Toronto 
After a decade-long break, Doors Open Stratford is returning, inviting people back inside some of the city’s most storied spaces.
Credit: Doors Open
The event runs April 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a mix of historic buildings, guided tours and evening programming. Visitors can start at the information centre at 47 Downie Street, a building that once housed Kresge’s “five and dime” in 1929, before setting out across the city.
Several sites highlight Stratford’s layered past. The Blowes Building on Wellington Street still shows off its original timber floors and tin ceilings, while Gallery Stratford reflects architect George F. Durand’s belief that buildings could be both functional and artistic. At Jobsite Brewing Co., traces of an 1874 Lutheran church remain visible inside the brewery.
Some locations open only on Saturday, including the Perth County Courthouse and Stratford-Perth Archives, offering a closer look at local architecture and preserved records.
Stratford City Hall, built in 1899, will also open its doors, giving access to council chambers and its historic auditorium. Nearby, the Queen’s Inn, dating back to 1858, continues its transition into the Queen’s Cue hotel.
Beyond buildings, 30 to 40-minute walking tours will run throughout the weekend, covering landmarks like the Avon River and Shakespearean Gardens.
On Saturday night, “Doors Open After Dark” adds another layer (ticketed events), with events ranging from a concert and dinner at Copperlight to a film screening and ghost walk through Stratford’s past.
Doors Open Stratford is the kickoff event of the larger Doors Open Ontario, with events lasting until October.
Doors Open Stratford
- Destination Stratford, 47 Downie St (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Former 1929 Kresge’s store turned tourism hub, where visitors can grab maps, learn local history, and begin exploring Stratford’s Doors Open sites.
- Blowes Building, 32 Wellington St (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Historic Victorian Brandenberger Block featuring original timber floors, tin ceilings, and a restored upper level showcasing details from its 19th-century commercial and community use.
- Gallery Stratford, 54 Romeo St S (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Two former waterworks buildings designed by George F. Durand, blending function and artistry, now housing a gallery space recognized for its architectural significance.
- Jobsite Brewing Co., 45 Cambria St (Apr 18–19, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.) Brewery located within a former 1874 Lutheran church, where visitors can still see original structural elements while enjoying food and drinks made onsite.
- Copperlight @ Knox Church, 142 Ontario St (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Historic church with restored stained glass, transitioning into a hospitality and arts venue, hosting a special evening concert and dining experience.
- Orr Insurance & Investment, 50 Cobourg St (Apr 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Elegant 1874 Italianate home built by Thomas Orr Sr., now an office, reflecting both architectural heritage and the family’s long-standing connection to Stratford.
- Perth County Courthouse, 1 Huron St (Apr 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) High Victorian courthouse by George F. Durand, known for stained glass, intricate woodwork, grand staircases, and preserved original architectural details throughout the building.
- Queen’s Cue Stratford Hotel, 161 Ontario St (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Stratford’s oldest hotel, founded in 1858, now being restored into a Marriott Tribute property while continuing its long role as a community gathering place.
- Stratford City Hall, 1 Wellington St (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) National Historic Site built in 1899, featuring a clock tower, ornate detailing, and public access to council chambers and auditorium during Doors Open.
- Stratford-Perth Archives, 4273 Huron Rd (Apr 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Purpose-built archives offering guided tours of collections and conservation labs, preserving photographs, maps and documents that capture Stratford and Perth County’s history.
- Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Rd (Apr 18–19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Museum set on a historic homestead with trails and over 35,000 artifacts, reflecting early settler life and the site’s later equine operations.
- Stratford Public Library, 19 St Andrew St (Apr 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Carnegie-funded library from 1903, expanded over time, showcasing evolving architecture and its role as a long-standing community gathering and learning space.
- History and Heritage Walking Tours, Stratford City Hall start point (Apr 18–19, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.) Guided 30 to 40 minute tours exploring landmarks like the Avon River, courthouse and gardens, first come basis.
- Doors Open After Dark, select locations (Apr 18 evening) Ticketed evening events including live music, dining at Copperlight, a film screening, and a ghost walk exploring Stratford’s lesser-known stories.
