Toronto 
On Saturday, May 10, residents and visitors can explore over 17 heritage sites for free as part of the first-ever Doors Open Along the Grand. This collaborative event brings together the City of Brantford, the County of Brant, and Six Nations of the Grand River.
Credit: City of Brantford
Sites range from national landmarks like the Bell Homestead, where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1874, to cultural treasures such as Chiefswood, birthplace of Mohawk poet E. Pauline Johnson. Historic venues like the Arlington Hotel in Paris and His Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks also open their doors.
Aviation and sports fans can visit the Brantford Flight Centre, established in 1929, and the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition, which features a Wayne Gretzky tribute.
Other highlights include the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead, Woodland Cultural Centre, and Salt Springs Church, reflecting a wide array of local history and architecture.
This event is part of the province-wide Doors Open Ontario initiative and offers a rare glimpse into the region’s diverse heritage—free for all.
Doors Open – Along the Grand
Attractions:
- Step back in time at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead, birthplace of a pioneering women’s advocate. (359 Blue Lake Road, St. George)
- Explore the historic charm of the Arlington Hotel, once one of 17 drinking spots in Paris. (106 Grand River Street North, Paris)
- Visit the Bell Homestead National Historic Site, where Alexander Graham Bell brought the telephone to life. (94 Tutela Heights Road, Brantford)
- Celebrate local sports legends at the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition, inside the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. (254 North Park Street, Brantford)
- Take a guided tour of the Brantford Flight Centre, one of Canada’s oldest flying clubs. (110 Aviation Avenue, Brantford)
- Discover 75 years of horticulture at the Brantford Greenhouses, Parks & Recreation Operations Facility. (1 Sherwood Drive, Brantford)
- Learn and explore at the bustling Brantford Public Library, Main Branch, housed in a former department store. (173 Colborne Street, Brantford)
- Dive into Six Nations history at the Chiefswood National Historic Site, home of poet E. Pauline Johnson. (1037 Highway 54, Ohsweken)
- Visit Creek View Acres Nursery & Orchard for a taste of local agriculture. (400 Johnson Road, Brantford)
- Tour the WWII-era Former Cockshutt Moulded Aircraft Ltd., with exhibits and a play reading. (148 Mohawk Street, Brantford)
- Experience Indigenous and colonial history at His Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, Canada’s oldest surviving Protestant church. (301 Mohawk Street, Brantford)
- Join walking tours and museum visits at the Howell Block, home to the St. George Museum and Historical Society. (36 Main Street South, St. George)
- Stop by the Onondaga Community Hall, an 1874 Italianate building with deep community roots. (42 Brantford Street, Onondaga)
- Reflect on early settler life at the serene Salt Springs Church and its adjacent cemetery. (61 Salt Springs Church Road, Brantford)
- Take in the riverside views at St. Paul’s Chapel, now a venue and community hub. (1159 Highway 54, Caledonia)
- Learn about local history at the Syl Apps Community Centre, named for the famed hockey player. (51 William Street, Paris)
- Explore Indigenous culture and resilience at the Woodland Cultural Centre, a significant First Nations-run facility. (184 Mohawk Street, Brantford)
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How Much: Free
