#DoorsOpenOntario 2019: 36 events, 900 sites, 1 endless adventure

TORONTO, April 25, 2019 /CNW/ - The Ontario Heritage Trust is opening the door to Doors Open Ontario 2019 and unlocking exciting architectural, cultural and natural heritage experiences this spring and fall season!

Doors Open Ontario encompasses 36 events including more than 900 built and natural heritage sites across the province. At each event, local programmers will share unique and interesting Ontario stories, take Ontarians behind-the-scenes of stunning heritage sites and provide one endless adventure to Ontarians from across the province.  

"Doors Open Ontario is a chance to explore some of this province's unique, interesting and beautiful historic sites," said Beth Hanna, CEO of the Ontario Heritage Trust, "Through this initiative, we discover anew each destination and its distinctive contribution to the whole that is Ontario – its cultural and natural heritage, its stories, languages, traditions, favourite foods, its art and its music."

Drawing nearly half a million Ontarians last year and contributing $13 million to local economies, it's clear that Doors Open Ontario is one of the preeminent events in the province.

This year's season kicks off with "Doors Open After Dark" on April 26, hosted by the Guelph Civic Museum, an evening that will have concerts, art activations and activities designed to bring Guelph's settler heritage into dialogue with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Doors Open Guelph continues the weekend on April 27, with artists across the city sharing Guelph's intriguing stories through dramatic storytelling, walking tours and pop-up art experiences.

A further 35 events across Ontario are happening on various weekends from April to October, including a new event in Dutton Dunwich. If you are interested in unique Ontario stories, have a heritage site you are excited to see or are looking to plan a free weekend this summer and take a road trip, check out the Doors Open Ontario site for full details on each event.

"Doors Open Ontario is an exciting event that gets people out in communities across the province and puts money back into the local economy," said Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "Each year, Doors Open Ontario helps us open the doors to the incredible history and rich heritage of our great province and I encourage everyone to get out and see the sites that this event has to offer."

Doors Open Ontario is a program of the Ontario Heritage Trust, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and has been recognized again this year as one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario.

Quick Facts:

• Doors Open Ontario 2019 will feature approximately 900 sites in 36 events across Ontario.
• 93 per cent of Ontarians live in a community that has hosted a Doors Open Ontario event.
• Since the first Doors Open Ontario in 2002, 7.8 million people have participated in an event.
• Since 2002, Doors Open Ontario has contributed $83 million to local economies and highlighted the heritage of local communities.

Learn More:

• Find events and plan your trip by visiting the Doors Open Ontario website.
• Activate the unique heritage sites in your community! Find out how you can participate in Doors Open Ontario in the future.
• Follow the hashtag #DoorsOpenOntario to keep up with the beauty of our province.

Doors Open Ontario 2019 alphabetical list of events

About the Ontario Heritage Trust

The Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT) is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport. The Trust identifies, protects, promotes and conserves Ontario's heritage. The Trust conserves provincially significant cultural and natural heritage, interprets Ontario's history, educates Ontarians of its importance in our society, and celebrates the province's diversity. The Trust envisions an Ontario where the places, landscapes, traditions and stories that embody our heritage are reflected, valued and conserved for future generations.

SOURCE Ontario Heritage Trust