The Ancaster Old Township Hall, built by William H. Thuresson in 1870, was a centre of local politics and exhibitions, including Edison’s “magic phonograph” in 1878. Today, it remains a fine example of stone architecture with original features. Retained by the City of Hamilton, visitors during Doors Open Hamilton can explore and learn about ongoing restoration efforts.

The Auchmar estate, built in the 1850's for the Buchanan family in the Gothic Revival style, has been host to numerous owners and their stories. Over time, it transitioned through the Trigg and Young families, and later served as a convalescent home for the Royal Canadian Air Force and a religious retreat for the Hungarian Sisters of Social Service.

The Balfour House (Chedoke Estate) was formerly the site of an Iroquois settlement overlooking the escarpment. Built in 1836 by William Scott Burn, the house was owned by a succession of prominent Hamiltonians including the Balfour family, who occupied it from 1909-2013. The mansion is now owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by the City of Hamilton.

Barrel Heart Brewing is an upscale brewery and eatery in the old Dundas post office. The old-world brewing traditions are perfectly suited to the post office vibe. Visitors can enjoy lunch in the taproom, buy a few bottles of beer, or simply drink in the beauty of the location in a landmark Dundas building.

Dating back to 1796, this home once belonged to the Gage family. While on site enjoy the Dunington Grubb landscape and the 13.8 hectares (34 acres) of meadows and forest that make up the property. Explore the contrast between the Tudor Gothic Revival Battlefield Monument and the artwork Eagles Among Us, symbols of peace and reconciliation.

The Hamilton’s Community Builders Tour at Hamilton Cemetery is a unique and immersive experience that explores the history and cultural heritage of Hamilton and the influential community builders who helped shape the city. The tour takes visitors on a journey through the cemetery, visiting the graves of some of the city's most influential and innovative residents.

The Central Presbyterian Church, designed by John Lyle and opened in 1908, replaced an earlier church that was destroyed by fire. This was his only church. The flat roof resembles more the public buildings favoured by the beaux-arts style than traditional European churches. Central Presbyterian has one of the largest and finest Casavant organs in Hamilton. Recitals to be announced.

An example of High Victorian architecture, Century Manor was in operation as a hospital from 1884 to 1994. Indwell, a charity creating supportive housing communities, will preserve and transform this important heritage building into housing with 40 apartments and common areas. 

Registration is required (FULL).

Step into the Cotton Factory, a vibrant creative hub in lower Hamilton and a stunning adaptive reuse of the 1900 Imperial Cotton Company. Home to artists, artisans, and creative professionals, it offers open studios, galleries, pop-up markets, and versatile event spaces. Discover dramatic Gothic industrial architecture, original details, and a rare, fully operational 1944 Otis Fensom freight elevator.

Built in the 1840s, this picturesque building was a doctor's office for six consecutive local physicians and served generations of Dundas patients until 1974. When the office was under threat from nearby construction, Dr. Clarence Bates donated it to the Dundas Museum where it was moved on a truck. It is now the largest artifact in the Museum's collection.

Opened in 1956, the Dundas Museum & Archives is a private, non-profit museum that collects, interprets and celebrates the unique identity of the Valley Town. As part of Doors Open Hamilton, they welcome the public to tour its permanent galleries. As well, you can visit the historical circa 1848 Doctor's Office and the 1873 Pirie House.

Explore Dundurn Castle, an Italianate villa built in the 1830s on Burlington Heights, once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, Premier of the United Canadas and his family and household staff. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Castle, listen to traditional music performed by harpist Ruth Sutherland and don’t forget to explore the grounds, including Dundurn’s beautiful Historic Kitchen Garden.

Discover Fieldcote, a 1948 Tudor-style home turned cultural heritage centre in the heart of Ancaster. Celebrate local history, art and natural heritage, and explore the museums newest exhibit Beyond the Blue & White: Wedgewood Designed for Canada. Pick up a walking tour guide for Wilson Street and enjoy free live music on May 2nd from noon to 4 p.m.

Experience heritage conservation on one of Hamilton’s most storied streets. Their live‑work studios on Barton Street East showcase active restoration projects using traditional craft techniques. Visitors can explore real projects and see how heritage is preserved in a neighbourhood undergoing renewal.

The Tropical Greenhouse at Gage Park, opened in July 2021, is a 1,300-square-metre (14,000-square-foot) greenhouse containing a unique collection of subtropical plants, palm trees, a waterfall and fishpond. Visitors can view the production greenhouses where annual plants intended for the city’s gardens and traffic islands are started. Plants will be transferred this year beginning May 24.

The George R. Robinson Bandshell was built in 1947 in memory of Lieutenant George R. Robinson. Robinson, born 1840, was Bandmaster of the 13th Battalion Royal Canadian Militia from 1869 until his death, and is credited with reforming Canadian music. His Battalion Band was known for traveling across North America. Today, the bandshell serves as a stage for summer concerts.

Situated in a park-like setting in the heart of Waterdown, Grace Anglican Church is a welcoming, affirming, inclusive faith community for people of all backgrounds. Its stunning Gothic-revival building, with gorgeous stained-glass windows, was built in 1860. The parish has its own food bank and is engaged in social justice, climate justice, and truth and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

The elegant Edwardian gable and bay on Grant Avenue was transformed by Dan Lanois, Bob Lanois and Bob Doidge into the world-renowned recording venue, Grant Avenue Studio. The two-storey box bay façade with stained-glass windows has welcomed artists from Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers to U2 and Johnny Cash. Check out this excellent example of adaptive reuse.

The Halo Studio is a one-of-a-kind recording studio that offers professional audio engineering services in the heart of downtown Hamilton. Their custom-built studio was originally designed by Trevor Garwood Jones as a dental office in 1972. Some architectural detailing remains and now provides the perfect vibes for creating great projects. Their control room has recorded Bruce Springsteen and Kanye West.

Step back in time and explore the Hamilton Cemetery Gatehouse. Nestled at the entrance to Hamilton Cemetery, Ontario’s oldest public burial ground, this charming structure offers a glimpse into the city’s storied past.

Built in the 1854, the Gatehouse is an example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Once serving as the caretaker’s residence, this heritage building now stands as a gateway to the rich history preserved within the cemetery grounds

Explore the Hamilton Children’s Museum brand-new expanded building and stretch your imagination as you touch, build and experiment in a friendly, child-focused setting. Come see the new exhibits and participate in hands-on activities. Please note visits will be limited to 1.15 hour in length and there may be extensive wait times to visit the museum. Parking is limited.

Hamilton Craft Studios is a 1,300-square-metre (14,000-square-foot) multidisciplinary craft space in a historical wire factory in downtown Hamilton. Panoramic windows fill the space with natural light. The second floor houses woodworking and fabrication spaces, while the third floor features ceramics, textiles and general arts studios — offering tools, equipment and shared workspaces for makers of all skill levels.

Battery Lodge, now home to the Hamilton Military Museum, began as a guardhouse during the 1837 Rebellion. Today it showcases military history through exhibits including Lawyers and Land Pirates and Blood Ties to a Gentle Landscape. Explore the Discovery Gallery, experience life as a soldier and try the accordions or drums celebrating Hamilton: city of music!

Located on the site of the Hamilton Waterworks complex, this museum features two 13.7-metre (45-foot) steam engines which pumped clean drinking water from 1859 to 1910. Built in Dundas, these steam engines are the oldest of this type still standing in North America. Join us for self-guided tour of the Boilerhouse, Pumphouse and Woodshed.

Tisdale House is the oldest home in Ancaster. In the 1820s, the building was occupied by "Charcoal Burner" John O’Neil and housed two charcoal kilns. Later, the house became an undertaker’s parlour run by George Moore. The house has been fully retrofitted and is now home to the Ancaster Community Policing Centre and the Hamilton Police Museum.