The Archives of Ontario is the largest provincial archives in Canada, with a vast collection that includes textual (paper) items, photographs, maps, architectural drawings and audio, video and film recordings. Located at York University's Keele Campus, this purpose-built facility includes a large reading room with digital microfilm readers, audio and video booths, digitization and conservation labs, a large exhibit gallery and a classroom for educational programming. The Archives is also home to the Government of Ontario Art Collection. If you’re interested in researching at the archives, check out the Researching Our Records Online or the Tracing Your Family History videos on the Archives’ YouTube channel. As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about the Archives of Ontario through the video below, browse their many online exhibits or piece together Ontario’s history by trying out an online jigsaw puzzle.

Brampton's Fire and Emergency Services responds to over 20,000 calls every year. The Fire Services Apparatus and Maintenance Facility is where they come for repairs and ongoing equipment maintenance. This LEED-certified building opened in 2017 and provides ongoing support for all of the fire trucks and equipment used by Brampton's 13 fire stations. In addition, you'll find training facilities and a repair bay that can accommodate up to 18 vehicles at the same time — with a hoist that can lift up to 75,000 pounds! See for yourself. Take a virtual tour of Brampton's Fire Department Services Apparatus and Maintenance Facility in the video below.

The Imperial Cotton Factory, built in 1900, ran as a factory until 1972. It has been repurposed as the largest creative hub in the Hamilton area — with studios for artists, artisans, musicians, craftspeople and entrepreneurs. Film and television productions, photographers and special events are also drawn here. This year's Door's Open Hamilton is also the Cotton Factory's 10th anniversary.

Originally home to Knox College, this building later served as a military hospital and laboratory. It is now the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. To create the faculty's new home, the restored historical building has been blended with a contemporary addition that continues to delight visitors. During Doors Open, take a self-guided tour.

From its headquarters on Blair Road in Cambridge, the rare Charitable Research Reserve works to discover the most inclusive practices and answers to environmental issues, stewarding the reserve’s diverse network of natural landscapes for ecological integrity and future generations. rare offers Waterloo Region a diverse network of connected natural areas, protected intact in perpetuity. Its leadership in conservation, research, restoration and education is encompassed in North House, an aspirational 60-square-metre (650-square-foot) solar-powered home and working model of green technology. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes experience of this fascinating structure.

The Peel County Courthouse, a designated heritage site, and the Peel Jail, now home to the museum, have important stories to tell. Come and discover the rich history of this museum’s historical buildings — including the courthouse, jail and Land Registry Office. During Doors Open, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of the facilities. Check for tour times at the front desk.

Quinte Waste Solutions is the municipal recycling service that has collected for nine member communities for over 25 years. At its Trenton location – known as the Material Recovery Facility – they process over 50 metric tonnes of household recycling each day. During Digital Door Open, watch the video below to see how recycling works - from curbside collection to the sorting line to the finished bales of recycled materials that are then sold to companies for new uses.

The Rizzardo Health & Wellness Centre is an innovative health and wellness hub that is transforming how health care is delivered. The purpose of the Centre is to encourage health and wellness, connect with the community, foster a connection to nature, provide safe, accessible and comfortable social spaces, and support environmental responsibility. In this space, health-care providers and services are brought together to provide an integrated and optimized health-care system for the community. Services include family medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, physiotherapy, radiology, pharmacy, health and wellness programs, and more. (Check out the video below, as part of Digital Doors Open, to learn more about the Centre.) It is also home to the Horodynsky Community Kitchen and the Stewart and Betty Fisher Family Community Room. These multipurpose community spaces support the programs offered through the Centre, and are available to community members for business and social rentals. To learn more about the health-care services or virtual health and wellness programs available, visit their website. Or download this Healthy Habits Tracker and children’s activities – with colouring pages, games and more!

The Waters Passive House is the most energy-efficient home in Innisfil. Built in 2015, the house combines thick insulated walls, low air leakage, south-facing windows, energy-efficient windows, and a ventilation system for energy efficiency. Fun fact: The house has no furnace and is heated entirely by the heat generated by appliances, warm bodies, and the sun shining through the windows! It also has a 5-kilowatt solar generating system that provides electricity. (This video explains how this system was installed.) There are also lush natural gardens surrounding the house. So, what is a passive house? Watch this video for a 90-second explanation!