Doon Heritage Village, Kitchener

Doon Heritage Village is laid out like a small farming community, with open fields, footpaths, and historic buildings grouped naturally rather than arranged like a modern town. The village is set in the year 1914 and focuses on how ordinary people lived, worked, and learned at the start of the 20th century, just before the First World War brought major social and economic change.

The site includes more than 22 historic buildings across about 60 acres, including homes, barns, a schoolhouse, small shops, and work spaces. Built in the 1800s and early 1900s, the buildings were moved here from the surrounding region and furnished with everyday objects from the period. The reimagining project also adds local Indigenous history and environmental themes that were limited before.

The village is currently closed to the public due to a $1.5 million infrastructure project aimed at long-term sustainability and improved accessibility. Upgrades will support future year-round use. A soft opening is planned for June 1, 2026, with a full reopening on July 1, 2026. During the closure, the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum remains open year-round, and some village buildings are used for pre-booked programs and rentals.