Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor
Doors Open Ontario presenting sponsor

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Doors Open Ontario:

St. Marys

in-person event information

Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Close to everything yet removed from the ordinary, St. Marys is a town that works — and a town that plays. From being a grain and agricultural centre in the late 1800s to becoming an incubator for unique businesses, a hub for artists and artisans, and the host of many community events, St. Marys illustrates why small towns work — charming history paired with modern amenities, all wrapped in an extraordinary setting, in any season.

St. Marys will be opening its doors to a variety of unique buildings again this year on August 9. From our modern Aquatics Centre to our 1850s museum, there will be something for everyone to explore and enjoy!

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Community information

The Stonetown is an apt moniker for St. Marys as the town is filled with unique architecture that features locally quarried limestone.

The stone buildings reveal much about the town's history and, in many cases, the development of the town can be witnessed in its architecture. From stunning architecture to picturesque vistas, St. Marys has a special character all its own. To assist in the preservation of this character, the Town of St. Marys designated its downtown core as a Heritage Conservation District in 2012.

St. Marys is conveniently located just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Stratford, 40 kilometres (24 miles) from London and 175 kilometres (108 miles) from Toronto. We look forward to your visit!

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Become a volunteer

Volunteers are an essential part of Doors Open St. Marys. Volunteers do not need any previous experience to participate in Doors Open and will be provided with information and a formal training session prior to the day of the event.

Volunteer roles

  1. Tour guides of historical buildings and participating sites
  2. Greeters to meet the public and organize tour groups
  3. Counters to assist the greeter and count participants

For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, contact us at museum@town.stmarys.on.ca.

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Contact information

10 In-person Doors Open sites

14 Church Street NorthDoors Open St. Marys

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14 Church Street North

In February 2022, the Town of St. Marys purchased this site. The brick and limestone structure has been vacant since 2006. The Town’s plan is to preserve its heritage value as a potential site for cultural activities, programming and administrative space. The first phase of construction will be complete in time for Doors Open visitors to tour this blank canvas.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Photography allowed

Architecture

Year built: 1876
Building type: Commercial

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

Broken Rail Brewing (formerly St. Marys Junction Station)Doors Open St. Marys

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Broken Rail Brewing (formerly St. Marys Junction Station)

This train station, built by the Grand Trunk Railway, served the community for almost a century. A teenaged Thomas Edison may have worked here as a night telegraph operator from 1863-64. Now home to Broken Rail Brewing, the station underwent renovations in 2020. Stop in for a pint while the new owners proudly share the history of this space.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Food vendors
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms

Contact info

480 Glass Street
St. Marys, Ontario
Email: info@brokenrailbrewing.ca
https://brokenrail.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1858
Building type: Food and drink Transportation
Architect: Grand Trunk Railway

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumDoors Open St. Marys

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Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Located in an 1860s limestone house with an impressive 2019 addition, this museum is on 13 picturesque hectares (32 acres) overlooking the local quarry swimming hole. The site includes a major league-style baseball diamond, two children’s fields and picturesque walking trails. The museum showcases artifacts and memorabilia, and pays tribute to baseball’s impressive Canadian roots and the accomplishments of inductees.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

386 Church Street South
St. Marys, Ontario
Email: scott@baseballhalloffame.ca
https://baseballhalloffame.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1860s; 2019 addition
Building type: Attraction Museum

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

Riverside Bed and BreakfastDoors Open St. Marys

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Riverside Bed and Breakfast

The original house built here was an excellent example of an L-shaped Ontario house from the mid-Victorian period. Leon Clench, St. Marys’ first practising lawyer, adapted the basic design for his family. It was the childhood home of world-famous violinist, Nora Clench, and is now home to a thriving bed and breakfast whose owners had it designated in 2017.

  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust

Contact info

96 Robinson Street
St. Marys, Ontario
Email: museum@town.stmarys.on.ca
http://www.riversidestmarys.biz

Architecture

Year built: 1875
Building type: Commercial Historical house
Architect: Leon Clench

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

St. James Anglican ChurchDoors Open St. Marys

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St. James Anglican Church

In 1857, a plain church of local limestone was erected here. It still forms the heart of St. James, making this the town’s oldest place of worship in continuous use. In the mid-1880s, the church was renovated. The roof was raised and entrance porches were added. Additionally, the southwest corner was given a Gothic tower and the sanctuary was extended.

  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

65 Church Street South
St. Marys, Ontario
https://www.stjamesinstmarys.org

Architecture

Year built: 1857; mid-1880s
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

St. Marys Heritage Conservation DistrictDoors Open St. Marys

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St. Marys Heritage Conservation District

The combination of limestone buildings constructed from locally quarried stone, a scenic location in the river valley, a physically intact downtown, and the large number of well-preserved historical buildings all combine to give St. Marys a distinct feel and charm. Come and explore the architecture, vibrant shops and restaurants, and scenic vistas located in the St. Marys Heritage Conservation District.

  • Food vendors
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms

Contact info

Meet at 175 Queen Street East (St. Marys Town Hall)
St. Marys, Ontario
Email: museum@town.stmarys.on.ca
https://www.townofstmarys.com/en/recreation-and-culture/Heritage-and-Historic-Landmarks.aspx

Architecture

Year built: Various

Architect: Various

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

St. Marys MuseumDoors Open St. Marys

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St. Marys Museum

When George Tracy — one of St. Marys' earliest settlers — built this house for his family in 1854, it was the largest residence in the area. The neighbourhood park surrounding the building today is what remains of the extensive grounds of this “Castle in the Bush.” A fine example of domestic limestone construction, it has been a museum since 1959.

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Full wheelchair access
  • Kid-friendly
  • Parking
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed

Contact info

177 Church Street South
St. Marys, Ontario
Email: museum@town.stmarys.on.ca
http://www.stmarysmuseum.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1854
Building type: Historical house Museum
Architect: Robert Barbour

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

St. Marys Town HallDoors Open St. Marys

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St. Marys Town Hall

This Town Hall is a replacement for an earlier municipal building that was destroyed by fire in 1890. The building was designed by Toronto architect G.W. Gouinlock and was built in 1892 using St. Marys limestone, with contrasting sandstone accents. Still the administrative centre of the town, the building contains the newly renovated council chambers, municipal offices and an auditorium.

  • Full wheelchair access
  • Guided tours available
  • Site has blue and gold provincial plaque
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Architecture

Year built: 1892
Building type: Government building Historical landmark
Architect: G.W. Gouinlock

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09

St. Marys United ChurchDoors Open St. Marys

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St. Marys United Church

St. Marys United Church, built with white Ontario brick, replaced a smaller limestone Methodist church. Its tower once supported a steeple that was damaged by lightning in the 1940s and removed. The interior of this place of worship is spacious and inspiring. The Casavant organ, added in 1907, is one of the finest in the area.

  • Guided tours available
  • Parking
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities

Contact info

85 Church Street South
St. Marys, Ontario
https://stmarysunitedchurch.weebly.com

Architecture

Year built: 1879
Building type: Place of worship

Dates/hours open

Aug 09 - Aug 09
14 Church Street North
Broken Rail Brewing (formerly St. Marys Junction Station)
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Riverside Bed and Breakfast
St. James Anglican Church
St. Marys Heritage Conservation District
St. Marys Museum
St. Marys Station Gallery
St. Marys Town Hall
St. Marys United Church