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Downtown Heritage Perth Newsfeed - for automated News Aggregators only
Crowds enjoying the annual bonfire in the evening of the Festival of Good Cheer
Fun For the Whole Family
The Historic Perth Museum, Stewart Park, Tay Canal and many other Heritage Features make for a pleasant outing for the whole family.

Events in Perth

On April 26, don't forget the Festival of the Maples - Perth's welcome to spring and the Pioneer Maple Festival at the Perth Museum.

Town Events - check up on everything happening in town this month at this event calendar maintained by the town.

The Perth Museum

"Leave this fast-paced life behind and enter the world of the 1840's at the elegant Matheson House, home of the Perth Museum. Located in the heart of downtown heritage Perth at 11 Gore Street East, this stone dwelling was declared a National Historic Site in 1966. Four period rooms reflect the lifestyle of the well-to-do Scottish merchant, the Honourable Roderick Matheson, and his family, who owned the house for 90 years." Read more of the story of the Matheson House written by Susan McNichol, the former curator of the Perth Museum. Visit the Perth Museum Website for more details and photographs.
Spinning yarn - the olde fashioned way The Museum has many fine artifacts on display, such as the dueling pistols used in the Last Fatal Duel held in Canada, a small piece of the Mammoth Cheese , a cheese so big it crashed through the floor of the World Columbian Exhbition in Chicago in 1893, and artifacts from the fabulous Marks Brothers - the most remarkable theatrical family in Canadian history. The dazzling Marks Brothers were the greatest impresario performers of our small town stage in the era before the nickelodeon. Look for seasonal displays such as the recent Rope Making Display, tool display and outdoor bakeoven at the "Summer in the Courtyard" held during the Stewart Park Festival.

Summer in the Courtyard - Making Rope Demonstration by Don Green Summer in the Courtyard - fresh bread from the outdoor bake oven Summer in the Courtyard - tool display
Read/Download latest Museum Newsletter[PDF]

Stewart Park

Perth Town Hall Stewart Park is located in Downtown Heritage Perth directly behind City Hall. The City Hall building was erected in 1863 from locally quarried Potsdam sandstone. This Neo Classical structure once housed a concert hall as well as municipal offices. It was the home of the Perth Chamber of Commerce, Police and Fire Departments, which are now in different locations. The Perth Citizens' Band formed in 1885 is still located here. The Band Stand (behind City Hall) was erected in the 1930s and during the summer months is used for bi-weekly band concerts. The clock was installed in the tower in 1874.
Stewart Park itself is a cool oasis during the summer months where you can stop and rest, or picnic. Events, such as the Stewart Park Festival provide free entertainment for the whole family. Here are a couple of photos from the 2005 version of the Stewart Park Festival.

Main Music Stage - Stewart Park Festival (2005) Stewart Park Festival (2005) - Kids Activity Tent Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Allies - Wigwam at Stewart Park Festival (2005) Stewart Park Festival (2005) - Acoustic Tent

Tay Basin

Crystal Palace on the Tay Basin The Tay Basin is the hub for many activities in Downtown Heritage Perth. The Crystal Palace Market occupies the Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Saturday Mornings, providing a wide range of crafts and flowers. The Crystal Palace, sharp eyed viewers may notice, is constructed from the glass enclosures that used to enclose Rideau Street in Ottawa. If you look carefully you will find some of the Rideau Street store names still on the building.

Crystal Palace Market

As well as boating on the canal- there are annual events such as the popular Kids Fishing Contest.

Kids Fishing Contest on the Tay Basin

Walking Tours

The Rideau Canal Waterway Website provides information on four interesting walking tours of Heritage Perth which will let you discover many of the interesting Heritage features of this beautiful town.

Cyling Tours

If you are interested in cycling around Perth, the following "Pedalling in Perth and District" brochure (PDF) has been prepared.

Perth Farmers' Market

The The Farmers' Market is open, rain or shine, every Saturday morning from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM starting on the weekend of Mother's Day until the Thanksgiving Weekend. This year they are operating in the Market Square beside Town Hall.
Perth Farmers' Market

The Perth Farmers' Market is one of the most successful in Ontario.They have a large number of vendors that offer high quality, and a good variety of produce, crafts and services.

These are just some of the products you can find on any given market day:

  • locally organically grown produce,
  • home baked pies, pastries and bread,
  • pickles, jams and preserves of all kinds,
  • confections
  • flowers, herbs and plants,
  • garlic, honey and maple syrup,
  • meat and eggs
  • weaving, juried crafts and jewellery
  • BBQ pork
  • Market Cafe

Every Saturday one lucky patron wins the contents of the market basket which is filled with samples contributed by the vendors that day.

The Round Garden for the Blind

Perth has a unique Round Garden for the blind.

Citizens' Band Concerts

The Perth Citizens' Band is the oldest town band in Canada. They represent a tradition going back over 150 years. Visit the Perth Citizen's Band website to hear some soundtracks from their latest album - "And The Band Played On", and their current concert schedules. During the summer months, they present concerts in the band stand behind the Town Hall.
Perth Citizens' Band - Concert in the Bandshell

For more information on activities in the town visit: