Doors Open Toronto
History - 2012 Doors Open Toronto
Doors Open Toronto May 26 & 27, 2012
Toronto was the first city in North America to launch this prestigious event dedicated to built heritage, architecture and design.
Developed as a millennium project in 2000 by the City of Toronto, Doors Open Toronto has since attracted over 1.5 million visitors to hundreds of buildings throughout the city.
In 2002, inspired by the successful Toronto program, the Ontario Heritage Foundation (now the Ontario Heritage Trust) launched Doors Open Ontario.
11 years of Doors Open Toronto
Fort York National Historic Site
Kudos!
Doors Open Toronto is the proud recipient of numerous awards.
Find out more.
Doors Open Around the World
The inspiration for Doors Open Toronto came from Europe. France was the first country to launch its Doors Open program in 1984, followed by Glasgow in 1990. Currently, 48 European countries participate every September during European Heritage Month. In addition, Australia and the United States have also joined the highly successful Doors Open movement.
Event links from around the world:
- Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- London, England
- Scotland
- United Kingdom + Ireland
- Council of Europe Heritage Days
- Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
- New York City, New York, USA
- Denver, Colorado, USA
Our Family loves Doors Open Toronto. We have always been proud of our city but this program has increased both our knowledge and appreciation.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
I visited 2 sites in east end Toronto:The East Toronto Masonic Temple at 15 Chisholm Ave and Hope United Church at 2550 Danforth.
For 30 years I have lived within 3 blocks of both of these sites, and I have never been in either of them. Both were very interesting to visit. The volunteers who answered questions at both sites were friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable.
Thank you for including these sites in Open Doors.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
My mom, who is 80 years young, has been coming [to Doors Open Toronto] with my husband and me every year. Even though she has lived in Toronto for most of her life she says she has never seen so much of this city.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
I think the great success of Doors Open Toronto proves to the politicians, and to developers, that people do care about their heritage. They know that a city becomes a better place to live when the character of great old buildings is preserved.
– Margie Zeidler, Developer In Globe and Mail Article, Report on Business
These types of events bring the community together - there are some real architectural treasures and hidden gems to be explored.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
Doors Open is not just about historical buildings, but also buildings that play an important or distinct role in the fabric of the participating community.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
...We frequently wonder if Toronto architecture has any redeeming qualities. The answer, of course, is a resounding 'Yes!' and a weekend attending Doors Open sites provides all the proof you need.
– The Torontoist
...The real importance of Doors Open may be its ability to bring us all a little closer together, to expand the common understanding that transforms mere physical proximity into something approaching citizenship and shared identity.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
...Doors Open is one of the best things to have happened to Toronto architecture so far this century or for any century for that matter.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
...Had an amazing day today, had a first date, we did Doors Open Toronto: got a free beer sample at Steam Whistle and went sailing, 1st time ever!.
– Doors Open Toronto Tweet
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. I look forward to this every year! I loved and appreciated how informative and friendly every single person running the locations we went to were - this really is a great event in our city!
– Stephan Peleck, Doors Open Toronto Participant
May the Doors always be open.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
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