuilt. In 1972, the Chinese government purchased it as Chinese Embassy’s chancery.

Since the late 1940s, this building has housed three embassies — the Uruguayan Embassy, the Embassy of the Hungarian People’s Republic, and the current one. In 1995, the mansion was purchased and donated to the Republic of Armenia by a prominent Armenian-American businessman and philanthropist. Each year, they welcome hundreds of visitors interested in architecture and Armenian history.

Known as Toller House, this building was designed by Henry Horsey and J. Sheard in the domestic Gothic revival style. Many dignitaries lived here, including Frederic Toller, Auditor General of the Dominion’s Currency in the 1880s. In 1999, it opened as the Embassy of Croatia following an award-winning restoration. Guided tours will be offered for the ground level only.

Enriched Bread Artists is a not-for-profit collective of visual artists working in a range of media and techniques. It was formed in 1992 by graduates of the University of Ottawa looking for studio space and an artistic community beyond university. Today, its membership is global. The name refers to the former bread factory where these studios are located.

Fairfields Heritage House is an impressive 19th-century farmhouse with recreated rooms that tell the story of the many generations of the Bell family who made their mark on the home, the property and their community. The collection of 3,000 artifacts reflects the family’s shifting priorities. The property still features beautiful green lawns, gardens, a gazebo and statuesque trees.

The Gladstone Theatre has been a theatre for nearly 50 years. Initially a garage, it was turned into a 230-seat theatre in 1983 by the Great Canadian Theatre Company, with further renovations in 2007. By 2016, it was regularly hosting 12 stylistically diverse theatre companies, with more than 27,000 tickets being sold per year. Come and explore this unique site!

Located in Stittsville, the Goulbourn Museum preserves and interprets materials from the Goulbourn Township area. Built in 1872, the building was once the old town hall for the former township. This popular community hub was home to council meetings, parties and dances. The adjacent office building is used as administrative offices, as well as the museum’s primary collections storage.

Originally built as the Ottawa Normal School, this site is now Ottawa City Hall. Built in the Gothic Renaissance style, it reflects the influence of the Parliament Buildings — with Italianate windows and Romanesque columns. Purchased by the municipality in 1987, the restored building opened as city hall in 2001, housing the offices of the Mayor, City Manager and City Clerk.

The design, architecture and interior shrines of this temple follow traditional Hindu architectural styles. Deities in these shrines are made of granite, marble and bronze. The large prayer hall hosts ceremonies throughout the year. The temple also houses a reference library on Hindu religion and philosophy. When visiting, everyone is required to remove their footwear.

Holy Theotokos is a Greek Orthodox convent that not only follows the traditional order but also manufactures pure beeswax candles. During Doors Open, visitors can tour the chapel and the candle shop to see how this property has changed and adapted over time. Don’t forget to stop by for lunch at the Greek souvlaki and pastry tent.

The Ingenium Centre houses Canada’s science and technology collection, with more than two million archival, trade literature and library materials, and more than 150,000 artifacts. The Centre provides a controlled environment to protect the artifacts for the benefit of generations to come. It is designed to properly house artifacts made of materials such as plastic, wood, paper, textiles and ivory.

The Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site was home to a remarkable late-16th-century ancestral Wendat community. Of all the sites in Southern Ontario that have been almost completely excavated, it is considered to be one of the largest and most complex. During Doors Open, explore and learn about this amazing archaeological site with self-guided tours and a staffed interpretation table.

Kadampa Meditation Centre of Ottawa (formerly Joyful Land Buddhist Centre) is the focal point for the Ottawa community of the modern tradition of Mahayana Buddhism called the New Kadampa Tradition. Housed in a classical Victorian red-brick building in Chinatown, it features a beautiful shrine with Buddha statues. Chat with members of the Buddhist community and learn about their many programs.

Knox Presbyterian Church is known for its high-quality building materials, beautiful interiors and gorgeous stained glass. The interior features Italian marble, British Columbia cedar and redwood, and British lantern lights in the sanctuary. Two stained-glass windows are illuminated from the east and west, highlighting the life of Jesus and the Book of Revelation. Nepean fieldstone was used for the exterior.

Laurier House commemorates two of Canada’s most notable prime ministers — Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King. For over 50 years, from 1897 to 1948, the house occupied a central position in Canada’s political life as the residence of Laurier and, after his death, of Mackenzie King.