The Niagara Historical Society opened this museum in 1907. It collects, preserves, researches, educates and promotes the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake and area — inspiring a local history appreciation through engaging programs and exhibitions. During Doors Open, there will be pop-up curator-led tours of the exhibits and heritage baking samples. Visitors can also explore the latest exhibition, Curators: Our Eras Tour.

Located within close proximity to Bramalea City Centre, Bramalea Woods and Highway 410, the Norton Park neighbourhood represents one of Brampton’s most accessible neighbourhoods by various methods of transportation, including walking and cycling. The neighbourhood is also home to a hidden gem — Norton Place Park! This park features a boardwalk recreational trail along a small lake tucked behind the Lisa Towers (apartment buildings) and a community garden. Children can climb in the playground and enjoy nature. As part of Digital Doors Open, enjoy a virtual tour of this park in the video below.

This former home of sawmill owner Robert Teskey is now a popular venue for celebrations and getaway weekends, complete with a pool and hot tub. Teskey emigrated from County Cork in Ireland in 1823 at the age of 24 with his parents and siblings as part of the Peter Robinson settlers project to help populate British North America.

The Old Stone Mill is Ontario’s only surviving pre-1812, fully automated stone gristmill. Built of local stone and timber after inventor OIiver Evans’ design, it has been revitalized by the Delta Mill Society with authentic equipment and enhanced interpretation. Watch the 200-year-old millstones in action. During Doors Open, there will be blacksmithing demonstrations on Saturday and a special quilt display.

This museum has been an art, culture and heritage hub in downtown Orillia for over 25 years. They strive to provide an inclusive space to engage community, inspire creativity and celebrate culture through art and history. During Doors Open, view remnants of the building’s past as a post office and customs house. There’s even a jail cell in the basement!

Operating since 1973, the Osgoode Township Museum presents the story of Ottawa South’s agricultural and rural heritage. The main museum building is a mid-century two-room schoolhouse that holds the collection of nearly 11,000 artifacts. Explore the galleries, gift shop and research library during your visit. Then step outside and wander through the Agricultural Barn and discover their vast farming collection.

The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) is home to the art and artists of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, now housing a collection that numbers over 1,450 works — including paintings, sculpture, graphic arts, photographs and new media. In April 2018, OAG opened this modern purpose-built space. The gallery explores and reflects on diversity and social change through a spectrum of visual arts practices.

Built in 2011, the design of the Ottawa Humane Society celebrates its strong community values and commitment to the animals. The Shirley Kearns Memorial Adoption Centre was built to provide easy viewing and visiting of animals available for adoption. In the adoption centre, cats, dogs and small animals are housed in separate areas with rooms and enclosures designed to meet the animals’ daily needs. The education centre – a large, open, naturally lit room – hosts a variety of workshops and camps to teach pet owners about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. In a modern clinic facility, veterinarians provide regular and emergency medical treatment for animals in shelter care. The clinic includes a critical care unit for Ottawa’s neediest animals, an X-ray room and surgery theatre. Before animals are ready for adoption, they are housed in the holding area. Holding is set up with high-volume/high-changeover air handling systems and full sanitary and wash-down facilities to provide maximum sanitation and to prevent the spread of disease. Administration is adjacent to the adoption centre and holding area to allow ease of access for staff and volunteers to the animal areas. The interconnected design promotes a strong connection between staff of various departments, volunteers and the public. During Digital Doors Open, take a virtual tour of the site and learn more about the important work that they do.

The Ottawa Mission, established in 1906, has been at this location since 1912. It comprises a small network of buildings, including the 1861 grey stone building that was designated in 1991. The red-brick structure is the main shelter building where the dormitories are located. Modern extensions have been added over the years, including a hospice, health clinic and learning centre.

The Ottawa Wedding Chapel was built in 1907 and served most of its life as Castor Valley Baptist church. In 2012, it was restored and opened as a venue for weddings and other gatherings. Check out the stunning stained-glass windows, the beautiful woodwork throughout, and the incredible acoustics. They host 45-50 wedding ceremonies of all sizes here each year.

Public Services and Procurement Canada is delighted to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the work taking place at the Parliament Building (Centre Block) as part of this year’s Doors Open Ottawa. Centre Block is a familiar sight to many Canadians. And construction is well underway to restore and modernize it. Doors Open participants will discover Centre Block like never before!

Public Services and Procurement Canada invites you to visit Parliament Hill during Doors Open Ottawa. Although Centre Block is currently closed, visitors can meet subject matter experts on the Hill and get answers to all their questions. Visitors are free to roam to different stations to learn about the rehabilitation of the Centre Block.

Come and dive into the past at PAMA. Discover the history of the 1867 jail, and then explore topics of community, landscapes and more inside repurposed cell blocks now used as exhibition spaces. Handle unique artifacts and try historical activities. Take a tour of the facility. And then visit the Archives to uncover documents, photographs and resources highlighting local history.

Peel Village was the first-ever master-planned community to include residential, commercial and industrial uses all in the same neighbourhood, and the first master-planned community in what was then known as Flowertown. The presence of golfing greens, mature trees and the Charles F. Watson Gardens makes you feel like you are entering a residential area within a conservation park. The Nurturing Neighbourhoods Program aims to connect residents with resources, improve civic engagement and empower residents to play an active role in enhancing their neighbourhood. We want to have meaningful conversations in our neighbourhoods. As part of Digital Doors Open, residents can enjoy a virtual neighbourhood walking experience and share what they love about their neighbourhood and what can be changed using the online survey and mapping tools. Though the city is there to support, the strongest neighbourhoods are made by the people who actually live there.

Step back in time at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives, featuring an original 1875 general store. Discover the logging industry's role in the town's early days and explore Penetanguishene's cultural history. During Doors Open, the Genealogy & History Research Centre and Archives is open, offering a great chance to delve into their extensive collection to discover your family history!

Built in 1920 at the cost of $1 million, the iconic Piggott Building was Hamilton's first skyscraper. The structure employed a steel skeleton rather than load-bearing walls to achieve the height of 64 metres (210 feet) and 18 storeys. With a limestone veneer façade, its design is art deco/Gothic revival with historical features of pointed arch windows, decorative moldings and rib vaulting over the entrance. In the foyer and lobby are facing stained-glass windows set in medieval-style lancets that depict building technology and construction of the Piggott. In addition, there are decorative ceiling tiles and painted murals in the hall and marble on the floors, walls and surrounding the elevator doors. The tower prospered as an office building until the 1970s when it became vacant. After changing hands a number of times, it was slated for demolition. But heritage advocates called for its protection and preservation and the City of Hamilton designated it in 1984 under the Ontario Heritage Act. The stained-glass windows that had disappeared were found in an antique shop and retrieved by the Heritage Hamilton Foundation for $12,000. In the 1990s, the Piggott Building was converted into luxury condos. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below to learn more about the history of this site.

Step back in time at Elgin’s Red Brick School. Visit an authentic 1900 heritage classroom at this restored schoolhouse. Explore educational stories and artifacts while appreciating the yellow brick detailing, grand windows and bell tower. Marvel at exhibits showcasing the remastered historical photography of Clifford Pennock and the new “Historic Rideau Canal” display featuring photos from the first 100 years.

Join this unique tour of Belleville sites that have had new power systems installed and learn more about these renewable power sources – such as solar panels and new power systems. We start with the Meyers Pier and the Water Treatment Plant, which boast rooftop solar panels. Next is the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre, which has both an extensive solar rooftop array as well as power converters that send AC back to the grid. In addition, the Centre uses Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems – which produce both electricity and heat from a single fuel source onsite. In addition to reducing emissions, CHP systems also improve energy efficiency (up to 90 per cent in some locations), which also means lower costs. Finally, check out Belleville Transit, the Sewage Plant and the City of Belleville’s Human Resources building for more examples of renewable power sources. Learn more about CHP systems here. And, as part of Digital Doors Open, explore these sites – with their aerial views and photos.

The RiverBrink Art Museum is a fine-art museum, open since 1983, featuring changing exhibitions from the renowned art collection of lawyer Samuel E. Weir (the museum is his former home), as well as outstanding works on loan from contemporary artists and Canadian and international collections. Exhibitions change throughout the year. There is also a library and gift shop onsite.

The Rose is a magnificent performing arts venue and iconic feature of downtown Brampton — a destination for local and world-renowned performers, providing opportunities for culture lovers to experience talent in an extraordinary setting. Architecturally and acoustically sublime, the venue boasts two performance venues for large shows and intimate experiences. As part of Doors Open, take an exclusive backstage tour.

Come and explore the new home of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 — complete with a museum where you can learn about the Sault’s miliary service over the years. Part of their new home is also an award-winning residential facility. In addition to museum artifacts, more military artifacts and exhibits will be available in the adjacent meeting rooms. (Photo: SalDan Construction Group)

The large, residential community of Sandalwood is located near the northern border of the City of Brampton. This community is home to a healthy mix of land uses and spaces. Trails and parks cut through the neighbourhood, allowing for strong connectivity between various areas. The Nurturing Neighbourhoods Program aims to connect residents with resources, improve civic engagement and empower residents to play an active role in enhancing their neighbourhood. We want to have meaningful conversations in our neighbourhoods. As part of Digital Doors Open, residents can enjoy a virtual neighbourhood walking experience and share what they love about their neighbourhood and what can be changed using the online survey and mapping tools. Though the city is there to support, the strongest neighbourhoods are made by the people who actually live there.

The rapids at the mouth of the Saint Mary's River have been the key factor in Sault Ste. Marie's history. The city was named after them, too ("sault" is the 17th-century French word for "rapids"). For Digital Doors Open, choose from one of four online tours — or do them all — Sault Rapids, Stroll down Queen Street, Downtown Murals or Waterfront Attractions. You can find them all here. Or you can download the app (from the App Store or Google Play) and take actual walking tours in your own time, at your own speed. However you do them, have fun exploring Sault Ste. Marie! This OnThisSpot project is a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.

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.

Curious about where Seaforth’s drinking water comes from? Come and tour the Seaforth Water Treatment Plant to see how water from three wells is tested, treated and made safe and reliable to drink. Explore the pipes, treatment process and computerized monitoring system that ensures clean water flows from the plant to your tap. Note: Closed-toe shoes required for the tour.