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Peek inside Owen Sound’s hidden historic gems
Go behind the scenes at Doors Open Owen Sound with free access to buildings and local landmarks—perfect for a summer day on the bay.
Event details
For one free Saturday in summer (June 21, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), you can step inside Owen Sound’s most fascinating buildings and spaces that are normally closed to the public.
Doors Open Ontario, a province-wide heritage tourism program presented by the Ontario Heritage Trust in partnership with the City of Owen Sound, showcases 19 sites including museums, churches, art studios, sports clubs, gardens, and historic buildings that define this Georgian Bay harbour city.
You can explore the Billy Bishop Museum, tour the British Methodist Episcopal Church, walk through the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, visit the Georgian Bay School of the Arts, reflect at the Giche-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden, and admire the Owen Sound Cenotaph (dedicated December 1, 1920 and designed by Emanuel Hahn, assistant to the architect of France’s Vimy Ridge monument).
The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, a stunning neoclassical structure completed in 1914 with Carnegie Foundation funding, features a barrel-vaulted ceiling with decorative plasterwork and exterior monumental brick pilasters.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Mudtown Station Brewery housed in the historic train station, and St. George’s Anglican Church all open their doors for self-guided touring.
Pick up site maps at City Hall’s Community Services desk or plan your route online before arriving. All sites are free to visit, making this an ideal day for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the stories behind Owen Sound’s most iconic spaces.
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