Perth

Perth Museum

11 Gore Street East

Phone: (613267-1947 Fax: 613 267-5635 E-mail: [email protected] ), Museum Website.

Hours: M to F 10AM - 5PM; Sa and Su 1PM - 5PM. The Perth Museum is open year round.

The Perth Museum is housed in Matheson House, c1840, on the main street of Downtown Heritage Perth. Matheson House is named after the well-to-do Scottish merchant, the Honourable Roderick Matheson, who lived in this house with his family for over 90 years. This nationally designated historic stone dwelling features 4 period rooms restored to depict the life of a wealthy 19th century family plus two galleries where changing exhibitions are displayed. Displays include the last fatal duel fought in Canada, the Mammoth Cheese, and the famous Marks Brothers the most remarkable theatrical family in Canadian history - definitely NOT the Marx Brothers.

The museum is air-conditioned and municipal parking is available. Group tours are welcome. Admission is by donation.

Stewart Park

behind City Hall

Stewart Park was deeded to the Town in 1947 by Mrs. Jessie Stewart, in memory of her late husband, John A. Stewart. The park, right in the middle of Downtown Heritage Perth, is a cool oasis during hot summer months. The Tay River meanders through the park providing soothing background sounds while you enjoy the large maple trees, gardens, or perhaps on a warm Thursday evening the sound of the Perth Citizen's Band playing in the band stand behind city hall. This Citizen's band has been in existence since 1852 and is the oldest operating Citizen's Band in Canada.

The annual Stewart Park Music Festival held in this park provides a free, 3-day summer musical event for citizens and visitors alike. You might also experience Sunday night church services, or watch a wedding as young couples start out on life's journey. The Park is not to be missed.

From the park you can see Code's Park across the river where a life sized statue of equestrian Olympians Ian Millar and his mount, Big Ben has been erected.

Tay River Trail

The Tay River Trail is a new attraction built around the historic pathway and portage site that dates back to the military settlement of Perth-upon-Tay in 1816, when the waterways were the major means of transportation. Six information plaques have been erected along this waterway along with "navigational trail markers" that will help you navigate the trail. Each marker has a circular viewfinder, through which you can sight the next trail marker and chart your course along the trail. Starting at the Tay basin you can navigate either upstream and downstream.

Festivals

Perth is famous for its year round Festivals. A few of these are:

April - Festival of the Maples Perth's welcome to spring with Maple Syrup and street festival

July - Stewart Park Festival Three days of free music in Stewart Park behind city hall.

August - Perth Garlic Festival "It's Chic to reek"

September - Perth Fair an agricultural fair that showcases the past, present and future

October - Perth Autumn Studio Tour a very special showcase for contemporary fine crafts

November - Eastern Ontario Drama League - 1 Act Play Festival at the Studio Theatre, Perth {http://www.perthentertainmentnow.net}.

November - Festival of Good Cheer. Experience a shopping trip back to 1840

Ian Millar and Big Ben Bronze Memorial

located on the banks of the Tay River across from Codes Mill. Big Ben Website

This life size bronze honours one of Canada's most successful partnerships in Canadian sport and arguably the greatest team in equestrian history. Ian Millar and Big Ben, the 17.3hh Belgian Warmblood who died in December 1999 at age 23, won the hearts of a nation and made their mark in the equestrian world. As a lasting tribute, the Perth and District Chamber of Commerce erected this arresting bronze statue in Downtown Heritage Perth not far from Millar's home and Ben's final resting place. The life-size statue depicts Ian and Ben in full flight over a 5 and-a-half foot jump.

Local Theatre and Arts Activities

Perth is home to a large number or writers, performers, artists and artisans. A local newspaper The Humm keeps an extensive list of ongoing activities of arts in Perth and surrounding district.

You can keep up with the events and productions at the downtown Perth Studio Theatre via their monthly Studio Theatre Newsletter. Or {http://www.perthentertainmentnow.net}.

There is a long and unique history of theatre in Perth dating back to the mid 19th century. The era of the fabulous Marks Brothers is one of the most exciting stories in the town's colourful past. They have been called Maclean’s Magazine, 1958. "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." They truly earned the title of "The Canadian Kings of Repertoire".

The Balderson Theatre building at 12 Gore Street East in which they performed in Perth still stands today now a Home Furniture store. In it's time the Balderson Theatre was the largest theatre between Montreal and Toronto.

If you are interested in all the theatre and festival events in town, then check out Whats Happening in Perth. or {http://www.perthentertainmentnow.net Perth's complete entertainment Listing}.

The Round Garden - A Garden for the Blind

A Garden for the Blind has been constructed that caters to the Blind. It features smells, sounds and taste. A round walkway lets the visitor move from raised bed to raised bed. Signs in English, French and Braille let you discover the various garder plots. Garden fountains and surrounding woods add to the sounds. There are plenty of seating areas around the garden to let you enjoy the various senses. During the summer, the Perth Farmers' Market operates on the same property.

Perth Downtown Pharmasave

57 Foster St.

Perth is home to Canada's oldest drug store. Entrances can be found on Foster and North streets, as the store has since been expanded through. The location is currently owned and operated by Pamela and Robin Newton

Last Duel Park

The Last Fatal Duel in Canada took place in Last Duel Park on June 13, 1833, and Robert Lyon's body lies in the Old Burying Grounds on Cole Street.

Mammoth Cheese

Behind the Perth Soap Factory

At the back of a parking lot, hidden in the long grass near some old train tracks, is an exact replica of Perth's famous Mammoth Cheese. The Mammoth Cheese was created in 1893 for the Chicago World's Fair, and weighed 22,000 pounds. The cheese was talked about more than anything else at the fair, principally because it had crashed through the floor when they unloaded it. (http://www.urbanmarket.co...)

The Perth Town Crier

an official Perth Tradition!

Perth has a long history of official Town Criers that can be traced back to its founding in 1816. At one time there were are as many as three Criers active in the community. The current Town Crier is Brent McLaren and information on him can be found at his website: (http://perthtowncrier.com/blog) (http://www.perthtowncrier.com). Brent welcomes any opportunity to meet with visitors to this Heritage Town.