Doors Open Oshawa
Doors Open Oshawa
Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide celebration that provides a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy sometimes hidden and always interesting places and spaces in cities across Ontario - free of charge from May to October.
The theme selected by Doors Open Ontario for 2024 was: Adaptive Reuse – showcasing heritage sites that have been repurposed to best serve their communities while retaining their heritage attributes. Through the continued use and reuse of our historical structures, we realize their contribution to the sustainability and the economic and cultural energy of our urban and rural communities.
Explore Doors Open Ontario 2024
Doors Open Oshawa is a free annual event, offered the first Saturday in May providing an opportunity to explore Oshawa's diverse heritage and cultural sites. Event Patrons are welcome to spend the day discovering local history first-hand and celebrating our community heritage.
We look forward to seeing you for Doors Open Oshawa 2025, on Saturday, May 3.
2024 Participating Sites:
70 King St. E.
Architect: J.W. Butler & Co. (1925), Joel Gerber Architecture
Year built: 1925
Constructed in 1925 by J.W. Butler & Co. and officially recognized as a designated cultural heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act. During World War II, Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, was a frequent visitor to this location, which was previously known as the ‘Genosha Hotel’. It also hosted several future CIA directors, including J. Edgar Hoover, before they were secretly sent overseas. Additionally, the Canadian rock band Rush performed at this venue multiple times before the property renovations.
1000 Stevenson Rd. N.
Year built: 1943
The 420 Wing has been in operation since 1948 when returning Air Force Veterans formed a "Wing" as did many Cities and towns across Canada. It remains a fully accessible vital organization, open to all citizens.
39 King St. E.
Architect: Webb, Blythe & Sproule
Year built: 1939/1940
Established in 1940, Biltmore Theatre was built by the Okun Bros. of Toronto. Under different names, it has operated as a movie theatre, nightclub, and music venue. The Biltmore Theatre at the time of Doors Open Oshawa 2024, was operating as a hall for touring concerts, special events, and community rentals.
44 Bond St. E.
Originally constructed for the General Motors United Auto Workers Union Local 222. A taste of the "big city" at home, BOND|ST Event Centre. The venue provides a unique event space with multiple spaces, which include the Mainstage music venue, TwoTwoTwo, the Local Lounge, Cafe, and Snack Bar.
2008 Boundary Rd.
Architect: Lynn Philip Hodgson
Year built: 1941
Event patrons enjoyed one and a half hour walking tour to hear in depth stories of the famous top-secret spy camp; Camp-X.
99 Simcoe St. S.
Year built: c. 1920
The Canadian Automotive Museum was established in 1962 to promote the history of the automotive industry and tourism in the area. Currently, the Canadian Automotive Museum is home to the world's most significant collection of Canadian vehicles. Located in a former 1920s auto dealership building across from Memorial Park. More than 70 vehicles are on display including Lighting McQueen from Disney/Pixar’s Cars.
100 Whiting Ave
Year built: 1920
The CLOCA building was erected in 1920 as the Robson Leather office. The site was originally the Cedar Dale Works making farm implements in the late 1800’s. From 1898 to 1977 the site was home to Robson Leather turning out 2000 hides a day for shoe and boot leather. Visitors dropped in during Doors Open to view historical information including pictures and artifacts and talk with CLOCA staff on-site.
61 Charles St.
The former Alger Press Building was renovated and refurbished by Ontario Tech in 2010 and is one of the university's key academic hubs. Walk through Charles Hall, which houses classes, research labs, and the Faculties of Education and Social Science & Humanities.
919 Farewell St.
Year built: 1964
The City of Oshawa's Glass Parks Horticulture greenhouse is one of the few remaining City-run glass greenhouses in Ontario. This greenhouse is used to host the city's tropical plant collections and produce the majority of the annual bedding plants used in the city's flower beds, hanging baskets, and planters. From seedlings to beautiful arrangements, visitors took in where City Gardeners and seasonal staff grow ideas that adorn City streets, gardens, and parks all year long.
53 Simcoe St. N.
Situated in downtown Oshawa, the Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Armoury occupies a compact site including a large structure, constructed of brick on a stone foundation, which contains a large drill hall. The square towers that flank the drill hall façade emphasize its fortress motif. The Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Armoury is a recognized federal heritage building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values. Participants viewed an array of military equipment, and visit the main floor of the Armoury as well as the officers' Mess.
2000 Simcoe St. N.
Durham College opened in 1967, with 14 staff, 205 students, and 16 portable classrooms. Today, the college boasts a vibrant campus culture and is a leader in teaching and learning. It serves more than 13,700 full-time students and 14,600 professional and part-time. Guided campus tours were available to highlight the campus and its state-of-the-art learning spaces.
1681 Simcoe St. S.
The Port of Oshawa is Durham Region's gateway to the world, handling more than 500 vessels carrying over 3 million metric tons of cargo over the past decade. The Port is one of the few cities that can boast an airport, rail lines, a deep-sea port, and 400-series highway all within proximity, offering importers and exporters a competitive edge. Through a detailed, guided tour, event patrons travelled throughout the HOPA grounds and learned in the ins and outs of this fascinating and innovating port and marine asset.
Islamic Centre of Oshawa
23 Lloyd St.
Architect: Array Architects
Year built: 2012
The Islamic Centre of Oshawa is the first purpose built mosque in the City of Oshawa. The new mosque was opened for service in June 2012. Located in the heart of downtown Oshawa, the Islamic Centre of Oshawa was established in the late 1970's as one of the first mosques in Ontario. Visitors experienced guided and self-guided tours, learning the customs and culture this building offers.
110 Simcoe St. S.
The art deco-inspired bandshell was a gift from R.S. McLaughlin, founder of General Motors Canada, in 1942 to the City of Oshawa. During Doors Open Oshawa, event patrons enjoyed a performance by the Oshawa Civic Band and free, family friendly lawn games. The War Memorial and Cenotaph set in Memorial Park, unveiled in 1924 also celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024.
In 2024, City of Oshawa Council officially designated this property as a Heritage Site, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
1000 Stevenson Rd. N.
The Ontario Regiment (RCAC) Museum is the official military history museum of Durham Region's own local Canadian Army unit, the Ontario Regiment (RCAC), and home to Canada's largest collection of operational historic military vehicles. For an additional fee, visitors rode in the museum's M548 "Battle Bus" and M113 armoured personnel carriers.
2339 Simcoe St. N.
Architect: Thomas Brown Architects Inc.
Year built: 2016
Oshawa’s newest fire station is a 992-square-metre (10,675-square-foot) single-storey building, designed to complement the historical legacy of Windfields Farm. Built on the former Windfields Farm land (the birthplace of champion racehorse Northern Dancer), the building also reflects the area's agricultural history. Doors Open Oshawa visitors, participated in hourly guided tours - experiencing fire education and safety and images and artifacts of Windfields Farm history.
1446 Simcoe St. S.
Year built: c. 1840 and 1883
Visitors learned about life in the late 19th century at the Oshawa Museum. Henry House was the family home of Thomas Henry, a local minister, farmer, and harbourmaster. Built circa 1840, Henry House exhibits as a traditional Victorian-era home. Museum staff was on hand to talk about the family and answer questions about the buildings and artifacts.
65 Debwewin Miikan (formerly Bagot St.)
Architect: Arthur Eadie
Year built: 1954
Forming part of Oshawa's Civic Centre, the Library was a gift of Col. R.S. McLaughlin in 1954. Architect Arthur Eadie was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright in his design of the McLaughlin Public Library, now our central branch. Guests enjoyed a display of materials in the Local History Room, and could also attend a guided tour showcasing the evolution of the McLaughlin Library as it has adapted to serve the community over the past 70 years.
1908 Colonel Sam Dr.
An outdoor area owned by the City of Oshawa, Friends of Second Marsh is a charitable organization committed to 'Connecting People with Nature' through interpretative, educational, and stewardship services. Visitors were greeted at the entrance to the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and introduced to this incredible natural area that is a mystery to most citizens of Oshawa.
50 King St. E.
Year built: 1919
The Regent Theatre's façade, built in 1919 for Famous Players theatres, has Georgian architectural lines. One of the town's few remaining examples of this classically inspired style, the building reopened in 2010 as a lecture theatre for Ontario Tech University. Guided tours and fresh pop popcorn was enjoyed by all.
51 Centre St. S.
Architect: Eden Smith
Year built: 1924
St. George’s Memorial Church has been a distinctive landmark in Oshawa for 100 years. It continues to have an integral place in the city’s history. View the Church’s interior, showcasing its architectural artistry, beauty, and serenity. Doors Open Oshawa patrons enjoyed a selection of artifacts and photographs over the joint centennial milestone with the City of Oshawa and celebrating 100 years.
72 Queen St.
Architect: Hugh Allward of Allward & Gouinlock, Arthur Erikson
Year built: 1969
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) was founded in 1967 and expanded to add 36,000 square feet in 1987. The RMG is the largest public art gallery in Durham Region with a collection of over 4,700 works, focusing on the continuing story of Canadian Abstraction. Guests tried hands-on artmaking and enjoyed guided tours throughout this day long event.
Site visitors experienced an afternoon walking tour of 1920s Oshawa courtesy of the Oshawa Museum. The Oshawa Union Cemetery, formerly Thornton's Burying Ground, is the final resting place of many famous individuals from Oshawa and Canada. The site spans 12 hectares and includes private mausoleums and a Gothic-revival chapel.
285 Britannia Ave W.
The historical Windfields Farm — the birthplace of the celebrated horse Northern Dancer — has been transformed into a sustainable agricultural research centre for Ontario Tech University. This open-air laboratory pioneers innovative farming methods, conserves biodiversity, and integrates renewable energy. In celebration of the City of Oshawa’s centennial, a shuttle bus transported guests from Ontario Tech’s Campus Ice Centre to this historic site for self-guided tours and to view Northern Dancer's grave site.
Photography at City of Oshawa events
The City of Oshawa hosts open, free public events. Photographers will be present taking photos and video footage at these events. These images may be used without further notification on City-owned and non-City-owned property, print media, digital media, the Internet, social media sites, media releases and broadcasts. By attending, you consent to such use.
Virtual Sites:
| Oshawa Union Cemetery |
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Many famous people from Oshawa's and Canada's past are interred in Oshawa Union Cemetery, formerly “Thornton's Burying Ground”. Oshawa Museum’s podcast highlights the history of the cemetery. Today, the site covers 32 acres and includes private mausoleums and a Gothic-revival chapel. The mausoleum was built in 1924 and features an ornate marble interior and hand-painted stained-glass windows. The on-line interactive map is a new, searchable resource of burials. The gravestones are of particular interest; explore the iconography or the rare White Bronze markers. Listen to a video podcast about Oshawa in the 1860’s and the story of George Prentice and the Fenian Raids. Oshawa Union Cemetery Map interactive map
Oshawa Museum podcasts
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| Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens |
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“Exploring the beautiful OVBG is fun and easy! You can now use you smartphone to scan QR Codes placed on signage to learn about the park, points of interest and use a navigation guide between landmarks. Durham College students designed and created an augmented reality platform as part of TeachingCity partnership with the City Of Oshawa. Visit the park, scan a QR Code and try it for yourself! Or view the virtual map. |
| Trent University Durham GTA |
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Trent University Durham GTA began delivering courses in 1974 at various facilities in the Oshawa community. In 2010, a standalone campus opened its doors at the site of the former St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School on Thornton Road. An extensive renovation was undertaken to modernize the building at that time. It leveraged existing brick archways and cedar planked ceilings, which were complemented by a new modern and spacious light-filled atrium. In fall 2020, a new academic and residence building officially opened its doors. Adorned with striking copper-clad columns, state-of-the-art learning and living spaces, and wood themes that tie the two campus buildings together, this new addition to the campus continues in the University’s traditions of beautifully curated architectural features. Explore the beautiful spaces and campus amenities through the virtual tours. Trent University Durham GTA sees education unfold on a personal scale and is a close knit, scholarly community in a diverse, urban environment with a robust offering of in-demand and unique academic programs. |
| Waterfront Trail |
| TeachingCity Oshawa is proud to announce the launch of new interactive experience to encourage the community to get out, explore and learn!
Now people walking along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Oshawa can use their smartphone cameras to scan Quick Response (QR) codes placed on signage, to learn about the various parks, points of interest and amenities on the Trail, while also using a navigation guide to link you to other points of interest along the way. Durham College (DC) students in the School of Media, Art and Design researched, designed and created the interactive information portal that includes a wayfinding tool as part of a City Idea Lab course through TeachingCity Oshawa. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches 3,600 km along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes region, and connects 155 communities, including those of the First Nations. Oshawa’s portion of the Trail stretches 11 km along the shoreline between the borders of Whitby and Clarington. This portal helps guide and inform exploration of the trail, parks, natural areas and points of interest along the way. Learn more about TeachingCity at www.teachingcityoshawa.ca |
