Heritage Winnipeg is proud to present our 21st annual Doors Open Winnipeg, celebrating Winnipeg’s 150th anniversary through its built heritage treasures, cultural institutions and historic streetscapes. Come explore Winnipeg’s past through open buildings, fun events and exclusive tours on May 25th and 26th, 2024. Volunteers will answer questions while guided tours will maximize the immersive experience. Participating in Doors Open Winnipeg is not just about exploring our city’s rich history and culture; it’s also about connecting with our community and supporting the conservation of our heritage. Fascinating history and breathtaking architecture are yours to discover for one weekend a year, completely free! Be sure to visit the Doors Open Winnipeg website for everything you need to plan a fantastic weekend adventure in heritage and join us in celebrating the stories our buildings tell!

Doors Open Winnipeg is a celebration and showcase of Winnipeg’s built heritage. Why is built heritage important? It creates a sense of place that makes us feel like we belong, provides diverse and affordable spaces, fosters vibrant and walkable neighbourhoods, supports environmental sustainability, and provides a tangible connection to our past. We tend to pass by heritage buildings every day without a second thought, for after having stood for so many years (sometimes over 100!), one cannot imagine they will ever disappear. But without ongoing maintenance and solid legal protection, our heritage buildings are at risk of turning to dust and taking all their positive community contributions with them.

Doors Open Winnipeg lets you see the buildings behind the facades, meet the people who work and play in them, learn about their history, and be inspired to support the heritage movement. Did you love touring a quaint museum during Doors Open? Consider going back and taking the full tour another day. Were you captivated by the Vaughan Street Jail and believe it’s worth saving? Donate to the group advocating for its protection. Did you enjoy seeing your neighbourhood in a new light during a walking tour? Gather your friends and explore other tours the organization offers, or step up and support the creation of Heritage Conservation Districts in Winnipeg. Buy some merchandise, take out a membership, spread the word and more. Let Doors Open Winnipeg be the start of your exciting journey with Winnipeg’s built heritage!

In our 21st year of Doors Open Winnipeg, we are thrilled to have new participants join us, keeping our lineup exciting for even the most seasoned attendees. This year is incredibly unique as we celebrate Winnipeg’s 150 years of existence, allowing us to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. Be sure to attend the “Meet Me in Winnipeg: 150 Years of Coming Together” event to celebrate this milestone! In addition, there are many new participants this year, all of which are very diverse – from the “Legion House Museum (The Museum of the Military History Society of Manitoba)” to “Foundation to Frame: Alex Pollock Walking Tour,” you will not want to miss these events! Have an interest in aviation? Be sure to check out the “Winnipeg Aviation Heritage Virtual Tour Launch” and the outdoor event “High-Flying Fun with the Winnipeg Radio Control Club.” Check out all the events new to Doors Open Winnipeg 2024:

Foundation to Frame: The Alex Pollock Walking Tour

High-Flying Fun with the Winnipeg Radio Control Club

Some of our tours have limited spaces, so online registration is required before attending to give you the best experience possible. Online registration opens Saturday, May 18th at noon, with links being put in the individual profile of each event requiring registration on the Doors Open Winnipeg website. Popular tours fill up fast, so register early to get a spot. And if registration is full before you get there, do not worry. There are plenty of other amazing events for you to check out – no registration required. Just check the day and time they are open, show up and enjoy! The events that require online registration so far are:

Historic Downtown Transcona

Heritage Winnipeg is also excited about our 14th Annual People’s Choice Awards! Show your favourite building, tour or event some love by voting for them. There are three categories to vote in: Best Architecture, Best Tour, and Best Overall Experience. Winners are always thrilled to be honoured by these awards, so do not let all the hardworking volunteers down! Voting Opens Saturday, May 25th, at 9:00 am and closes Friday, May 31st, at 11:59 pm. Visit the Doors Open Winnipeg website for details and to cast your vote.

While you are exploring participating Doors Open Winnipeg buildings, keep an eye out for our friend, the Golden Boy. Once you find him, snap a picture! After you have discovered him at three different buildings, post the images to social media with the hashtag #DoorsOpenWinnipeg or email the pictures to info@heritagewinnipeg.com to be entered to win a fun prize! The contest opens Saturday, May 25th, at 9:00 am and closes Friday, May 31st, at 11:59 pm. For details on the scavenger hunt contest, visit the Doors Open Winnipeg website.

Returning once again is the Doors Open Winnipeg Social Media Contest. Tell us why you love Doors Open Winnipeg for your chance to win a Heritage Winnipeg prize pack! Post a selfie while having a blast at Doors Open Winnipeg 2024 to social media with the finished caption “I love #DoorsOpenWinnipeg because…” and don’t forget to tag @heritagewpg! The contest opens on Saturday, May 25th, at 9:00 am and closes on Friday, May 31st, at 11:59 pm. For full contest details, please visit the Doors Open Winnipeg website and check out the past winning entries!

Heritage Winnipeg would like to thank all our sponsors, especially our marble sponsors, who help make Doors Open Winnipeg possible. Our marble sponsors this year include the Department of Canadian Heritage, Winnipeg Free Press, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, and the City of Winnipeg. Heritage Winnipeg would also like to thank our volunteers for their effort and hard work in making this event successful annually. The continued support from sponsors and volunteers is invaluable to Winnipeg’s built heritage community. Be sure to thank all the hard-working volunteers when you see them on Doors Open Winnipeg weekend!

We are excited to celebrate and explore our city’s beautiful built heritage with you all this spring! Head over to the Doors Open Winnipeg website for a complete list of the participating buildings and tours, and start making your plans for a weekend filled with history, architecture, and fun! See you Saturday, May 25th, and Sunday, May 26th!