Doon Heritage Village

The Doon Heritage Village is a living history museum in Kitchener with 22 buildings spread across 60 acres, showing rural life in Ontario during 1914. The houses, workshops, and farms display the daily work of farming, crafts, and household activities from that era.

The site was established in 1957 as Doon Pioneer Village through the efforts of Dr. A.E. Broome, who sought to preserve rural heritage during Ontario's rapid urbanization. The project began as a response to the disappearance of traditional ways of life across the region.

The Peter Martin House from 1820 shows how Pennsylvania Mennonites shaped agricultural practices in Waterloo County, and visitors can observe their farming traditions reflected in the gardens and fields throughout the site. These traditional methods remain visible in how the land is worked today.

The museum is currently undergoing infrastructure updates to water, electricity, and communication systems, with reopening planned for 2025. Visitors should check ahead to learn which areas are already open and what is still under construction.

The Petersburg Railway Station from 1856 preserves the original Grand Trunk Railway architecture and shows how rail connections linked rural communities to major cities. The station reveals how important railways were for the region's economic growth and connections.