Perth Museum

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. 

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? I heard you have three doors!

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). 

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. 

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. 

Where should I park?

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.

• Archives (please make an appointment and we will get the materials out for you)
• Public washroom (gender neutral, single stall, with a change table)
• Water fountain with bottle refill station
• Bicycle repair kit
• Outdoor rest and picnic area
• Stone bake oven
• Guided and Self-Guided Tours
• Visitor Information Center
  • Maps
  • Brochures
  • Magazines
  • Hiking Guides
  • Business Cards
  • Business Promotional Materials

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 object fits Perth Museum's mandate
• If it fits within the Museum's Collections Policy
• If this would be a duplicate items
• If it would fit in our limited storage space
• If it is something that can be used in a program or exhibition
• Will we be able to care for it properly

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. 

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!

Thank you, we hope you enjoyed your visit! We'd love for you to join us on social media to keep in touch. You can also leave a review on whichever platform you use.

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 Births, Marriages and Deaths

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

Land Grants

These are held in Almonte, Ontario:

Lanark County Registry Office – Almonte, ON

613-256-1946

Other Organizations and Research Resources To Help

Algonquin College Perth Campus – Learning Resource Center 

7 Craig Street, Perth, Ontario

613-267-2859 ext. 5607

Archives Lanark 

1920 Concession 7 Rd., Drummond Centre, Perth, ON

613-267-2232

Lanark County Genealogical Society 

Perth Historical Society 

Paper of Record (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)

RootsWeb

Find your Ancestors in Lanark County, Ontario Canada

Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid

Our Ontario

Family Search

Cemeteries

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

• Operated by Perth Cemetery Company: (613) 267-7450

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:

• St. John's Catholic Cemetery - The cemetery is located on the outskirts of the Town of Perth, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada, at Lot 4, Concession 1 of Drummond Township. For more info: (613) 264-2929
• Upper Scotch Line Cemetery - (613) 264-2697 or (613) 812-3051
• St. Bridget's Catholic Cemetery - Stanleyville (613) 267-1662
• St. Stephen's - Brooke (Maberly, ON) - (613) 267-7615

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.

Geology

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:

1. To the west and north, the edge of the Canadian Shield (marble, granite and gneiss predominantly);
2. To the south and east, sedimentary outliers of the Saint-Lawrence Lowlands (sandstone, limestone, and shale).  On top of this lies a thin veneer of glacial debris and unconsolidated post-glacial sediments.

• While every geological setting is unique, the portion of the Shield that is represented in Lanark County is part of what is known as the Central Metasedimentary Belt of Grenville Geological Province - one of the most unusual, diverse and highly studied formations in the world (although perhaps one of the least understood). 
• These rocks were formed roughly one billion years ago when two continents collided to form a vast mountain range that would have rivalled today's Himalayas.
• Over the next 800 million years, the Grenville Mountains were levelled by erosion, inundated by tropical seas, scraped bare by glaciers, and flooded by the icy waters of the Atlantic. 
• Download your own copy of the Perth GeoHistory Booklet for free.

To learn more, visit the dedicated Geology page!