Photo: MBC News
A piece of Perth history that came close to disappearing is still welcoming visitors today, thanks in large part to generations of community support.
The Perth Museum is located inside the historic Matheson House, a National Historic Site that has become both a window into the town’s past and a gathering place for visitors and residents.
Kathryn Jamieson, Manager of Tourism and Culture for the Town of Perth, said the museum itself dates back more than 100 years and was originally housed in the former Perth library.
Its move to Matheson House came after the property’s future became uncertain in the 1960s.
The home once belonged to the Matheson family, who lived there for 99 years. Roderick Matheson was a prominent Perth businessman and later a member of Canada’s first Senate.
Today, visitors can walk through period rooms including the kitchen, dining room, parlour and drawing room. Many of the furnishings have their own direct connection to local families.
Keeping the museum running remains a community effort.
Along with town staff, volunteers help care for collections and preserve the property. One local group has taken a particularly visible role outside the historic home.
The museum is also finding new ways to make history accessible to families.
Visitors can explore at their own pace, children can take part in a scavenger hunt, and the third floor now offers another hands-on way to connect with the past.
Admission to the Perth Museum is by donation. Learn more about Matheson house and the museum here.
