Guelph

Digital event information

Digital Doors Open Guelph - D.O.G. Tales

Doors Open Guelph moves online this year, celebrating Guelph’s finest buildings, creative spaces and artistically or architecturally relevant sites. Presented annually by Guelph Arts Council since 2002, the program showcases and celebrates Guelph’s hidden gems, as well as its great resources, businesses and creative hubs. This year, Doors Open Guelph will take the form of five-minute tour videos highlighting the unique stories that each featured site has to tell. Digital tours will be released on guelphartsevents.com weekly from August 25 to September 30, ending with a bonus video in the last full week of the program.

Add these tours to your schedule just like you would if it were in-person. Carve out some time, get your family together or organize a socially-distanced gathering and cozy up for story time. Visit some of your favourite places, learn a new thing or two, and listen to the stories - all from the comfort of your own home!

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11 Sites

Guelph Masonic CentreDoors Open Guelph

New

Guelph Masonic Centre

Steeped in history — and mystery — Guelph’s first Masonic Lodge was established in 1849, occupying space on Wyndham Street for decades. The “new” Guelph Masonic Centre has been home to local Masons and their long-standing traditions since 1914. Nestled between Quebec Street and Chapel Lane, this building had a $1 million renovation in 2000, modernizing it while retaining original limestone walls.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Washrooms

Contact info

21 Chapel Lane
Guelph, Ontario

Architecture

Year built: c. 1860
Building type: Historical landmark

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Trails Open: The Rapids SidetrailDoors Open Guelph

New

Trails Open: The Rapids Sidetrail

Guelph has always been defined by its rivers. Come and take an informative hike alongside the rapids of the Speed River in Guelph’s Dufferin neighbourhood. This 1-kilometre (3,280-foot) section of the Trans Canada Trail was created by locals and upgraded by Guelph Hiking Trail Club volunteers in 2020 during the pandemic. Hikes will be offered on demand throughout the day.

  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

45 Speedvale Avenue East (use the rear parking lot)
Guelph, Ontario
https://www.guelphhiking.com/event-5619991

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

404 York RoadDoors Open Guelph

New

404 York Road

404 York Road offers visitors an eclectic mix of the arts along with the Lost Aviators Coffee Co. to refuel in between Doors Open stops along your itinerary. The building encompasses Ed Video — a charitable media arts centre — the Artworks Gallery Guelph and Azure Photography. Note: The Artworks Gallery Guelph’s will feature Adam Honsinger and Rain Bone performing original music.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

404 York Road
Guelph, Ontario

Architecture

Building type: Commercial Gallery

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Woodlawn Memorial Park MausoleumDoors Open Guelph

New

Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum

Dedicated in 1930, this classical-style limestone building is at the heart of Woodlawn Memorial Park. Set within the burial ground that was established in 1854, the marble interior of this mausoleum contains 300 crypts and ornamental features like stained-glass windows and hand-painted plaster ceilings. During Doors Open, tour the crematorium in the lower level as well.

  • Guided tours available
  • Parking

Contact info

762 Woolwich Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://www.woodlawnmemorialpark.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1930
Building type: Cemetery

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Provincial Offences CourtDoors Open Guelph

Provincial Offences Court

This Victorian Renaissance revival-style building served as Guelph’s town hall from 1856 to 2009 when the new city hall opened. Designed by William Thomas, it features carved stone, quarry stone quoins and a vermiculated key stone arch around the doors. In 2009, it was adapted as a courthouse, featuring original windows, crown mouldings, arched cells and a performance hall.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Washrooms

Contact info

59 Carden Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://guelph.ca/living/provincial-offences-court

Architecture

Year built: 1856
Building type: Courthouse Government building Historical landmark
Architect: William Thomas

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Guelph City HallDoors Open Guelph

New

Guelph City Hall

After 153 years in the original town hall (now the Provincial Offences Court), Guelph's new city hall opened in 2009. Designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, it combines the original firehall and the wall from the Provincial Winter Fair with modern green-building technologies. Step into the courtyard to see the old town bell and the centre-ice marker from the Memorial Gardens.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

1 Carden Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://guelph.ca/city-hall/city-hall

Architecture

Year built: 2009
Building type: Government building
Architect: Moriyama Teshima Architects

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Guelph City GreenhousesDoors Open Guelph

New

Guelph City Greenhouses

Nestled in Riverside Park, above the floral clock, these greenhouses grow gorgeous planters that decorate downtown streets and municipal buildings. See how City staff prepare for the spring planting, and see the plan for this year’s floral clock and Blossom Express. While here, check out other amenities in Riverside Park, including the Enabling Garden and the children’s playground.

  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

709 Woolwich Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://guelph.ca/park/riverside-park

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Dublin Street United ChurchDoors Open Guelph

New

Dublin Street United Church

This Gothic church celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Overcrowding in the First Wesleyan Methodist Church on Norfolk Street (now the Mission) led to the creation of this building in 1874 — in what would have then been the suburbs. Come and view the beautiful pipe organ, works of art and soaring stained-glass windows.

  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

68 Suffolk Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://www.guelphunited.org/dublin

Architecture

Year built: 1874
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Guelph Research and Development CentreDoors Open Guelph

Guelph Research and Development Centre

This Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centre focuses on food safety and value-added food attributes to help foster a profitable and sustainable agri-food sector in Canada. During Doors Open, observe the many labs and learn from food scientists about research being conducted on food quality, food safety, enhanced health benefits and new areas of research on the horizon.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Washrooms

Architecture

Building type: Educational facility Food and drink Government building

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Heritage HallDoors Open Guelph

Heritage Hall

This building, previously a British Methodist Episcopal Church, was built in 1880 by former Black slaves using limestone quarried from Essex Street. In 2012, the Guelph Black Heritage Society purchased and renovated the site, which is now a cultural, historical and social centre. Experience the mosaic tile Underground Railway quilt that tells the story of Guelph’s Black community.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

83 Essex Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://guelphblackheritage.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1880
Building type: Historical landmark Place of worship
Architect: William Slater

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27

Guelph Little TheatreDoors Open Guelph

Guelph Little Theatre

In 1935, the first Little Theatre opened at Guelph City Hall. In 1993, a fire forced the theatre out of the Salvation Army Hall on Dublin Street. In 1997, it moved into a former welding shop that now features a 288-seat raked auditorium, gracious lobby, rehearsal hall, workshop and dressing rooms.

  • 2024 theme: Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

176 Morris Street
Guelph, Ontario
https://guelphlittletheatre.com

Architecture

Year built: 1960
Building type: Theatre

Dates/hours open

Apr 27 - Apr 27