Ottawa’s doors are open all weekend
WEST CARLETON – This weekend some of the City of Ottawa’s most interesting places will have their doors open all weekend long.
Doors Open Ottawa is this weekend June 6 and 7 and many West Carleton landmarks are on the self-guided tour.
“The City of Ottawa is proud to present the Doors Open Ottawa, a free annual architectural event that celebrates our community’s built heritage,” city staff released in a statement.
Ottawa is built on unceded Algonquin Anishinabe territory.
“The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation,” staff said. :The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.”
During the first full weekend in June, Doors Open Ottawa will be celebrating its 23rd anniversary.
“We cordially invite residents and visitors alike to join us as we re-open the doors to some of the city’s most beautiful buildings,” staff said. “That’s right, we are thrilled to be returning to a live, in-person event but with the added bonus of enhanced virtual content.”
In 2002, the Doors Open concept became a reality when the very first Ottawa event welcomed nearly 80 building participants and 35,000 visitors. Since then, the event continues to expand and evolve with the everchanging times, and this year is no different. Buildings will have the option to participate virtually, in-person, or a hybrid of the two. As a visitor, you will simply have to plan your ‘visits’ accordingly and follow the most current public health policies in place.
As always, several West Carleton-based buildings and spaces are on the tour.
“We’re participating in Doors Open Ottawa again this year,” Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum staff released in a statement. “Thank you to everyone who has already reserved tickets — the event is now sold out. Due to capacity, only those with tickets will be allowed entry on Saturday, June 7, to participate in the free 30-minutes Highlights Tours. The museum returns to its regular operations on Sunday, June 8. We look forward to celebrating one of Ottawa’s most unique historical, cultural, and architectural sites.”
The Ottawa Valley Grain Products (OVGP) mill is also on the tour and you don’t need advanced tickets to stop by.
“Only a few more days until Doors Open Ottawa,” OVGP staff released in a statement yesterday (June 2). “Join us on June 7 to explore some of our city’s most historic and unique buildings.”
The OVGP mill is one of the oldest operating businesses in West Carleton, and West Carleton Online took the tour led by owner-operator Kevin Stewart in 2020, and you can read that story here.
“Whether you choose a virtual or live experience, you will discover the secrets and stories that lie within some of Ottawa’s most interesting buildings by way of still photography, in-depth descriptions, 3D and/or virtual tours, YouTube videos, in-person guided and self-guided tours, and more,” staff said. “On June 7 and 8, join us for the 23rd anniversary celebration of Doors Open Ottawa, and pay homage to our city’s history, culture, and stunning architecture! It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to discover how Canada’s capital has become the beautiful city it is today.”
Other West Carleton sites participating in Doors Open Ottawa include the CSS Building, St. Mary’s Anglican Church and Pinhey’s Point Historic Site.
For a complete list of participating buildings and spaces, click here.
For disability-related accommodations required to participate fully in this event, please contact us at doorsopen@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) or call 311.
