Doors Open Ontario welcomes people from all walks of life to tour heritage sites across the province--to learn about our vital heritage, to discover significant built and natural landmarks and celebrate Ontario's heritage.

Like other sites in Ontario, Doors Open Chatham-Kent identifies sites of interest and significance and they open their doors to the public. These are properties that we value, sites that provide depth and quality to our streetscapes and landscapes.

More people each year discover this heritage touring program. Residents and visitors alike explore new sites, hear local stories, view collections and experience a history they often never knew before. For many of these new explorers, the experience has led to a new interest and involvement in their community's heritage.

The Ontario Heritage Trust, the province's lead heritage agency conducted a study during Doors Open Ontario 2007 and learned the following about the event:

► 44 events were held in 226 separate communities

► 1,184 sites opened their doors--406 of these were not normally open to the public

► 7,547 volunteers contributed 71,483 hours to the planning and operation of these events

► 436,302 site visits were made

► The average visitor saw five sites.

► More than half of these visitors had never attended a Doors Open Ontario event before

► 38% of all visitors came from out of town

► The average out of town visitor spent $65 during the visit--injecting over $2 million into local economies.

Doors Open C-K began in 2006 and has hosted 53 different sites throughout the municipality in those four years. Each year sites are repeated to allow visitors to see sites they missed previously and new sites are added to create a mix with wide appeal.

Local brochures are available at all sites starting in mid-April. You can start your tour anywhere from any point in the municipality. Select the sites that interest you most and plan on visiting no more than five to eight sites. Check the website to see if any special event or exhibit will be held at the sites you're interested in so that you don't miss out.

The committee is extremely grateful to the site owners and volunteers at each site who open their buildings free of charge for the benefit of the community. Without them, there would be no Doors Open tour.

Doors Open C-K is financially supported by the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, the Community Partnership Fund, The Historic Downtown Chatham BIA and the Municipal Heritage Committee with the Kent Historical Society acting as the lead sponsor.