What is Doors Open? It is a province-wide celebration of community heritage. Designed to create access, awareness and excitement about our heritage, Doors Open provides residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy sometimes hidden and always interesting places and spaces in Ontario cities, towns and villages----and all free of charge! As Richard Moorhouse, the Executive Director of the Ontario Heritage Foundation – the province’s lead heritage agency—has stated,
“Communities across Ontario are taking a fresh look at their heritage—at  what  makes their village, town, city or region different from the next. They are examining their architecture, streetscapes, landscapes and gardens and celebrating these with neighbours and visitors through Doors Open Ontario events that ultimately contribute to

their community’s development.”

The first Doors Open Day (La Journee Portes Ouvertes) took place in France in 1984. Successful Doors Open events have charmed crowds in Britain, Europe and Toronto over many years. Toronto has held an annual Doors Open event since 2000, and was the first North American city to launch Doors Open.

In 2002, its first year, Doors Open Ontario had over 40 communities participate in 17 events, attracting over 300,000 visitors to heritage sites. In 2003, more than 130 communities involved in 27 Doors Open events opened hundreds of sites to the public. Over 400,000 visitors took part. The nearby communities of Windsor, Amherstburg and London have all hosted Doors Open events in recent years.

Doors Open Chatham-Kent is funded by an Ontario Trillium Grant and a Community Partnership Fund grant from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

The lead sponsor of the event is the Kent Historical Society with contributions from the Doors Open Chatham-Kent Steering Committee and the Municipal Heritage Committee.

The inaugural Doors Open Chatham-Kent  took place Saturday, May 13th, 2006 from 10-4 at seventeen sites throughout Chatham-Kent.

The 2007 event took place May 12, 2007 and this year's Doors Open happens Saturday, May 10th from 10 am to 4 pm.