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.

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.

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.

The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre showcases the city’s history through artifacts and exhibits overlooking Lock 3 of the Welland Ship Canal and the nearby Welland Canals Fallen Workers Memorial. Its galleries explore earlier canals, the Underground Railroad, and the contributions of immigrant and Freedom Seeker communities in the 1850s, alongside exhibits on women’s history and local industry.

Take a guided stroll along the quiet streets of the Yates Street Heritage District, only steps from bustling downtown St. Catharines. This architectural heritage tour is led by Brian Narhi, chair of the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee. Hike begins at the St. Catharines Cenotaph at 6 St Paul Street West and ends at St. Thomas Anglican Church; Pre-registration Required.

St. George’s, the first established church in St. Catharines, celebrates its 235th anniversary next year. The grey stone church features carved stone, stained glass, war memorials, and a magnificent pipe organ, creating an inspiring setting for worship. It also supports a daily breakfast program and serves as a hub for shelter, community gathering, and music programs for all ages.

St. Ignatius of Antioch Orthodox Church is an English-speaking parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, located in the former Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church. Since its 2013 purchase, the sanctuary has been transformed with Byzantine-style iconography, including works by Alexander Schelechow and Hanan Houli, reflecting a growing, vibrant community rooted in tradition and faith.

This Gothic-revival cobblestone church was built in 1839 by Levi Boughton in Upper Town on land purchased from town founder, Hiram Capron. Inside, there are unique features often unseen, including a one-of-kind Lepers Window, one of only two working tracker organs in Canada, military plaques and beautiful stained-glass windows.

This church features a simple Gothic Revival style with a gable roof, belfry with pointed arches, buttresses, a brick vestibule, chancel and side wing, and a rose window. The building hosts the Light on the Hill Church an evangelical family church that serves Richmond Hill and York Region. Tour the building, cemetery and gardens, explore historical artifacts and enjoy all-day breakfast.

St. John's was one of the first Anglican churches built in Upper Canada. It is the oldest one standing and in use in Ontario. Begun in 1793, the church was completed and used as a place of worship in 1794. Fire destroyed it in 1925 and it was rebuilt that same year, continuing to offer services to the present day.

Drop by and visit the quaint, little St. John's Anglican Church in the village of Bath and explore the craftsmanship of its traditional stained-glass windows. See if you can guess which of these windows has been carefully restored by a craftsman who also restored windows for the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

The Coptic Orthodox Church was founded by Mark the Evangelist in AD 43. St. Mary & St. Joseph has a distinctive history and boasts unique architectural features. Beautiful hand-painted murals, carved wood and imported Egyptian marble grace the church’s interior. Join a guided tour and learn about the culture and heritage of the Coptic community in Richmond Hill.

Reverend James Peter Scanlon formed an Anglican congregation in the late 1950s. This congregation purchased land for a new church that was officially opened on May 1, 1959. After being partnered to various Anglican parishes, St. Peter’s became its own parish on July 1, 1979. Learn more about this church and its history during Doors Open Loyalist Township.

St. Thomas’ Anglican Church has been a St. Catharines landmark since 1879. Designed by noted Buffalo architect, Milton Earle Beebe, this Richardson Romanesque church is notable for its magnificent turrets and elaborate stained-glass windows. The church is also known for its long-standing daycare centre and Annual Civic Carol Concert, which showcases the wonderful acoustics under its expansive domed roof.

Stratford City Hall, built in 1899, is a National Historic Site in the heart of downtown. This red-brick Victorian landmark, with its iconic clock tower, ornate detailing and auditorium, showcases the city’s rich history. Doors Open visitors can explore the auditorium and council chambers, and discover the stories behind the building’s past and its role in the community.

This museum comprises a buff brick house and extension, woodlots and trails. The home was built for early settler Thomas Holliday, who raised 10 children here with his wife, Mary. The property was sold in 1946 to Wesley Thurston, who developed an equine operation. The museum's collection of 35,000-plus artifacts now sits on the footprint of the Thurston horse barn.

The Stratford Public Library, built in 1903 with a $15,000 Andrew Carnegie donation, opened quietly after heated debate over accepting Carnegie’s funds. Originally featuring a grand north entrance and lower-floor custodian quarters, the library expanded in 1925-26, moving the entrance east. Today, its historical architecture reflects a century of evolving library service, from restricted stacks to vibrant community spaces.

Take a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Collections Room and Conservation Labs at the Stratford-Perth Archives. Inspired by the architecture of the Perth County Courthouse and Registry Office, this 2015 building was purpose-built to preserve photographs, maps and other documents illuminating rich local history. If you can only make a quick visit, check out the Treasures Old and New exhibit.

Visitors are invited to explore this architectural and spiritual treasure, built in the 1940s by a devoted Ukrainian community. Designed by priest-architect Philip Ruh, the church blends Ukrainian Greek Catholic tradition with rich ornamental design. Inside, icons by Igor Suhacev add colour and meaning. Designated a heritage site in 1997, it stands as a testament to faith and cultural identity.

Believed to have been built in 1812 to house soldiers, The Barracks Inn building has been a drugstore, a body shop and a tool and die shop over the years. The original building burned down and was replaced by a solid stone structure. Now a luxury boutique hotel, the building has been remodelled and delightfully restored.

The Westdale was built in 1935 as Hamilton's first cinema equipped to show “talkies” — motion pictures with sound. It is the centerpiece of Westdale Village. In 2016, a group of arts and culture-minded Hamiltonians decided to save it from developers. Today, The Westdale has been beautifully restored into a stunning art deco, single-screen theatre and multidisciplinary performance space.

For 35 years, Theatre Tillsonburg has delivered unforgettable live theatre experiences. Based at the Otter Valley Playhouse, this vibrant community theatre presents three productions each season, along with workshops, camps and special projects year-round. Whether you enjoy watching, learning or performing, Theatre Tillsonburg welcomes you to experience the magic of live theatre.

The Theatrix Costume House is located behind an Edwardian gable front beside the fabric district on Ottawa Street. Theatrix has one of the largest collections of costumes available in North America, with over 50,000 professional-quality costumes and accessories from every century. During Doors Open, they are thrilled to showcase music-inspired costumes. The team will be delighted to dress up, too!