With its rivers, rapids, and storied landscapes, Sault Ste. Marie, affectionately known as “The Soo,” invites visitors into a day of exploration and reflection this fall. As part of the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Doors Open Ontario program, Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie will run Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering free access to heritage sites across the city. Whether you're passionate about Indigenous histories, industrial heritage, architecture, or local stories, there’s something to spark new insights. Keep reading for our full interview with Jami van Haaften from The Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Heritage Committee, for insider perspectives on this year’s lineup.

Often dubbed an adventure town thanks to its proximity to nature trails, waterways, and the rugged beauty of the Great Lakes region, Sault Ste. Marie is more than an outdoor hub—it is a community with deep layers of history and culture. Located at the northern edge of Lake Huron, the city is about 4.5–5 hours north of Toronto, roughly 3 hours east of Thunder Bay, and 2 hours west of Sudbury, making it reachable for day-trippers from across Northern Ontario and beyond. The Teachers on Call in-person and online tutoring team recommends the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Doors Open Ontario events like this as prime opportunities for learning outside the classroom, a city where science, environmental studies, Indigenous history, and local heritage intersect in fascinating ways. Locals or visitors will love weaving heritage into their day, learning about sometimes hidden stories right in their backyard.

Participating Sites at Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie

• Algoma Conservatory of Music - 75 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5P9
• Algoma University (former Shingwauk Indian Residential School) — 1520 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G3
• Art Gallery of Algoma — 10 East Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3C3
• Bishop Fauquier Memorial Chapel & Cemetery — 1540 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G3
• Bishophurst — 134 Simpson Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3V4
• Canal District — 83 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5P9
• Clergue Blockhouse — 800 Bay Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2A8
• Ermatinger Old Stone House — 800 Bay Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2A8
• GFL Memorial Gardens — 269 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Y9
• Heritage Ghost Walk — meet at 831 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2A8 
• Memorial Tower — 269 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Y9
• North West Company Lock — 75 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5P9
• Ontario Forest Research Institute — 1235 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 — 96 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y5
• Sault Ste. Marie Armoury — 375 Pine Street (1 Garrison Way), Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 3E6
• Sault Ste. Marie Métis Heritage Centre — 138 John Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1P1
• Sault Ste. Marie Public Library (James L. McIntyre Centennial Branch) — 50 East Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 3C3
• Sault Ste. Marie Public Library (North Branch) — 232C Northern Avenue East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4H6
• Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig — 1491 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G5
• Wawanosh Monument & Memorial Project — 96 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y5

Read Our Full Interview With Jami van Haaften from The Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Heritage Committee

Behind the scenes tours are always popular. Is there a site in Sault Ste. Marie this year that’s offering something usually closed off to the public?

The Bishop Fauquier Chapel is rarely open to the public. It has recently restored stained glass windows and has a poignant history with the story of the residential school and the nearby cemetery. The GFL Memorial Gardens was added to the list by request and is only open for two hours with guided tours. The Memorial Tower is one more site that is open for this event, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 25, will host. The Architect of the Ontario Forest Research Institute Dave Ellis is providing guided tours and he and staff of OFRI will explain features of the building.

Algoma University’s former Shingwauk Indian Residential School has such a complex history. What do you hope people take away when they visit this site during Doors Open?

I think both here and at the Wawanosh Memorial Project they will come away with a fresh appreciation of the work undertaken by the Children of Shingwauk in sharing their story with the community, and the significance of the Truth and Reconciliation process.

For first-time Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie visitors who want to make the most of the day, can you suggest a route or a few sites that pair well together geographically or thematically?

The theme of Indigenous history is well covered by the Shingwauk Indian Residential School, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig Teaching Lodge and the Sault Métis Heritage Centre. The fur trade era is represented by the North West Company Lock and The Old Stone House. The industrial era is part of the theme of Clergue’s Blockhouse and the Machine Shop/Canal District.

What interactive or kid-friendly features are part of this year’s lineup at Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie? Anything designed to spark curiosity in younger visitors?

I think any site with a museum will have something to offer children – The Armoury, the Legon, Ermatinger Clergue NHS and the Sault Métis Heritage Centre. The GFL Memorial Gardens was added to the list by request. That would appeal to any fan of the Soo Greyhounds. Ermatinger Clergue NHS has a theatre with a short movie to watch and the Discovery Center there has a room of interactive exhibits and pages to colour. The Sault Métis Heritage Centre also has some colouring sheets. The Heritage Ghost Walk should spark their imagination!

Sites like Memorial Tower offer glimpses into military history. For guests who may not usually visit such sites, what might surprise them about the stories they’ll find here?

We have three sites this year with a military theme, the Memorial Tower, the Sault Armoury and the new Royal Canadian Legion headquarters. The local cadets are planning displays at the Armoury. Both the Armoury and the Royal Canadian Legion Headquarters have museums. The artwork inside the tower is a feature. People may be surprised at the range of military conflicts covered, going back to 1812. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 25 will be at the Memorial Tower and the RCL Headquarters to answer questions.

If someone has just a few hours, which sites would you recommend as must-sees in Sault Ste. Marie, and why?

You are spoiled for choice. You might focus perhaps on sites that are not normally open to the public. Another focus could be sites that normally charge an admission fee. Two choices. I personally would start my day at the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library because there is an author talk there at 10 a.m.  The Art Gallery of Algoma is right next door. You could then continue east on  Queen Street and see the Armoury (Pine Street) Bishophurst (on Simpson), the Ontario Forest Research Institute and the Bishop Fauquier Chapel. You could also stop in at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and the Sault Métis Heritage Centre or save that for another day.

Exploring takes energy! What local cafés or restaurants in Sault Ste. Marie do you recommend for a rest or a bite?

Royal Canadian Legion building has two restaurants. Absolutely Delicious (6 Great Northern Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y5), a good spot to stop for a drink or a meal.The Canal District has several restaurants. The Blockhouse Pub (87 Huron St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5P9) offers all day breakfast and hearty meals. Both Queen Street and Great Northern Road have numerous cafes and restaurants. Hotels like the Water Tower, Quattro and The Delta have great restaurants too.

What do you hope visitors walk away with after Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie, especially folks who might not be from Sault Ste. Marie or know much of its heritage?

I think visitors would be surprised to discover how many sites here have been designated by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada or recognized by Ontario Heritage Trust as being of heritage value.I am struck by the effort that has been made by so many organizations to collect, conserve and preserve our historical papers and artifacts and share stories, many times through the work of dedicated volunteers.

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Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie is your ticket to exploring stories that shape the north, stories of industry, Indigenous legacy, community, and transformation. Whether you’re climbing the Memorial Tower, walking through the former Shingwauk Residential School, catching a guided tour in the Ontario Forest Research Institute, or enjoying a ghost walk through downtown, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for this city’s past and promise. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and join the journey of discovery that connects past, present, and future in the heart of the Soo. Want to learn more about upcoming Doors Open Ontario events? Check out our blog as we follow along with events this season.

After exploring the unique heritage, culture, and community stories at Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie, if you’re interested in diving deeper into educational learning across Northern Ontario, check this out. Sault Ste. Marie’s heritage is closely tied to Northern Ontario’s rich mining history, as well as the skilled trades that continue to play an important role in Canada’s resource sector. Do you know youth who would thrive in a career with specialized knowledge and hands-on work? Keep reading!

Bring Students to Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs from September - December, 2025

The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is hosting the Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs to foster interest in the skilled trades for students in grades 7-12. This year the fairs will visit 12 locations across the province, including 3 free-of-charge open house events in Northern Ontario. If you want to learn more about the skilled trades careers in mining, More details here. 

Check out This Is Mine Life at Level Up! Open Houses in Northern Ontario throughout October 2025

Sudbury on Oct 8 - 9 at the Sudbury Community Centre, 1166 Roy Ave, Greater Sudbury, ON P3A 3M6

Timmins on Oct 15 - 16 at Northern College, Timmins Campus, 4715 Highway 101 East, South Porcupine, ON P0N 1H0

Thunder Bay on Oct 22 - 23 at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition, 425 Northern Ave, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 2V6  

This is Mining: The Podcast

Teachers on Call’s online and in-home tutoring service has a special focus on supporting students in Northern Ontario, helping them strengthen academics while exploring future career pathways in fields such as mining, technology, and environmental science. Our President & CEO, Joanne Sallay, was recently a guest with Amber Mac on This is Mining: The Podcast in the episode City to Mine Site: An Educator’s Wake-Up Call, where she discussed how modern mining connects to education and careers of the future. For more on this topic, you can also revisit our blog on Modern Mining & Future Careers for Students: An Education Tour in Gogama, which highlights the importance of hands-on learning experiences in connecting classroom studies to real-world opportunities.

Together, initiatives like Doors Open Sault Ste. Marie, the Level Up! showcase, and conversations on This is Mining: The Podcast highlight how community and industry events can open doors for students by helping them see the link between heritage, innovation, and future career pathways.