Celebrate 175 Years of History During Doors Open Lambton County 2024

After a five-year hiatus since their last event, Doors Open Lambton County is ready to return on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10 AM to 4 PM! We love Doors Open events, because they offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore some of the most fascinating and historically significant sites our province has to offer. This one is especially exciting for Lambton County, as they will be expecting hundreds of people to come celebrate their 175th anniversary! We’ve also had the chance to interview the event hosts to get the inside scoop. Keep reading for all the details you won’t want to miss!

Doors Open Lambton County is part of the broader, provincewide Ontario Heritage Trust program, which celebrates and promotes the preservation of Ontario's rich cultural heritage. To give you the inside scoop and ensure an enriching experience, Teachers on Call’s online and in-person tutoring team connected with Jessica Stevenson, Marketing and Events Coordinator for Lambton County Museums and Archives, to share a local’s perspective on the must-see highlights of the event.

How to Plan for Doors Open Lambton County 2024

Doors Open’s 2024 theme “Adaptive Reuse” focuses on how their historical buildings have been repurposed, preserving their history at the same time as giving them new life. With guided tours, interactive exhibits, and behind-the-scenes access, visitors can immerse themselves in the stories behind each location. Remember, Doors Open Lambton County 2024 is just being held on Saturday, September 28, 2024. With so many sites available to visit in so many different communities, you’ll want to make sure you choose which sites you intend to visit in advance so that you can map out your route.

For parents with smaller children, you may find it difficult to visit more than three or four locations in the day, especially once you add in breaks for lunch and refreshment! To help you choose, you can find out more about the various locations at lambtonmuseums.ca. 

Participating Sites for Doors Open Lambton County 2024

Lambton County, located in Southwestern Ontario, is home to several vibrant towns and communities across 11 municipalities including Sarnia, Petrolia, and Forest. It’s also located close by  to London, and within an easy 90 minute drive of other major areas such as Hamilton, Guelph, and Mississauga.

This year’s Doors Open Lambton County has 33 amazing locations and heritage sites to explore across all of their municipalities. We’ve taken the liberty of breaking them down by town destination!

Enniskillen

• Lloyd Collection - 3537 Forest Road, Enniskillen, ON, N0N 1R0
• Shiloh United Church - 3403 Wanstead Road, Enniskillen, ON, N0N 1T0

Forest

• Forest Carnegie Library Event Centre - 12 Main Street North, Forest, ON, N0N 1J0
• Forest Kiwanis Kineto Theatre - 24 King Street West, Forest, ON, N0N 1J0
• Forest Museum - 8 Main Street North, Forest, ON, N0N 1J0
• Forest Kineto Theatre - 24 King Street West, Forest, ON, N0N 1J0

Petrolia

• Corey Room at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital - 447 Greenfield Street, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• McCort House - 384 Garfield Avenue, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• Nemo Hall - 419 King Street, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• Petrolia Discovery - 4281 Discovery Line, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• Petrolia Library - 4200 Petrolia Line, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• Olde Post Office - 4189 Petrolia Line, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• Petrolia Discovery Museum - 4281 Discovery Line, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0
• McCort House - 384 Garfield Avenue, Petrolia, ON, N0N 1R0

Sarnia

• Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery - 147 Lochiel Street, Sarnia, ON, N7T 4C1
• Lakeview Cemetery Burial and Cremation Services  - 1016 Colborne Road, Sarnia, ON, N7V 3K7
• Sarnia Library - 124 Christina Street South, Sarnia, ON, N7T 8E1
• The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery - 147 Lochiel Street, Sarnia, ON, N7T 4C1
• Lakeview Cemetery - 1016 Colborne Road, Sarnia, ON, N7V 3K7

Solo Stops Elsewhere In Lambton County

• Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre - 8680 Rock Glen Road, Arkona, ON, N0M 1B0
• Bright's Grove Library - 2618 Hamilton Road, Bright's Grove, ON, N0N 1C0
• Lambton Heritage Museum - 10035 Museum Road, Grand Bend, ON, N0M 1T0
• Inwood United Church - 3211 Inwood Road, Inwood, ON, N0N 1T0
• Forest Glen Herb Farm - 8333 Glendale Drive, Lambton Shores, ON, N0N 1J7
• Moore Museum - 94 Moore Line, Mooretown, ON, N0N 1M0
• Oil Museum of Canada National Historic Site - 2423 Kelly Road, Oil Springs, ON, N0N 1P0
• Point Edward Library - 220 Michigan Avenue, Point Edward, ON, N7V 1E9
• Bury House (Sombra Museum and Cultural Centre) - 3470 St. Clair Parkway, Sombra, ON, N0P 2H0
• Old Firehall Museum - 515 ON Street, Watford, ON, N0M 2S0
• Lambton County Archives - 787 Broadway Street, Wyoming, ON, N0N 1T0
  
  

An Interview with the Organizers Behind Doors Open Lambton County

Check out our interview with Jessica Stevenson, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Lambton County Museums and Archives, for more details about what is happening on Saturday, September 28, 2024!

What can visitors look forward to experiencing during Doors Open Lambton County as part of its 175th anniversary celebrations?

We’re thrilled to bring Doors Open Lambton County back in celebration of Lambton County’s 175th anniversary. This is a chance to discover the rich heritage of our county while gaining new perspectives on the history that has shaped our community over the past 175 years. 

We have participating historical sites, cultural institutions, and natural heritage locations across Lambton’s 11 municipalities. Step into history and celebrate Lambton County with us!

What are some of the must-see historical sites that will be open to the public this year?

With 33 sites to choose from, there’s something for everyone during Doors Open! This year, we’re excited to showcase a variety of celebrated landmarks including private residences, cultural institutions, and conservation areas. 

Step inside a historic home with a tour through Nemo Hall in Petrolia, or Walnut Acres Farmhouse in Watford. Deep dive into Lambton’s history with this chance to visit several museums for free, including Forest Museum, Moore Museum, or the Bury House at the Sombra Museum & Cultural Centre. Go further and take a behind-the-scenes tour of Lambton County Archives, the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, or Lambton Heritage Museum. For an exciting and unique experience, visit niche industry sites like the working oil field at the Petrolia Discovery, or the dam at the W. Darcy McKeough Dam and Floodway. Nature lovers can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Sydenham River Nature Reserve or the peaceful atmosphere of Lakeview Cemetery. 

See a full list of participating sites at doorsopenlambtoncounty.ca!

For visitors unfamiliar with the area, how would you describe the geography of Lambton County, and how does it influence the historical and cultural significance of the region?

Lambton County is home to vibrant communities, natural beauty, and thriving industries. Bordered by Lake Huron to the north and the St. Clair River to the west, our waterways provide our residents with access to transportation, recreation, and commerce through boating, fishing, beaches, and more. Inside Lambton County, agricultural heritage runs deep, with several farms reaching back generations. The petrochemical industry in Canada was born in Lambton County, with the first commercial oil well in North America located in Oil Springs. As a direct result, the oil industry played a key role in Lambton County’s development. These components of Lambton’s identity are represented across the sites participating in this year’s Doors Open.

Do you have any educational sites that are particularly relevant during the back-to-school season for elementary and secondary students?

Students will love getting up close and personal with different industries and time periods at many of our participating sites. Explore history via immersive tours, hands-on activities, and knowledgeable experts.

For those enjoying the back-to-school season, Moore Museum, Lambton Heritage Museum, and Thorneyhurst School House, privately owned in the Township of St. Clair, feature historic schoolhouses that offer a glimpse into Lambton’s local educational history and the evolution of teaching over time.

What are some upcoming community events in Lambton County that visitors can look forward to after Doors Open?

There’s always something exciting happening in Lambton County! Coming up in October, join us in celebrating Local Government Week (October 13-20) with story times with Councillors at Lambton County Library – check out the schedule at lclibrary.ca. 

Start your holiday shopping early at the Lambton Fall Colour & Craft Festival at Lambton Heritage Museum on October 19 and 20. With over 65 vendors selling a variety of handmade items, this festival is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. For a dash of spooky fun, the Oil Museum of Canada is hosting “Cackling Cauldrons” a trick-or-treat event with lighthearted fun for all ages on Saturday, October 26.

What local restaurants or coffee shops do you recommend for visitors looking to take a snack or lunch break during the event?

Lambton County offers many great places to grab a bite to eat. Whether it’s a quick snack break or a sit-down meal with the whole family, there are plenty of options to choose from across the county. Keep your eyes peeled for cafes, diner-style restaurants, elegant fine dining, or food trucks; each offers its own unique atmosphere and menu.

What is your favourite tip to share with visitors to make the most of their experience at Doors Open Lambton County?

With 33 sites spread across Lambton County, there’s lots to explore! We encourage visitors to visit our website, to see all the participating locations and start planning. You might want to highlight a few must-see attractions ahead of time or focus on specific geographic areas that interest you most. Whether you’re following a detailed itinerary or taking a more spontaneous approach, there are countless ways to experience Doors Open. This event is all about discovering Lambton County’s unique history, and we’re excited for visitors to make it their own!

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Whether you're interested in exploring the Arkona Lions Museum, a treasure trove of Indigenous history and fossils, or walking through the Victorian halls of McCort House, this Doors Open offers something for everyone. Admission is free to most sites, and this is an incredible educational opportunity to experience Lambton County’s past and present. 

Bring the family and discover what Lambton County has to celebrate for their 175th anniversary!