Perth Museum celebrates 100 year legacy with community celebration in August
A century after first opening its doors, the popular Perth Museum is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate 100 years of preserving local heritage, history, and community pride next month.
On Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., the museum will host a free, family-friendly centennial celebration featuring live music, heritage demonstrations, crafts, local food, and behind-the-scenes tours of the historic building.
Located in the heart of downtown at 11 Gore Street East, the Perth Museum is housed in the Matheson House — a National Historic Site built in 1840 for the Honourable Roderick Matheson. According to a release from the Town of Perth, Matheson was a prominent merchant and senator in Canada’s first parliament. The Matheson building has since become a recognizable facade of downtown Perth’s beautiful architecture and a key attraction in community’s cultural and tourism identity.
“Perth Museum has been part of the fabric of our community for 100 years,” said Kathryn Jamieson, the Town’s Manager of Tourism and Culture. “It’s more than a building; it’s where we keep our shared history alive. We’re excited to honour that legacy with a celebration that brings people together.”
The centennial celebration has a lot in store for visitors, with festivities kicking off in the museum’s courtyard with opening remarks and continue throughout the afternoon with performances by local musicians Bridget O’Flaherty and Kristina Skeries. Visitors can also try hands-on heritage crafts, watch live demonstrations, tour the museum’s rooms and experience the museum’s archives and collection storage areas with guided, behind-the-scenes tours.
“Whether you’re a long-time supporter or visiting for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to engage with the stories, people, and places that have shaped Perth’s history,” Jamieson shared.
According to the Town, this anniversary marks more than just a historic milestone, it marks the museum’s forward-looking vision with new experiential programs rolling out in the coming months.
To learn more about the centennial celebration or upcoming museum programs, visit perth.ca/museum.