Doors Open Quinte West – Explore Military Roots, Natural History & Community Gems | October 4, 2025

Curiosity and exploration meet heritage in Quinte West this fall. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm, the community welcomes visitors to discover 14 fascinating sites through the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Doors Open Ontario program. This annual event is more than just a chance to peek behind usually closed doors. It is an opportunity for families, students, and lifelong learners to deepen their understanding of local history, science, and culture. From aviation and natural history to art, conservation, and community spaces, each site tells a story that connects the past to the present. Visitors can expect hands-on activities, unique exhibits, and behind-the-scenes access that bring classroom concepts to life in real-world settings. Keep reading for our full interview with Shannon Millar, Tourism Coordinator, City of Quinte West.

Quinte West, home to Canada’s largest military airbase (8 Wing/CFB Trenton) and the gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and innovation. Just under two hours from Toronto and about 90 minutes from Kingston, it’s a convenient and enriching destination for day-trippers or weekend explorers. With museums, art galleries, and heritage landmarks, this city is the perfect setting for hands-on history and storytelling. At Teachers on Call, our in-person and online tutoring service loves how events like the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Doors Open Ontario bring learning beyond the classroom, giving students and families new ways to connect with history, science, and the arts.

Full List of Participating Sites at Doors Open Quinte West 2025

• Farmtown Park – 437 West Front Street, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0
• H2O Getaways Boutique Houseboats – 155 County Road 33 (Lock #1), Trenton, ON K8V 5R1
• Lauzer House (formerly Dr. Farncomb’s House) – 81 Henry Street, Trenton, ON K8V 3T6
• National Air Force Museum of Canada – 220 RCAF Road, Astra (Quinte West), ON K8V 1B2
• Old Wooler Schoolhouse – 62 County Road 5, Quinte West (Wooler area), ON K0K 3M0
• Ontario Genealogical Society, Quinte Branch (at Quinte West Public Library) – 7 Creswell Drive, Trenton, ON K8V 5R6
• Parks Canada, Trent-Severn Waterway, Lock #1 – 155B Highway 33 / Lock #1, Trenton, ON K8V 5P6
• Paulette Kinmond Art Gallery – 195 Riverside Parkway, Frankford, ON K0K 2C0
• Quinte Masonic Centre – 33 King Drive, Frankford, ON K0K 2C0
• Quinte Museum of Natural History – 99 Dufferin Avenue, Trenton, ON K8V 5E2
• Quinte West Gardens – 47 Guelph Street, Trenton, ON K8V 4E9
• Quinte West Public Library (Trenton Branch) – 7 Creswell Drive, Trenton, ON K8V 5R6
• Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area – 129 Front Street, Quinte West, ON K8V 4N6
• Trenton Town Hall 1861 (Trent Port Historical Society) – 55 King Street, Trenton, ON K8V 3V9

Check Out Our Full interview with Shannon Millar, Tourism Coordinator, City of Quinte West

Doors Open Quinte West has been running since 2012. How has it changed over the years?

Quoting Jennifer Rushlow, our Tourism Development Officer, "With only a few historically significant sites in Quinte West, we've had to be creative over the years selecting sites that may not be historic in nature but interesting and engaging to the public nonetheless.  The format and the event's popularity has remained solid and has grown steadily over the years. One thing that has been incorporated in recent years is a shuttle service to get people around to some of the sites that are limited in parking due to their popularity."

With 14 in-person sites this year for Doors Open Quinte West, what are some of the new or less well known places you are most excited for people to discover?

This year we are excited to introduce five new sites to our Doors Open itinerary. Farmtown Park, H2O Getaways Boutique Houseboat Rentals, the Old Wooler Schoolhouse, Paulette Kinmond Art Gallery, and the Quinte Masonic Centre are all new this year. The majority of these sites are not regularly open to the public which makes Doors Open a great chance to see them.

Some sites, like the National Air Force Museum or the Quinte Museum of Natural History, are familiar favourites. What fresh experiences are you offering this year at those familiar spots?

Both of these sites are indeed familiar favourites, and with good reason. They both offer unique exhibits thoughtfully curated, with vibrant storytelling, giving visitors a glimpse into our past whether that be of the natural world such as ancient whales, or the fossils from the Fossilized Quinte exhibit at the Quinte Museum of Natural History (QMNH), or of air force history from expeditions to our most northern outpost in Alert, to search and rescue missions and more at the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC). This year in particular, the NAFMC worked on over four exhibits which if you have any knowledge of exhibit coordination is no minor feat. Their dedicated team has put together an array of permanent exhibits that are now on view for new and returning visitors to experience. Additionally, QMNH has been working on two new exhibits including Expedition Alert: Stories from the High Arctic and Roots of Resilience. Although not yet open, the museum will be able to provide details of what visitors can expect.

Which Quinte West sites do you think will offer the biggest surprise or behind the scenes moments for people who have attended before?

One of our new participating sites, the Old Wooler Schoolhouse is currently undergoing a massive restoration and renovation. The building will be adaptively reused, keeping the historic structure and features while upgrading its functionality to ensure that this space can be used and appreciated by all. Additionally, they just received their designation as a historic site. The hope is to create a community space that can be used for events, workshops, conferences, and more. This site is sure to draw interest, especially as in its most recent history it was the former Wooler Scout Hall with many local citizens having fond memories of attending this venue in their youth or even acting as scout leaders. It is wonderful to see the potential for what the restoration and renovation of this building will bring.

For families and younger visitors, are there interactive or hands-on features this year that they really should not miss?

Many of our sites are family friendly, however, sites of particular note are the Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area, Quinte West Gardens Growing Community, and the Quinte West Public Library Trenton Branch. Each of these sites are offering interactive, hands-on activities including a "Painting in Nature" activity at the Trenton Greenbelt, garden themed kids activities at the Quinte West Gardens, and interactive stations where you can make, build, and design at the Quinte West Public Library's makerspace.

Quinte West includes urban and natural history, science, galleries, and more. If someone only has a few hours, which cluster of sites would you recommend they pair together for a rich experience?

I would say that if you are someone who loves nature, the Trenton Greenbelt Conservation Area, Quinte West Gardens Growing Community, and Parks Canada Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site, Lock #1 — Trenton are excellent choices. These sites could also be paired with H2O Getaways Boutique Houseboat Rentals and the Quinte Museum of Natural History as one is located along the beautiful Trent Severn Waterway, while the other tells stories of the natural world and its history. If you prefer historic architecture, Lauzer House (formerly Dr. Farncomb's House), the Old Wooler Schoolhouse, and Trenton Town Hall 1861 would be great choices while for the history enthusiast any of the above sites along with Farmtown Park, the National Air Force Museum of Canada, and the Ontario Genealogical Society. Additional sites such as the Paulette Kinmond Art Gallery, the Quinte Masonic Centre, and the Quinte West Public Library are great sites to experience if you are looking for a sense of community as each space welcomes those who come together through art, creativity, learning, and social activities.

After spending a day exploring Quinte West for Doors Open, what local café, market, or restaurant would you point visitors to for a bite and a place to reflect on the day?

Depending on where your journey ends in Quinte West, there are many options available. The Front St. Farmer's Market (67 Front St, Trenton, ON K8V 4N4), in downtown Trenton is open from 9 am - 2 pm and offers a selection of local produce and artisan creations. The Old Bank Cafe (1 Mill St, Frankford, ON K0K 2C0), in downtown Frankford is open from 9 am - 5 pm on Saturdays and offers an amazing selection of baked goods, sandwiches, and coffees, and is located in a historic bank. It even has a seating area inside the vault! In addition to this, we have two relatively new cafes in downtown Trenton; Beats and Sweets Vinyl Cafe (56a Quinte St, Trenton, ON K8V 3S9) is open from 10 am - 5 pm and Kaleido Corner (6 Dundas St W, Trenton, ON K8V 3P1) is open from 8 am - 4 pm. Both of these offer homemade baked goods and a delightful array of beverages. If you are looking for dinner after your day of exploring, Tomasso's Italian Grille in downtown Trenton (35 Front St, Trenton, ON K8V 4N3), open until 9 pm is always a wonderful choice or if you are craving all you can eat sushi, Trenton Sushi (263 Dundas St E, Trenton, ON K8V 1M1), open until 10 pm is another great option. There are so many wonderful choices, it is difficult to list them all. If visitors are looking for their guide to where to eat in Quinte West, I highly encourage them to pick up a copy of the new Quinte West Discovery Guide at one of the participating Doors Open sites, or to view the guide online at quintewest.ca/discover.

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Whether you’re drawn to aviation history, fascinated by fossils, or simply curious to peek inside spaces not normally open to the public, Doors Open Quinte West offers something for everyone. With 14 diverse sites to explore, this event is a chance to experience the community’s heritage in a fun, interactive way. Mark your calendar for October 4, 2025 — a day of discovery awaits! If interested in berry or pumpkin picking after all the Doors Open fun, check out Teachers on Call’s previous Community Spotlight featuring Brambleberry Farm (9 Mitchell Rd, Quinte West, ON K0K 3M0,  Enter by Brambleberry Highway sign directly off County Road 5). No need to worry if you don’t live in Southeastern Ontario, there are other community events happening this weekend. Looking for more Doors Open Ontario events happening near you? Doors Open Woodstock in Southwestern Ontario is also taking place on October 4, 2025.