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Leaf collection begins Monday, Nov. 18 at 7 a.m. Place leaves in paper bags - plastic will not be picked up - and set all leaves curbside by Monday morning (bags will be picked up throughout the week).
Leave the 21st century behind as you enter the world of the 1840s at the elegant Matheson House, home of the award-winning Perth Museum. This popular tourist attraction, located downtown at 11 Gore Street East, is a National Historic Site.
The stone dwelling was built in 1840 for the Honourable Roderick Matheson, wealthy merchant and a senator in Canada's first parliament after Confederation. The four period rooms - parlour, dining room, drawing room and a warm and welcoming kitchen - have been carefully restored and furnished to reflect the lifestyle of the Matheson family who owned the house for 90 years.
Perth Museum's virtual exhibitions portal provides a glimpse into to its collections database. This initiative allows the public access to historical artefacts housed within the museum's holdings, as curated by the Museum's team.
You'll find records related to various exhibition themes, including the Mammoth Cheese; the Last Fatal Duel of Upper Canada; the Henry K. Wampole collection; the Matheson Family; and, the house itself. More records will be added throughout the year, so please check back often.
Yes.
ANISHINABE AKING ATE AWASO KIKINA WADJICHIGAN
We hereby acknowledge that Lanark County is situated on unceded traditional Omàmìwininì (Algonquin) territory and with this acknowledgement comes respect for the land, people and the unique history of the territory.
Lanark County Neighbours for Truth & Reconciliation
You can also learn the area's shared history by visiting the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, the Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquin First Nation, and the Algonquins of Ontario websites.
Want a full history lesson on the Perth Military Settlement? Then check out the Perth and District Historical Society's website. You can also learn the area's shared history by visiting the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, the Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquin First Nation, and the Algonquins of Ontario websites.
Better yet, get an in-person experience by visiting Perth Museum at 11 Gore St!
Archibald Campbell was a local geologist and mineral collector who believed Perth deserved a museum. Beginning with his own collection of minerals and rocks, he opened what became Perth Museum in 1925.
Originally located on the top floor of the Carnegie Library (now known as the McMillan Building at 77 Gore ST E), the Museum is now located in the Matheson House.
Matheson House was slated for demolition –there was a wrecking ball on the property– when the Town of Perth purchased the home and moved the Museum here as a Centennial project in 1967.
An addition (The Inderwick Wing) was added to the back of the building in 1985-86, and shortly afterward, the Museum was renovated to restore or replicate heritage features from the 1840-1890 time period.
The Matheson House was home to Roderick Matheson and his family, including his first wife, Mary Fraser Robertson (who died shortly after giving birth to twin sons in the previous house at this location) and his second wife, Annabella Russell, with whom he had 4 sons and 7 daughters.
Roderick was born in Scotland in 1793. He immigrated here in 1806 and served with the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles during the War of 1812-1814. After the War he received several Crown Land Grants, including here in the new military settlement of Perth
Roderick was involved in many business ventures, including distilleries, banks, mining operations, land speculation, retail, and the construction of the Tay Canal. He was a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Legislative Council of Upper Canada, and a Senator in Canada’s first Parliament under Sir John A. MacDonald.
The building is a split-level. There is a ramp from the courtyard to the white Visitor Information Centre door, and there is an interior ramp, so visitors can see the 1840s kitchen, the 1840s dining room and the 1890s parlour without crossing any stairs. You can also visit the Visitor Information Centre and the washrooms on the same level.
In addition to the rooms on the main level, we have two main accessible displays within the Visitor Information Centre including the Mammoth Cheese display from the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and the dueling pistols used in the Last Fatal Duel in 1833.
There are accessibility buttons on the white Visitor Information Centre door and on the accessible washroom door.
We are working to update all exhibit labels with size 18 font or larger.
The third floor gallery and the drawing room (second floor) are not accessible to those with mobility issues.
We have created an online portal showcasing many of our artefacts in our museum. It may be viewed by visiting PERTH.ca/MuseumCollection. It is designed to evolve and expand over time. Museum staff are committed to regularly updating the database with new additions, ensuring that users can continually discover and engage with fresh content.
Please call us at 613-267-1947 with any questions or concerns.
Do I need an appointment to visit, or can I just show up?
The Museum is open from 10-5, Wednesday to Sunday. During those hours, you can just show up! If you are bringing a large group (10 or more people) we do ask for a heads up so we can be sure we can accommodate you. See below for information about booking larger group tours.
There is no set fee: admission is simply by donation. The amount is up to you! We use your donations to manage the collections, to support exhibitions and programming, to support building maintenance, and more! We accept cash, debit, credit, and even Apple and Google Pay methods.
We do charge for tour groups and programs. For details, get in touch!
Perth Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10-5.
There are breakable items within reach of children, however, we do strive to make the space engaging for children, too. There is a self-guided tour designed just for kids, there are stuffed mice hidden in the display for children to find, and we occasionally have craft kits available for special occasions.
The Museum has an accessible washroom with a change table, and you can bring your stroller in from the courtyard ramp. Strollers can be brought into the Visitor Information Centre, the 1840s kitchen, the 1840s dining room and the 1890s parlour. You are welcome to leave your stroller at the back of the Visitor Information Centre to see the upper floors, as long as we are not too busy.
Where are you located and which entrance do I use?
Perth Museum is located inside the Matheson house, a National Historic Site, at 11 Gore ST E (near Foster ST beside the Shaw's building). Please use the white door from the courtyard, which is accessed through the gate next to the flag pole between the Museum and the Shaw's building.
The front door to the Museum was used until a a few years ago, but the door and hardware are original and it has become difficult to open and close.
There is a door from the parking lot that remains locked. We use this as an exit when the building is busy, and it is an alternative accessible entrance (just ring the doorbell).
Do you offer programming for schools and retirement homes?
Yes! We can come to you, or you can come to us. We have a number of programs to choose from, and we're open to developing more. Please contact us and we'll set something up.
I'd like to book a tour for a group. What do I do, and how much does it cost?
Fees are set annually by Perth Town Council and depend on the size of your group. Please contact us and we'll sort out the details with you. We can also help you with the rest of your trip to Perth, including a guided tour around town, restaurant and activity recommendations, even a tour or greeting from the Perth Town Crier.
Can I get married or hold an event in the Museum gardens or inside?
Yes! People have held small weddings, baby showers and other events indoors and out at the Museum. Fees are set annually by Perth Town Council and depend your needs and on the size of your group. Please contact us and we'll sort out the details with you.
Yes! You can visit the gift shop in person during the Museum's operating hours. We have a vast book selection from local authors and about local history, clothing and accessories, postcards, vintage maps of Perth, candles, magnets, puzzles, teddy bears, maple syrup, water bottles, mugs, and branded Perth merchandise! We also carry numerous consignment items from local Perth artists and shops.
There is a parking lot right behind the Museum, which costs $1/hour. You can get into the parking lot from Herriott ST, between Gore ST E and Drummond ST E (opposite the Library parking lot). There is also free two-hour street parking downtown, but we know you'll want to make a day of it, so we recommend the lot! For further details and additional options, visit the Parking page.
What other services and amenities are onsite?
If you have a family heirloom or other object you are considering donating, please take a few minutes to write down the history of that object, who owned it, where it came from, what it was used for, and any other information you have, then email that information and a photograph of the object to us. We will review it as a team to determine:
If the Museum's team decides we can take this on as a donation, the next step would be get paperwork signed transferring ownership of the object over the to the Museum. Please note: we do not accept long-term loans, and we cannot return objects that have been donated by law.
Once the paperwork is signed and the object is at the Museum, we get to work accessioning and cataloguing it so it is in our database and identifiable. It may or may not end up on display. It will be our responsibility to ensure the item is cared for so future generations can enjoy it.
I'd like to make a financial contribution to the Museum. How do I do that?
You can make a donation in person (cash, cheque or credit card). If you would like a charitable receipt for tax purposes please speak with a staff member so your information is recorded.
You can also call Town Hall at 613-267-3311 and ask to make a donation to Perth Museum using your credit card over the phone, or you can mail a cheque to use at:
Perth Museum
11 Gore ST E
Perth ON K7H 1H4
Thank you for considering Perth Museum for your donation!
Do you offer Charitable Receipts for tax purposes?
Yes, we are not a Registered Charity but as a Town of Perth facility, we are a qualified donee. That means we can offer receipts by request for cash or cheque donations of $25 or more. We don't process the receipts on site, but the staff at Town Hall do. Typically the receipts are sent by email.
The Museum typically hires seasonal employees through the Young Canada Works grant and/or the Canada Summer Jobs grant. Applications are typically open for two weeks sometime between late January and mid March each year. Other positions occasionally come up as well. For a list of current opportunities, please visit the Town's employment opportunities page.
I'd like to volunteer at the Museum. How do I express interest?
Thank you! We appreciate it. We're working on a form for that, but in the meantime, please email us and tell us a little bit about yourself, why you want to volunteer, and what you are interested in doing. Thanks again!
Perth Museum does not have birth, marriage and death information accessible to the public. Please contact the Office of the Registrar General.
Office of Registrar General – application forms certificates or
Type in search engine, office of registrar general
189 Red River Road, P.O. Box 4600, Stn. P, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 9Z9
1-800-461-2156
These are no longer held locally, but you can search for properties online.
Other Organizations and Research Resources To Help
Algonquin College Perth Campus – Learning Resource Center
7 Craig Street, Perth, Ontario
613-267-2859 ext. 5607
1920 Concession 7 Rd., Drummond Centre, Perth, ON
613-267-2232
Lanark County Genealogical Society
Do you have a Perth & District Union Library card? Contact the library for free login information. The Library also provides a small Local History section that contains published works about the area's history.
Elmwood Cemetery, (1872- present) is the only operating public cemetery within the Town of Perth. Located at 165 Dufferin Road, Perth, Ontario, it operates on a not-for-profit basis
The Old Burying Ground (a.k.a. Last Duel Cemetery) (1821-1972) is no longer in operation. Located at the Craig Street entrance to Cole Road off the Last Duel Park beside the Tay River
The Old Methodist Cemetery is located at the end of Robinson St. near Last Duel Park. No longer in operation.
For historical researchers, there are also several cemeteries in neighbouring municipalities:
Hall of Remembrance Military Museum
Located on the second floor of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244, Perth-Upon-Tay is a unique museum containing thousands of military artifacts from the Boar War, World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan. The museum's signature displays are three large stained glass windows depicting the branches of the Armed services and an excellent collection of Canadian Victoria Cross winners and bios. The Hall also has a collection of items representing foreign Military services and Canadian Peacekeeping, the library has a large collection of reading material and a resource centre.
Admission is free and access is by stairs and chair lift. Tours can be arranged by calling (613) 267-4400 or their website.
Did you know Perth Museum holds a large geology collection? Geology is big in this area. Here's why:
Lanark County straddles two distinct geological environments:
To learn more, visit the dedicated Geology page!
Contact Us
Town of Perth
Town Hall
80 Gore Street East
Perth, Ontario
K7H 1H9
Telephone: (613) 267-3311
Fax: (613) 267-5635
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