Doors Open Waterloo Region 2022

Doors Open Waterloo Region digital episodes can be watched anytime on The Region's YouTube Channel. All of the Doors Open Waterloo Region 2020 and 2021 episodes are already available for your viewing (or re-viewing) pleasure and the new episodes for 2022 will debut on September 3, September 10 and September 17. The 2022 digital Doors Open Waterloo Region line up is as follows:

Episode 1

Premieres: Sept. 3 at 10:00 am EST
Title: River Monsters of Waterloo Region
Link: YouTube Episode 1

Tales of two Nessie-like creatures surfaced in Waterloo Region 100 years apart. Sightings of the infamous ‘Nithy’ of the Nith River were reported in newspapers throughout Ontario in the 1950s. The lesser-known Doon Monster of the Grand River bubbled up a century before. Both of these river monsters generated a groundswell of interest that united and divided neighbours in a wave of debate about con vs. phenomenon.

Episode 2

Premieres: Sept. 3 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Death as Life's Work in Waterloo Region
Link: YouTube Episode 2

Author and historian Marion Roes has been surrounded by death her entire life. Her family founded Dreisinger Funeral Home in Elmira in 1904. Roes has written a 500-page book titled ‘Death As Life’s Work’ which lovingly and painstakingly documents an illustrated history of more than 120 undertakers and funeral businesses throughout Waterloo Region from 1850 through 2020.

Episode 3
Premieres: Sept. 10 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Top 10 List: Beauty & Ruin in Waterloo Region

On his Instagram account @beautyandruin, Cambridge photographer (and history buff) Michael Johnston showcases more than 1,000 images of heritage homes and stunning structures that illustrate the fascinating past, present and future of Waterloo Region. In this episode, Johnston shares a selection of his favourite images and the stories behind the structures.

Episode 4
Premieres: Sept.10 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Top10 List: Grace Schmidt Local History Room

If you attended high school in Waterloo Region, you might be mortified to learn that your highschool yearbook (and that hairdo) may be preserved as a historical resource in the Grace Schmidt Room at the Kitchener Public Library. Local yearbooks are one of 10 favourite items we explore with Manager Karen Ball-Pyatt from the Grace Schmidt Room’s vast collection which has been documenting the area's history and families since it opened in 1984.

Episode 5
Premieres: Sept. 17 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Crow Shield Lodge

This episode features a conversation with Clarence Cachagee, the visionary behind Crow Shield Lodge — a place for reconciliation, Indigenous land-based teaching and healing. Filmed at the Lodge’s peaceful and remote location near New Hamburg, Cachagee shares his vision for a thriving community which is founded on unity, equality, and understanding.

Episode 6
Premieres: Sept. 17 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Willowcreek Typewriters

Typewriters are enjoying a big revival and Waterloo resident Currie Russell is swept up in the nostalgia revolution. What began as a pandemic passion project has evolved into a thriving side-hustle for the Waterloo collector. Russell is one of a handful of people in Ontario currently equipped to buy, sell and repair these majestic machines, but he’s also part of a dynamic global community — a ‘typosphere’ — where enthusiasts exchange and savour snail mail and conduct weekly ‘type-ins’ to share knowledge, advice and love for these vintage marvels.

Episode 7
Premieres: Sept. 17 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery

Go behind the scenes at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in Waterloo. Step into the vault containing 1,000 contemporary works by Canadian artists in ceramics, glass, and copper enameling. Curator Peter Flannery selects six pieces from the Permanent Collection to explore in detail, providing illuminating commentary about the works’ materials, style, aesthetics and allure.

Episode 8
Premieres: Sept. 17 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Historic Blair Sheave Tower

Sheave Tower is a 19^th century marvel of ingenuity still standing proudly today. This Blair landmark is irresistible to painters, photographers, and history buffs – but its reason for being here speaks to our agricultural past and our ancestors’ innovations nearly 150 years ago. Neatly tucked away under a canopy of Carolinian forest and set within the boundaries of a provincially significant wetland, the 31-foot tower has been restored to its original bold oxblood colour. Built in 1876, it was a remarkable feat of engineering which harnessed waterpower, via pulley and cable, for the nearby gristmill. It was one of the world’s smallest hydro generating projects. Today, the Historic Blair Sheave Tower is Ontario’s last remaining wooden water-powered hydro generator tower.

Episode 9
Premieres: Sept. 17 at 10:00 am EST
Title: Galt Arena Gardens

Galt Arena Gardens is one of the oldest continuously operating arenas in the world. Originally built in 1921 and refurbished in 1997, it is an imposing structure, representative of the epic personal achievements and significant contributions to Canadian sport that have been achieved within its storied walls. It has been ‘home ice’ to some of the hockey greats. A celebration of its 100^th anniversary in June 2022 brought generations together to revel in its heritage as a landmark at the heart of a community.