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Town in Eastern Ontario, Canada
Photo: Kenn Chaplin from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Perth is a small, historic town in eastern Ontario, Canada, home to around 6,500 people (2021).
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Matheson House, c. 1840, was home to well-to-do Scottish merchant Hon. Roderick Matheson and his family for over 90 years. Four rooms of the nationally-designated historic stone dwelling are restored to the 19th-century era; two galleries display changing exhibitions on topics including the last fatal duel fought in Canada, the Mammoth Cheese, and the famous Marks Brothers theatrical family (not to be confused with the American Marx Brothers).
As a promotional stunt for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, twelve Lanark County cheesemakers used the equivalent of a day's milk from ten thousand cows to make the 'World's Largest Cheese', 8.5 metres (28 feet) in diameter and two metres (six feet) tall. It drew crowds at every stop on the trip via Toronto to Chicago by rail; its ten tonne (22,000 lbs) weight crashed through an exhibition hall floor when first unloaded. A modern full-scale replica stands at the Tay Basin beside the Crystal Palace, an earlier replica (from the 50th anniversary) is near the original assembly point on the CP Rail line (end of Herriott Street. near the Perth Soap Factory).
Official Town Crier Brent McLaren represents the town at civic ceremonies, festivals, special community functions and Town Crier competitions.
Constructed in 1983 as a special garden for the blind which features smells, sounds and taste with a round walkway leading from raised bed to raised bed. Signs in English, French and Braille describe various garden plots. Garden fountains and surrounding woods add to the sounds, with plenty of seating areas around the garden to enjoy the various senses.
Military veterans' museum covering two world wars, the Korean war and peacekeeping missions.
53-acre (21 hectares) public park south of Perth with six ball diamonds, three soccer pitches, two basketball courts, a beach volleyball court, four tennis courts, a playground area, toboggan hill, skateboard park and outdoor rink in winter, cross-country skiing. Teams may schedule a sports field in advance. Home of Perth Tay Tennis Club. Perth United Soccer Club, Perth and District Little League, Perth Mixed Lob ball and Recreational Lob ball.
Canada's oldest continuously operating golf course, founded 1890.
Day camp for 4-14 year olds on 14 acres (5.7 hectares) with workshop, cabins, boating on Otty Lake. Campers choose their own activities in a community-based environment.
Live theatre, April-October.
Series of navigational markers and information plaques follow historic portage and walking pathways upstream and downstream from Tay Basin.
Cinema open weekends late-April to Thanksgiving, daily in July-August, rain or shine. Grill and snack bar.
Cool downtown oasis along Tay River with gardens and maple trees. Perth Citizen's Band, the oldest operating citizens band in Canada (established 1852), performs Thursday evenings at the band shell behind the town hall. The park also hosts weddings and Sunday night church services.
Across the Tay River from Stewart Park. A life-size bronze statue across from Code's Mill commemorates Olympic equestrian horse "Big Ben" (1976–1999) and his rider Ian Millar of Millar Brooke Farm.
Last Fatal Duel in Upper Canada. On June 13, 1833, law student John Wilson shot and killed Robert Lyon because of Lyon's remarks disparaging local schoolteacher Elizabeth Hughes. Wilson and his second were charged with murder, but were acquitted. Wilson moved to London (Ontario), married Miss Hughes, became a Member of Parliament and eventually a judge. Robert Lyon's body lies in the Old Burying Grounds on Cole Street.
Camping, water sport and day use.
New Year's Day.
Late April, at end of maple sugar season. Maple syrup and street festival, live entertainment, pancake breakfast, taffy on snow, classic cars, rides and children's entertainment, market fair with commercial vendors and product awards. Various locations including main street and arena.
July. Three days of free music in Stewart Park behind city hall.
August. "It's Chic to reek."
September (Labour Day weekend) agricultural fall fair.
October. Showcase for contemporary fine crafts.
November. Eastern Ontario Drama League annual event, a competition between various theatrical groups from Kingston to Ottawa. The venue changes each year: Perth Studio Theatre was host in 2011 and again in 2016.
November. Experience a shopping trip back to 1840. A festival of lights is held on (usually) the third Friday of November by the downtown business association at Crystal Palace and Tay Basin; this starts at 6pm with music and a bonfire, followed by fireworks at 6:30pm and then a mass lighting of Community Christmas Trees in the Crystal Palace. The festival of good cheer, held later the same weekend, includes entertainment by carollers and music groups.
European. Weinerschnitzel, Hungarian goulash, beef fillet, desserts.
Family restaurant.
Mexican-Californian. Riverfront patio.
European
Sunday brunch, kids and dessert menus.
No-frills dive bar with a few pool tables, shuffleboard, beer on tap and in bottles/tall cans.
Code's Mill Inn & Spa
Aveda Spa, therapeutic mineral pool, steam room, fitness centre, and Hair Artistry salon. Best Western Plus hotel with suites and conference rooms, beside Stewart Park.
Highway 7 motel with wi-fi, a/c, refrigerators, outdoor pool. No pets.
Under Glass Building
Town marketplace built from remnants of glass street enclosures that once covered Rideau Street in Ottawa. Perth Farmers' Market, local artisans and craftspeople, local produce.
Founded 1881 by local dairy farmers collective to produce Cheddar cheese in the tiny village of Balderson, north of Perth. Various domestic and imported cheeses, confections and condiments, baskets for special occasions.
Now expanded as member of Pharmasave chain, entrances on Foster and North streets.
Historic commercial district with over eighty local merchants, including twenty downtown restaurants.
Forty-five vendors of everything from junk to antiquities.
Artist's co-operative offers pottery, woodcarving, etchings, paintings, jewellery, fibre art, hand-blown glass, sheepskin slippers, leather work, ironwork, children's games and toys, representing over 75 local and Canadian artists.
North of Perth on Bennett Lake.
Pancake House restaurant, wedding and event space.
Lanark Highlands pancake house and maple sugar camp. Maple heritage museum, trails, barn, playground, chainsaw/logging display and blacksmith shop.
By bus
By boat
By train
The closest rail station is in Smiths Falls, on the Toronto-Brockville-Ottawa VIA "Corridor" service.
By plane
The closest major airport is Ottawa. (YOW)
The downtown core, situated on a few square blocks, is easily toured on foot. Parking in downtown lots is $4/day; one may park on-street for free for no more than two hours in any five-hour period.
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