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

Goldie Mill Ruins and Norwich BridgeDoors Open Guelph

New

Goldie Mill Ruins and Norwich Bridge

The Norwich Bridge, one of Ontario’s oldest metal truss bridges, was constructed in 1882 to provide a vital connection across the river for early industries. One such place was the Goldie Mill, built in 1864 — one of the area’s first mills. Fire destroyed the building in 1953, leaving only the walls and chimney as you see from the ruins today.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

Start at the bridge (69 Norwich Street East) and then follow the trail through Goldie Mill Park to the ruins
Guelph, Ontario
https://guelph.ca/park/goldie-mill-park-and-ruins/

Architecture

Building type: Commercial Historical landmark Transportation

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Guelph Youth Music CentreDoors Open Guelph

New

Guelph Youth Music Centre

Come and explore Canada’s first non-profit centre dedicated to providing musical, cultural and artistic education opportunities for youth. Built in 1928, the site was formerly a seed processing facility. Plans by heritage architect Lloyd Grinham and renovations by over 1,000 volunteers created a renovated facility with 15 classrooms and teaching studios, a large dance studio, and a recital hall.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

75 Cardigan Street
Guelph, Ontario
Email: valerie@gymc.ca
https://gymc.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1928
Building type: Commercial Concert hall Educational facility Farm
Architect: Grinham Architects (restoration)

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Wellington County Administration Centre and Law LibraryDoors Open Guelph

New

Wellington County Administration Centre and Law Library

Constructed by William Allan of local limestone in 1842-44, the original County Court House is one of Guelph’s most significant buildings. It has been enlarged several times over the years. Walls from the original jail surround a secret garden. The Law Library is housed in the former 1911 jail building, known as the “County Bucket,” which was vacated in 1980.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

74 Woolwich Street
Guelph, Ontario
Email: jennifera@wellington.ca
https://www.wellington.ca/your-government/contact-us

Architecture

Year built: 1842-44
Building type: Courthouse Government building
Architect: William Allan

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Islamic Society of GuelphDoors Open Guelph

New

Islamic Society of Guelph

Built in 1856 for Scottish Congregationalists, this was Guelph’s second oldest stone church. Then, in 2008, the Islamic Society of Guelph purchased it and converted it into a mosque. The floor is covered with rugs for worshippers and there is a niche in the wall pointing to Mecca. Shoes must be removed, and head coverings are required.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

126 Norwich Street East
Guelph, Ontario
https://isofg.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1856
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Junction Village GuelphDoors Open Guelph

New

Junction Village Guelph

The Junction Village Community Land Trust is a community space located behind three houses where neighbours gather, connect and share in a large common backyard with an event space, community gardens, a skating rink, sauna and pool. Visitors can tour the outdoor areas and hear about their philosophy of sharing the housing, the land, food, childcare, recreation and entertainment.

  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

45-47 Meadowview Avenue
Guelph, Ontario
Email: 2sistersriver@gmail.com
http://junctionvillageguelph.com

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Trails Open: The Ontario ReformatoryDoors Open Guelph

New

Trails Open: The Ontario Reformatory

In 1912, reformatory prisoners built this wooden trestle bridge over the Eramosa River from Douglas fir logs transported by train from British Columbia. The Guelph Hiking Trail Club will lead 30-minute 400-metre walks (1,300 feet) (on demand) from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., visiting the Guelph Escarpment and the dry-stone walls around the remnants of Guelph's original 1908 oak aqueduct.

  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

Meet at the Barber Scout Camp parking area (733 Stone Road East)
Guelph, Ontario
Email: ghtccommunications@gmail.com

Architecture

Year built: 1912
Building type: Historical landmark

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Guelph Outdoor SchoolDoors Open Guelph

New

Guelph Outdoor School

Located on five wooded hectares (13 acres) of cedar grove along the Eramosa River, this school operates programs for children aged 4-14 in wild spaces that are home to many animals. Visitors can tour the three areas that contain tents and firepits where trained instructors lead a nature immersion program.

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

Contact info

733 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario
Email: chris@theguelphoutdoorschool.com
http://theguelphoutdoorschool.com

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Art Not ShameDoors Open Guelph

New

Art Not Shame

Founded in 2017, Art Not Shame is a community-engaged, multidisciplinary arts organization serving youth and adults in Guelph and across Ontario. Their new downtown arts hub features the Workshop, the Gathering Space, the Community Kitchen and the Sensory Room — spaces that are fully accessible, that foster creativity, and that offer a supportive and transformative environment for individuals and the community.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

119 Wyndham Street North
Guelph, Ontario
Email: somer.graham@artnotshame.org
https://artnotshame.org

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

RWDIDoors Open Guelph

New

RWDI

This Canadian-based firm of consulting engineers and scientists tackles complex problems in the built environment by combining innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Through climate engineering, building performance and environmental engineering, RWDI creates sustainable buildings and infrastructure that are resilient to extreme weather. Their headquarters here in Guelph feature state-of-the-art wind tunnels and a water tunnel. Only flat, closed-toed shoes allowed.

  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking

Contact info

600 Southgate Drive
Guelph, Ontario
https://rwdi.com

Architecture


Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

Guelph ArmouryDoors Open Guelph

New

Guelph Armoury

Constructed in 1909 of red brick with limestone trim, the Guelph Armoury has been the home of the 11th Field Regiment for over 165 years. Its castellated towers, battlements and heavy gate give the impression of a medieval fortress. The Officer’s Mess contains a collection of art and memorabilia of the Regiment.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

7 Wyndham Street South
Guelph, Ontario
Email: heather.kenny@forces.gc.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1909
Building type: Military
Architect: David Ewart and T.W. Fuller

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26

10C Shared SpaceDoors Open Guelph

10C Shared Space

10C is a community hub for activators and changemakers. It uses placemaking, social enterprise, social finance, social innovation — and food — to create new ways to connect, collaborate and share resources. They welcome groups and individuals working across sectors and engaging in collaborative work to build a resilient and sustainable community in Guelph, Wellington County and across Southern Ontario.

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

Contact info

42 Carden Street
Guelph, Ontario
Email: jess@10carden.ca
https://10carden.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1860s
Building type: Commercial
Architect: Lloyd Grinham Architects (restoration 2016)

Dates/hours open

Apr 26 - Apr 26