Doors Open Owen Sound Seeking Heritage Sites to Participate

Discover Owen Sound’s rich history and plan a day trip to explore heritage sites as part of Doors Open Ontario. This annual program of the Ontario Heritage Trust, in partnership with the City of Owen Sound, will take place this year on Saturday, June 21.

Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide heritage tourism program that gives the public free access to explore fascinating heritage properties across Ontario. It showcases the buildings, natural spaces, infrastructure, and cultural landscapes that shape and define our communities. 

The City of Owen Sound is seeking host sites to open their doors to visitors on June 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. To take part, please contact Jen Wright, Events and Activation Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1237 or email jwright@owensound.ca.  Past Doors Open Owen Sound sites have included museums, places of worship, art studios, sports clubs, gardens, cemeteries and more.

Doors Open Ontario started in 2002 to help people connect with important places. It allows the public to visit unique buildings and natural heritage sites that are usually closed to them. The program also ensures that everyone, no matter their financial situation, can explore Ontario’s diverse heritage for free.

Since 2002, the program’s impacts have been substantial: 8.6 million visits have been made to thousands of unique buildings and spaces, 15,000+ volunteer hours are generated annually, and participants spend more than $11 million during their travels in a typical year as they learn about heritage conservation, local history and have fun.

Doors Open Ontario's core principle is to create meaningful shared experiences for all Ontarians to enjoy and appreciate their heritage with as few barriers to participation as possible.

To get involved or for more information, please contact Jen Wright, Events and Activation Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1237 or email jwright@owensound.ca.

Quotes:

"Through Doors Open Ontario, visitors can experience so many places and spaces in their communities that make Ontario so special, free of cost."

-      John Ecker, Board of Directors Chair, Ontario Heritage Trust.

Quick Facts:

• Doors Open Ontario is a provincewide heritage tourism program.
• Since the program began, over 93 per cent of Ontarians live in a community hosting Doors Open Ontario.
• From April to October, explore Ontario’s heritage treasures at free public events across the province.

-30-