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. Doors Open Ontario began in 2002 to connect people to places by facilitating public access to built and natural heritage sites that normally restrict regular access to the public. In 2023, the province-wide theme will be Food - exploring Ontario's historical traditions of food production as well as the spaces that shape and define our culinary traditions today.
We visited Sleeman Breweries at 551 Clair Road West and learned about the beginnings of Sleeman's, prohibition and the punishment for breaking the rules, and re=opening after fifty years.
The Sovereign, 66 Macdonnell Street, also known as the Petrie-Kelly Building, is a visual anchor for the eye in the center of downtown Guelph. It was completed in 1882, and was built on the old site of the old Great Western Hotel and was jointly financed by W.H. Cutten, barrister and A. B. Petrie, pharmacist.
The Petrie Building, 15 Wyndham Street, has been a downtown Guelph icon since opening in 1882. It is on the east side of the street between Cork and Macdonell Streets. This four-story stone and timber building is reminiscent of the Second Empire style.
The Dominion Building, 138 Wyndham Street North, is Guelph's only example of Modern Classicism. This building retains original exterior decorative details. It housed the post office and other federal departments. When the post office closed in 2005, the art deco interior was restored, along with the original bronze doors, stained-glass windows and plaster work. Today, it is home to Guelph's social services division as well as apartments.
Spring Mill Distillery, 43 Arthur Street South - the single-story section was the original building of Allan's Mill, constructed in 1835 with locally quarried limestone. Whiskey, vodka and gin are being distilled.
The Canadian Pacific Caboose 436994 and Locomotive 6167 are in John Galt Park, 35 Woolwich Street. Locomotive 6167, built in 1940, was used as a passenger and freight train.
Guelph Waterworks, 29 Waterworks Place - Until 1878, Guelph's needs for water were satisfied by private wells, cisterns and the Speed River. Originally only intended for fire protection, the excavation of the pumping station changed the purpose of the waterworks when a spring was struck yielding a large supply of uncontaminated water which the Waterworks Commission believed could be used for domestic purposes.
Details in the window openings, the Matthew Bell-carved stonework, and curved brackets supporting the gable roof were all restored in 2020. Guelph won an award in the Historical Restoration/Preservation category from the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) in 2021.
