Heritage Day
Celebrate Heritage Day in Perth, Ontario, with a rare open house and activities at the heritage home and property Inge-Va. The event is Saturday August 26, 2023, from 10:00-4:00 at 66 Craig Street.
Inge-Va is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2023, and it is also the 190th anniversary of the Last Fatal Duel in Upper Canada that week. This event will honor both anniversaries with a schedule of events that will include re-enactments, walking tours, garden tours, presentations, and a blind bidding auction. Order take-out from a local restaurant and bring it to the lawn for a picnic and to enjoy the show.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00-4:00 | Inge-Va house open to see inside Heritage demonstrations and marketplace Tours of the Inge-Va gardens Lawn games available Blind bidding for the original painting of Inge-Va |
| 10:30-11:30 | Hour-long Last Duel walking tour, led by local historian Susan Code McDougall, starts and ends from Inge-Va |
| 11:00-11:15 | Last Fatal Duel Re-enactment performance Directed by Perth Town Crier Brent McLaren Starring Connor Williamson and Lana Klymko |
| 1:00-1:20 | Enjoy a cupcake and a welcome from Councillor Bird, followed by the second Last Fatal Duel Re-enactment performance |
| 2:30-3:30 | Hour-long Last Duel walking tour, led by local historian Susan Code McDougall, starts and ends from Inge-Va |
| 4:00 | Blind bidding auction closes |
Heritage Demonstrators and Vendors
Thank you to everyone taking part in the event! You will find the following onsite:
- Lynda Haddon onsite with her books and postcards, and will be providing tours of the gardens
- Cheryl Moss will also be providing tours of the gardens
- Historian and Perth Historical Society member Ron Shaw will be onsite with his books
- Author Driftin' Doug will be onsite with his book
- Heritage carpenter Shawn Thompson will be onsite representing Algonquin College
- Artist Linda Henderson-Myers will have artwork for sale, and has graciously donated a painting of Inge-Va for a silent auction benefitting Perth Museum
- Archives Lanark will be onsite with historical information for researchers
- Ontario Heritage Trust staff will be onsite with archaeological artefacts and information from the site
Blind Bidding Auction
How does this work?
- Complete the ballot on paper or online with your name, contact information, and your bid for the original framed artwork (Value: $500)
- Submit your bid before 4:00 on Saturday August 26, 2023
- All bids (both online and paper bids) will be reviewed after the auction closes
- The individual who placed the highest bid will be contacted to arrange for payment and pick-up
Rules
- By placing a bid, you agree to pay for the artwork for that amount if your bid is selected (payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit or credit card)
- You may bid more than once, but the highest bid is the one that will be used
- Once a bid is placed, it cannot be removed or repealed
- Bid must be equal or greater than the minimum bid of $125
VALUE: $500
MINIMUM BID: $125
Place Your Bid Online Here
Get Involved
We are seeking volunteers to help manage the event on August 26 and have half day and full day time slots available. We are also seeking organizations with a connection to history and heritage to join us at the event. To express your interest, please fill out this brief form by August 11, 2023.
Virtual Tour
Want to take a sneak peek inside Inge-Va before Heritage Day? The Ontario Heritage Trust website features an interactive map of Inge-Va’s rooms on its first floor:
Click for a virtual walking tour through Inge-Va: https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/properties/inge-va
| About Inge-Va |
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From Ontario Heritage Trust:
"Located in the heart of Perth, this late-Georgian stone residence was built in 1823 for Reverend Michael Harris, the first Episcopalian minister in the district. By 1833 it was the home of Thomas Mabon Radenhurst, a prominent lawyer in the community. Ella Inderwick purchased the property from the Radenhurst family in the 1890s and named it "Inge-Va" – a Tamil word meaning "come here." Her son Cyril, a founder of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) in 1933, inherited the property. Inge-Va was donated to the Ontario Heritage Trust by Cyril's wife Winnifred in 1974. The Trust conducted an archaeological investigation of the property from 1987 to 1993. In 1989, Winnifred Inderwick bequeathed to the Trust a collection of furnishings that provide insight into the history of the house and the wider Perth community. Following extensive research on the history of the house, the Trust used funds provided by the provincial government to complete a major restoration of Inge-Va in 1995."
You can read more about the home and even go on a virtual tour of the house on the Ontario Heritage Trust webpage for Inge-Va. |
| About the Last Fatal Duel of Upper Canada |
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On the 13th of June, 1833, near the town of Perth, Upper Canada, John Wilson and Robert Lyon, Law Students, met in a farmer’s field for the purpose of settling a dispute – “what was to be over the love of a woman, Elizabeth Hughes, turned into, a matter of honour”. After two exchanges of fire, Robert Lyon lay mortally wounded and died within hours. John Wilson married Elizabeth Hughes and went on to a successful career as a lawyer, politician and magistrate. Robert Lyon is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery at Craig Street.
You can read more about the the site of the Last Fatal Duel and the provenance of the pistols on the Perth & District Historical Society website. There are several books available on the subject in the Perth Museum gift shop as well. |
| Plan Your Trip for Heritage Day |
ParkingOn-street parking available. The closest public parking lot is at the Tay Basin, which is a five minute walk away. No parking onsite, but there is an on-site pick-up and drop-off area for those with Accessible Parking permits. Visit the parking page for more information.
WashroomsThere is one washroom available onsite. For additional options and information, visit the washroom page.
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| What else is happening that weekend? |
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To plan your weekend, visit these links: |