In 1979, local community members came together to establish a committee to support refugees, which grew into the New Canadians Centre (NCC). Today, the NCC is dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees and other newcomers to the Peterborough area. Come and explore the NCC and its other tenants: St. James United Church, St. James Players and the Kawartha Youth Orchestra.

Join local historian Gord Young for a lively walking tour of Auburn, a once-thriving hamlet settled in 1823 by the Stewart and Reid families. Explore homes that housed early settlers and mill workers, uncover the legacy of the Auburn Woollen Mill, and trace the path of the railway that helped shape this historical Peterborough neighbourhood.

William Dixon House, built in 1837 by one of Smith Township’s founding families, is an early Georgian stone dwelling — one of the oldest remaining in Peterborough. Dixon used stone from his quarry and timber from his sawmill to build this hilltop home, once wrapped in a two-storey veranda. No longer a family home, it is now a psychologist’s office.

Constructed between 1837-43, the Scotts Mills dam and lock allowed steamships to pass through Whitlas Rapids to Peterborough. Today, Lock 19 is the only lock remaining on the Trent-Severn Waterway to retain its original masonry. The dam was rebuilt in 1904 and again in 2023, with new public-friendly landscaping. Speak with a Parks Canada engineer from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Peterborough & County Military Museum, located on the ground floor of the Peterborough Armoury and operated by knowledgeable volunteers, displays items from the area’s long military history. Peterborough residents have served from the War of 1812, through the 1837 Rebellion and 1866 Fenian Raids, in both World Wars and the Korean War, to present day as peacemakers and peacekeepers.

The Quaker Park Tennis Club is a picturesque spot beside the Otonabee River. Built by the Quaker Fellowship in 1922, it was originally used by Quaker Oats employees and their families as a social club. The original log clubhouse is still in use today and retains many of its original finishes. Maybe you’ll discover that tennis is for you!

Constructed in 1889 by John E. Belcher as North Ward School, the building was expanded in 1907 and renamed Queen Alexandra School. Prospective teachers studying at the nearby Normal School used it as a model school for training. Since 1975, it has been home to the Activity Haven Recreation Centre, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Hutchison House, one of the oldest limestone houses in Peterborough, was built by the community in 1837 for its first physician, Dr. John Hutchison. The house was restored and opened as a museum in 1978. During Doors Open, explore “Together From Apart: Stories of Immigration,” a temporary exhibit by the Fleming College Museum Management and Curatorship Program students.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives tells the story of the city and its surrounding area. The present building was constructed in 1967 by architect Eberhard Zeidler to mark Canada's centennial. In 2017, a highly acclaimed restoration was completed. During Doors Open, come and explore their fall exhibit artiFACTS, and tour the Holodomor National Awareness Tour’s mobile classroom.

In 1965, a coalition of amateur thespians bought the fire-scorched St. Luke's Anglican Church and converted it into a community theatre. The Peterborough Theatre Guild has been entertaining audiences ever since. Tour backstage to see the set-building workshop, wardrobe and props collections, light and sound booths, and make-up demonstrations. Then take a seat and enjoy 10-minute plays at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Built in 1892 for industrialist James Kendry, Sadleir House is a striking Queen Anne home that has been turned into a vibrant community hub. Now run by the PR Community and Student Association, this not-for-profit centre hosts concerts, exhibitions and more. Enjoy refreshments, local art displays and staff-led tours that celebrate the building’s rich history.

All Saints’ Anglican Church was constructed in 1909 to replace an earlier 1891 church, which now serves as the Parish Hall. In 2025, the congregation is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Come visit this distinctive Peterborough church, admire its beautiful collection of stained glass and enjoy an organ recital at 1 p.m.