Perth Museum

Perth Museum has been preserving and sharing our community’s history for more than a century.

Founded in 1925 by local historian Archibald Campbell, the Museum was originally housed in the Perth Carnegie Library. As the collection grew, so did the need for a permanent home.

In 1967, the Town of Perth purchased Matheson House and relocated the Museum there. Built in 1840 for Roderick Matheson, a prominent local merchant and politician, the historic stone home is now a National Historic Site.

Today, visitors can explore restored period rooms, exhibits, artifacts, and stories spanning generations of life in Perth. In 2025, Perth Museum marked its 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of collecting, preserving, and sharing our community’s history.

The Perth Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note: Holiday hours may differ. Check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

No appointment is required. You're welcome to drop in during regular Museum hours and explore at your own pace.

If you're visiting with a group of 10 or more, please contact us in advance so we can help plan your visit.

Admission is by donation, and the amount is up to you! Your generous contributions help us maintain our collections, support exhibitions and programming, and keep the historic Matheson House in great condition. We accept cash, debit, credit, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also book a self-guided tour for up to five people in advance to secure your spot.

Please note that group tours and special programs may have a fee.

We can also help you plan the rest of your trip in Perth! Whether you’d like a guided tour around town, recommendations for restaurants and activities, or even a special greeting from the Perth Town Crier, we’ve got you covered.

Perth Museum is located in the historic Matheson House, a split-level heritage building. While some areas are not accessible due to the building's historic layout, many exhibits and visitor amenities can be enjoyed without using stairs.

Visitors can enter through the white Visitor Information Centre door using the exterior courtyard ramp. Inside, an accessible ramp provides access to the 1840s kitchen, 1840s dining room, and 1890s parlour, as well as the Visitor Information Centre and accessible washroom.

On the accessible level, visitors can also explore several exhibits, including the Mammoth Cheese display from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the Last Fatal Duel exhibit, featuring the original duelling pistols from the 1833 duel.

Automatic door operators are available at the Visitor Information Centre entrance and accessible washroom. We are also working to update exhibit labels to use a minimum 18-point font to improve readability.

Please note that the second-floor drawing room and third-floor gallery are not accessible to visitors with mobility limitations. Many artifacts from our collection can also be explored through our evolving museum collection portal.

If you have questions about accessibility or would like to discuss your visit, please contact us at 613-267-1947. We're happy to help you plan your visit.

Yes! Perth Museum welcomes visitors of all ages. Young visitors can enjoy a children's self-guided tour, search for hidden mice throughout the Museum, and explore the Heritage Maker Space and play area.

As a historic house museum, some artifacts and furnishings are within reach, so children should be supervised during their visit.

An accessible washroom with a change table is available. Strollers are welcome through the accessible courtyard entrance and can be used in the Visitor Information Centre, 1840s kitchen, dining room, and parlour. If you'd like to explore the upper floors, strollers can be left at the back of the Visitor Information Centre.

Yes! Perth Museum offers group tours and programs for schools, seniors' groups, clubs, tour operators, and other organizations.

Fees vary depending on the type of activity and group size. Contact us by email or call 613-267-1947 with your preferred date, group size, and interests, and we'll help plan your visit.

Planning more than a Museum visit? We can also help with local recommendations, guided tours, and even a special greeting from the Perth Town Crier.

Yes! Perth Museum has indoor and outdoor spaces available for small weddings, baby showers, staff gatherings, receptions, meetings, and other special events.

Fees are set annually by Perth Town Council and vary depending on the spaces required, the size of your group, and your event needs.

Contact us by email or call 613-267-1947 to discuss availability and your plans.

Public parking is available in the municipal parking lot behind Perth Museum. The lot is accessed from Herriott Street, between Gore Street East and Drummond Street East, across from the Perth & District Union Public Library.

Parking is $1.50 per hour on weekdays. You'll also find free two-hour street parking throughout downtown Perth.

Planning to shop, dine, or explore downtown while you're here? The municipal lot is a good option for a longer visit.

For more information, visit our Parking page.

Perth Museum offers a variety of amenities and services to help make your visit comfortable and enjoyable, including:

• Visitor Information Centre with gift shop, maps, brochures, hiking guides, and local information
• Heritage Maker Space for hands-on creativity and family-friendly activities
• Accessible, gender-neutral public washroom with a change table
• Water fountain and bottle refill station
• Bicycle repair station with basic tools
• Outdoor seating and picnic area
• Historic stone bake oven
• Self-guided and guided Museum tours (guided tours available by arrangement)
• Research archives (available by appointment)

Whether you're exploring Perth's history, planning your stay, or looking for local recommendations, our staff are happy to help.

Thank you for considering a donation to Perth Museum. Artifact donations help us preserve and share the history of Perth and the surrounding area.

If you have an object you would like to donate, please contact us by email and include:

• A photograph of the object
• A brief history of the item, including who owned it, where it came from, how it was used, and anything else you know about its history or significance

Museum staff will review the proposed donation to determine whether it fits our collecting mandate and Collections Policy, complements the existing collection, and can be appropriately cared for and preserved.

If your donation is accepted, we'll ask you to complete a Deed of Gift, which legally transfers ownership of the object to Perth Museum. We do not accept long-term loans, and donated objects cannot be returned once the transfer is complete.

Not every artifact will be placed on display, but accepted items become part of the Museum's permanent collection and are preserved for future research, exhibitions, education, and learning.

Financial contributions help Perth Museum care for its collection, preserve the historic Matheson House, create exhibitions, and deliver programs for the community.

You can make a donation:

• In person - Visit Perth Museum during regular hours to donate by cash, cheque, debit, or credit card.
• Online - Make a secure donation through our online donation page.
• By phone - Call Perth Town Hall at 613-267-3311 to donate by credit card.
• By mail - Send a cheque payable to The Corporation of the Town of Perth to:

Perth Museum
11 Gore Street East
Perth, ON K7H 1H4

Perth Museum is operated by The Corporation of the Town of Perth, a qualified donee under the Income Tax Act. The Town can issue charitable tax receipts for eligible donations of $25 or more upon request. If you would like a tax receipt, please let us know when making your donation so we can collect the required information.

Every contribution helps preserve Perth's history and share it with future generations.

Volunteers play an important role in helping Perth Museum preserve and share our community's history and create welcoming experiences for visitors.

Opportunities may include helping with special events, group tours, collections projects, and other Museum activities, depending on current needs and your interests.

Interested in getting involved? Contact us and tell us a little about yourself, your interests, and your availability. We'll let you know about current opportunities and how to apply.

Perth Museum does not hold birth, marriage, or death records that are available for public research.

For historical Ontario records, visit the Archives of Ontario. More recent birth, marriage, and death certificates and records are available through the Office of the Registrar General.

Ontario land registry records are available online through OnLand, where you can search property records, historical books, documents, and land ownership information. 

Researching a heritage property in Perth? Visit our Heritage page to learn more about Perth's built heritage, designated properties, and other local heritage resources.

Looking for more information about Perth and Lanark County history? These organizations and online resources may be able to help:

• Archives Lanark - historical records and archival materials related to Lanark County
• Lanark County Genealogical Society - genealogy resources and information about families with connections to Lanark County
• Perth & District Historical Society - resources and information related to Perth's history
• Perth & District Union Library - online historical and genealogy resources, including digitized Perth Courier archives, Our Ontario, and FamilySearch
• RootsWeb - Explore free genealogy resources, including family histories, records, and research tools to help trace your family history.
  

Perth has several cemeteries that may be of interest to genealogical and historical researchers:

• Elmwood Cemetary - Established in 1872 and the only operating public cemetary within the Town of Perth. Located at 165 Dufferin Road.
• Old Burying Ground (Last Duel Cemetery) - Operated from 1821 to 1972. Located near Last Duel Park.
• Old Methodist Cemetery - Located at the end of Robinson Street near Last Duel Park and no longer in operation.

For historical and genealogical research, there are also several cemeteries in neighbouring municipalities:

• Scotch Line Cemetery – For more information, call 613-264-2697.
• St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery – Located in Stanleyville. For more information, call 613-267-1662.
• St. John’s Parish Cemetery – Located just outside Perth in Drummond/North Elmsley Township. For more information, call 613-264-2929.
• St. Stephen’s Anglican Cemetery – Located in Brooke (Maberly). For more information, call 613-267-7615.

For cemetery records or information about burials, contact the appropriate cemetery operator or historical organization.

Located on the second floor of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244, the Hall of Remembrance Military Museum preserves and shares thousands of military artifacts from the Boer War, First and Second World Wars, Korean War, Afghanistan, Canadian peacekeeping missions, and other military service.

Highlights include three large stained-glass windows depicting branches of the Canadian Armed Forces and a collection recognizing Canadian Victoria Cross recipients. The Hall also includes a library and resource centre for those interested in military history and research.

Admission is free. The Museum is accessible by stairs and chair lift. To arrange a tour, call 613-267-4400 or visit the Hall of Remembrance website.

Perth Museum is home to an extensive geology collection reflecting the unique geological history of Perth and Lanark County. Visit our Geology page to learn more and download the free Perth GeoHistory booklet.