Explore, Learn & Celebrate: Doors Open St. Marys Brings Heritage to Life | August 9, 2025

Get ready for a special heritage journey in “Stonetown”! On Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Doors Open St. Marys invites families and students to explore 15 unique sites across downtown St. Mary’s free of charge and full of discovery. As part of the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Doors Open Ontario program, this one-day event offers behind-the-scenes access to limestone architecture, museums, historic houses, community spaces, and adaptive reuse projects—unlocking hands-on learning and local stories at every turn. Whether you’re a curious family or a student looking to connect with real-world history, this event combines fun and education in equal measure.

Located in Southwestern Ontario, St. Marys is celebrated for its beautifully preserved limestone buildings, earning it the well-deserved nickname “Stonetown.” The town’s rich deposits of local limestone helped shape its early construction, giving rise to grand homes, churches, and civic buildings. With much of its downtown designated as a Heritage Conservation District, St. Marys offers a unique opportunity for learners of all ages to see how natural resources and craftsmanship shaped community identity over time. Nestled just 20 km from Stratford, 40 km from London, and about 175 km from Toronto, this gem of a town makes for a very doable day trip. Part of the larger province-wide Ontario Heritage Trust program, this annual favourite continues to shine a light on Ontario’s rich history, and Teachers on Call’s in-person and online tutoring team is proud to spotlight events that offer hands-on learning opportunities for families, students, and educators.

Participating Sites – Doors Open St. Marys

• 14 Church Street North — 14 Church Street North, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1C5
• Broken Rail Brewing (St. Marys Junction Station) — 480 Glass Street, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1E5
• Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum — 386 Church Street South, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1C2
• Central School Manor — 189 Elizabeth Street, St. Marys, ON, N4X 0B5
• Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church — 149 King Street North, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1C3
• Riverside Bed & Breakfast — 96 Robinson Street, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1A3
• St. James Anglican Church — 65 Church Street South, St. Marys, ON, N4X 0A6
• St. Marys Museum — 177 Church Street South, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1B6
• St. Marys Public Library — 15 Church Street North, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1B4
• St. Marys Presbyterian Church — 147 Widder Street East, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1B1
• Station Gallery — 5 James Street North, St. Marys, ON, N4X 1B1

An Interview with Amy Cubberley Cultural Services Manager at the Town of St. Marys – St. Marys Museum and Archives

What unique stories or standout buildings can visitors look forward to during this year’s Doors Open?

Having recently toured it myself, one standout building is the Flour Mill. This 1863 limestone building has been completely renovated in recent years by Tracey Pritchard, a former Toronto caterer, food writer, restauranteur and consultant. She has converted the main floor into a number of retail spaces. On the second and third floors, her stunning private residence will be open to the public, as well as a short-term rental space that is soon to be ready for bookings.

With 15 locations on offer, what kind of turnout are you expecting this year? Do you anticipate more local families or out-of-town visitors discovering St. Marys for the first time?

Usually, our sites that are regularly open to the public see about 120 visitors during Doors Open, while the sites rarely or never open to the public can see up to 400. In past years, the event is usually a 50/50 mix of locals and out-of-town visitors. This is our first time hosting Doors Open in August, as we usually host in September. By moving it to the summer and away from those busy first weeks of school for young families, we’re hoping to see more families from out of town.

For guests who may only have time to visit a few sites, what are your personal “can’t-miss” picks on this year’s list—and what makes them special?

Always the private residences! It is so special to be able to tour through someone’s private space that they have graciously opened for the day. This year we have three with Central School Manor opening three private suites, Marie and John Stevens opening Riverside Bed & Breakfast, and Tracey Pritchard opening her wonderfully recently renovated apartment above the Flour Mill.

Are any locations offering guided tours, behind-the-scenes access, or special demonstrations to help bring local history to life?

Marie and John Stevens have planned a special day at Riverside B&B. 2025 marks their home’s 150th birthday party, so they are throwing their home a birthday party that day! They have a lovely front porch overlooking the Thames River and have planned a day filled with artist demonstrations, musical entertainment, and birthday cake!

Doors Open is always a family-friendly event. Which sites are especially well-suited for kids or offer hands-on experiences for curious learners?

The museums and galleries are great spaces for kids to explore with hands-on experiences.

For visitors planning a walking route, what’s the best starting point to explore downtown?

The best place to start is Town Hall. There will be an information tent set up in front of the building where folks can pick up a map for the day. Nine of the 15 sites are within a few blocks of Town Hall ( 175 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 1C5), so it makes for a good, centrally located starting point.

Any tips on parking or navigation for first-time attendees?

St. Marys offers free parking on all streets, although there is a 3-hour limit in the downtown core. As many of the sites are clustered together, we recommend parking once and walking to all the sites that are within walking distance. Maps will be available to pick up at all sites, and there will be staff and volunteers stationed at an information tent in front of Town Hall to help you make plans and navigate the sites.  

Heritage adventures work up an appetite! Where would you recommend families stop for coffee, lunch, or a sweet treat while exploring the sites? Any local gems you love?

There are many delicious eateries and coffee shops located within the Heritage Conservation District. Located just a few steps from Town Hall, Tutt Co Queen Street Eatery (159 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 1C1) offers delicious meals, small plates, cocktails and mocktails in a cozy atmosphere. Gilly’s Pubhouse (17 Water St S, St. Marys, ON N4X 0A6) offers a vast menu in a unique venue, the former St. Marys Post Office. Snapping Turtle Coffee Roaster and Barista’s(145 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 1A9) will keep you caffeinated while you walk from site to site. Town & Country Cheese Shoppe (117 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B2), Izzy’s Place (36 Water St S, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6), and the Flour Mill (6 Water St S, St. Marys, ON N5A 1B0) all offer delicious grab and go options if you plan to picnic in one of the nearby parks or along the riverfront. If you are looking for a sweet treat while exploring downtown St. Marys, the donuts from Green Haven Bakery (105 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 1A7) and the mint smoothies from the Chocolate Factory (166 Queen St E, St. Marys, ON N4X 0B5) are not to be missed!  

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With its rich history, charming “Stonetown” nickname, and 15 incredible sites to explore, Doors Open St. Marys offers a perfect mix of heritage, culture, and community spirit for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re marveling at historic architecture, discovering local museums, or enjoying hands-on activities, this event invites everyone to connect with the stories that shaped this unique town. Want to discover more about other communities participating in Doors Open Ontario this year? Check out our recent blogs featuring Seaforth, Cornwall, Burlington and many more, and start planning your next heritage adventure!