There are many ways to help educate a community about its history, but there is no better way than to encourage people to get out and experience it firsthand. When in-person walking tours were not possible, the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) created an initiative called Memory Lane. Memory Lane offers an in-depth self-guided tour with scannable QR codes. All you have to do to get started is to search out the QR codes across the BIA and scan them to reveal the history of that property, complete with vintage photos provided by Hamilton Public Libraries’ Local History and Archives department. Alternatively, you can navigate Memory Lane online and explore the past from the comfort of your home.

Dundurn Castle is one of the finest examples of high regency-style architecture in the country. Constructed in the 1830s for Sir Allan Napier MacNab (railway magnate, lawyer and politician), the buildings deteriorated under subsequent owners, but were restored in the 1960s to their original splendour. Today, Dundurn Castle tells the story of the MacNabs and the people who served them.

Overlooking the village of Portland and Big Rideau Lake is the Emmanuel Heritage Centre (1861), a former Anglican church. Its beauty lies in its simplicity — constructed in the Gothic revival style with sandstone quarried onsite, featuring unusual stone buttresses. Owned by the Portland on the Rideau Historical Society, the impressive interior hosts Portland historical memorabilia, musical events and seasonal markets.

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.

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.

Glanmore is one of Belleville’s historical gems. Now a community museum, Glanmore was built for banker J.P.C. Phillips and his wife, Harriet Dougall Phillips. The grand house features beautifully restored interiors, period-room displays, European fine art and decorative objects. Artifacts related to local history are also included as part of the restored rooms in this historical house.

Ann Gillespie, from the Architectural Conservancy Ontario Hamilton Region Branch, has developed a self-guided walking tour of buildings in Hamilton’s downtown core that feature glazed architectural terracotta cladding and ornamentation, all dating between 1905 and 1925. This walking tour is available in a printable PDF format. It includes a map with a suggested route but participants can choose their own route, guided by buildings or sites (demolished buildings) numbered from 1 to 8. (Cornice of the Landed Banking and Loan building. Photo: Carol Priamo)

Grace United Church 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. In 2023, the Grace United congregation celebrated its 200th anniversary.

This church is distinguished by a tall front façade, distinctive steeple, polychromatic brickwork, three double-door entrances and lancet windows. The sanctuary has wonderful woodwork, a gallery with an intricate wrought-iron railing, and over 40 stained-glass windows. The Casavant pipe organ, installed in 1924, was given by the Duggan family in memory of those who served in the First World War.

Brampton is home to many forested trails and destinations. As part of your Doors Open experience, go for a hike or a drive by following this self-guided tour to see the extraordinary beauty of Canada’s autumnal landscapes. Witness the leaves change up close by visiting one of Brampton’s recreational trails and destinations — including the Etobicoke Creek Recreational Trail, Chinguacousy Recreational Trail, White Spruce Park, Eldorado Park and Heart Lake Conservation Area. These pedestrian and cycling trails are a tranquil and scenic feature of this city. While outside, bring along the Nature Rubbings Activity and discover all the treasures that nature has to offer.

Griffin House is a modest one-and-a-half-storey wood-frame residence that was built in the Georgian style with clapboard siding and six-over-six sash windows. Constructed by Englishmen in 1827, it was purchased by Enerals Griffin and his wife Priscilla in 1834 – both born as slaves in Virginia, but who escaped to Canada. On this site, with their 20 hectares (50 acres) of land, the Griffin family lived as part of the Ancaster community for 150 years. Today, Griffin House stands as a testament to the determination of African-American men and women who escaped slavery and found peace in Ontario. For Digital Doors Open, watch the video below to learn more about this fascinating property.

The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology is the site of the original 1859 Hamilton Waterworks. The museum features two 13.7-metre high (45 feet), 70-ton steam-powered pumping engines that supplied the city with clean drinking water from 1859 to 1910. Made in Dundas, these engines are the oldest surviving examples of their kind in North America today.

The Heart Lake North neighbourhood provides great outdoor activities in nature for all to enjoy and experience. This neighbourhood features the Etobicoke Creek Trail – a space to enjoy outdoor recreation and the sounds of nature. Heart Lake North is home to the Heart Lake Conservation Area with 170 hectares (418 acres) of parkland to be explored. Here, you’ll find biking and walking trails, and a lake with a designated swimming area, boat rentals and fishing. The neighbourhood also hosts planned annual tree plantings with local elementary students. Additionally, Heart Lake North includes two recreation centres, a library and is accessed by seven different transit routes. Discover more about the neighbourhood of Heart Lake North in Brampton and the natural amenities that it has to offer such as Loafers Lake and Heart Lake Conservation Park. To begin, enjoy the trail at Loafers Lake – featuring outdoor fitness equipment, ball diamonds, soccer fields and a playground. This beautiful trail boasts spectacular cherry blossoms in the spring, stunning fall colours during the autumn and sledding in the winter. Then, at the Heart Lake Conservation Park, enjoy outdoor fun with the beauty of nature as your backdrop. From fishing in the lake or frolicking at the new pool and splash pad, to speeding above the water on one of their twin zip lines, Heart Lake offers all the best in outdoor entertainment. During Digital Doors Open, enjoy a virtual tour of this spectacular area through the video below.

Historic Bovaird House is an exceptional example of a mid-19th-century Ontario farmhouse. Volunteers have restored the house to its original appearance. Authentic artifacts and period craftsmanship demonstrate the history of this house — which contains five fireplaces, original plank flooring, hand-blown imported windowpanes and beautiful heritage-inspired gardens. Check out the photo display of the farm kitchen and parlour.

One of Brampton's best-kept secrets is its picturesque lakes and rivers. Behind the thousands of homes and busy roads, visitors and residents alike will find a wonderful oasis of peaceful lakes and flowing rivers in the Brampton area. Brampton is home to both natural and man-made lakes, including Professor’s Lake, Heart Lake Conservation Area, Loafer’s Lake, Esker Lakes and Norton Place Park. Brampton’s rivers were also used thousands of years ago as transportation routes. Since then, they have been sources of power to drive mills and sources of water for farms. Today, they are a tremendous asset to both the natural landscape and wildlife of Brampton. As part of Digital Doors Open, you are invited to relax and enjoy Brampton’s beauty. Discover their many lakes and rivers by taking this self-guided tour. And, while you’re outside, bring along the Nature Rubbings Activity and discover all the treasures that nature has to offer.

Welcome to the Lester B. Pearson Memorial Theatre, a creative hub for local performing arts groups, schools, education programs, dance recitals and professional presentations. The facility includes a 400-seat auditorium and adjacent studio space. Located in the Brampton Civic Centre, the theatre, affectionately known as LBP, has been home to community organizations and productions since 1973. The venue reopened in October 2019 with enhanced accessibility and health and safety features, upgraded technical equipment, and a more attractive, welcoming space. Take a virtual tour through the video below and learn more about this popular theatre venue.

The McMaster Museum of Art has developed a self-guided walking tour that highlights architecture on the campus, with information about the history, evolution and styles of architecture along the way. Access the tour here, with photographs sourced from McMaster’s digital archives. You can follow the text descriptions or use headphones and be guided by recorded audio.

The Mount Pleasant Community Centre is in a restored historical Canadian Pacific Railway station that has been converted into a cultural facility in the Mount Pleasant Village Square. Shared with the Peel District School Board and the local library, this landmark building is now an integral part of the community, connecting the past with the future. Located in Mount Pleasant Village Square are one-of-a-kind sculptures created for the City of Brampton by renowned artist Ron Baird. As part of Digital Doors Open, join Baird as he speaks up close and personal about The Ghost Train (see the video below) as well as three unique metal structures: Time, Tracks and Trestle Bridge.

Seaforth Town Hall, constructed in 1893-94, originally housed the fire hall on the main floor, town offices on the second floor, and an auditorium on the third. At one time, the third floor had an indoor tennis court! Browse through the miniature Seaforth Museum on the second floor, which features artifacts from the Huron County Museum and Sills Family collection.

This community museum represents the history of South Simcoe County. Exhibits highlight famous local Canadians, notable industries and unique area artifacts. The site features an agricultural fair building, a log house and a barn. During Doors Open, children can enjoy a scavenger hunt and other hands-on activities. Come for a tour, explore the site and check out the gift shop.

In 1765, British naval craftsmen from Fort Niagara erected a barracks on the opposite side of the Niagara River. Over the years, several buildings – known collectively as Navy Hall – evolved into a key military supply facility for British forts on the upper Great Lakes. During the American Revolution, the Provincial Marine wintered at Navy Hall and, in 1792, Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe converted one of the buildings into his residence. The Lieutenant Governor's home in the first capital of the Province of Upper Canada later served as a dining hall for the officers at Fort George. Navy Hall was destroyed by American forces during the War of 1812. After the war, the British rebuilt some of the buildings, of which one still survives today. As part of Digital Doors Open, you can learn more about this site’s remarkable history through the video below.

Discover one of only four blockhouses built on the Rideau Canal. This building features thick walls designed to withstand small cannon fire and a tin sheathed roof to defy torching. Situated on a knoll to observe the lock and channel, the blockhouse can hold a 20-man garrison and house the lockmaster. Come and enjoy this rare opportunity to peek inside! (Photo: Rosanne Lake)

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.

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 once home to the Shaw Festival’s Court House Theatre. Today, Parks Canada and the Chamber of Commerce have offices here. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1981.

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.