Latest Events
Busy Hands Workshop: The Weird Wild World of Heraldry 101
The Stratford Perth Museum4275 Huron Road RR#5Stratford, ONN5A 6S6 Map
Heraldry is deeply connected to many modern concepts, and embedded in Canadian culture, official buildings and history. Boring? Not if you know where to look! Behind every shield is a story – some grandiose, some naughty, and some just plain weird. From medieval to modern day, this form of recognition has been with us for nearly a thousand years. Heraldry has a language all its own, and when you’re done, you’ll have your own shield and crest to take home with you, perhaps representing your own story.
Date: Saturday, April 1 2023
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Supplies: All Included
Leader: Desiree Kern
Project: Learn about coats of arms, and design your own.
Price: $20.00 plus tax per person (for discount prices please call 1-519-393-5315)
For Tickets and Details visit
www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/busy-hands-workshops/... See MoreSee Less
Third Thursday Talk: Running on Hot Air - The Brooks Steam Car
The Brooks Steam Car is one of Canada's most unique and intriguing automobiles. A century after they were built in Stratford, Ontario historians debate if the cars were created by Oland J. Brooks as a scam to cheat investors or if they were legitimate alternative energy vehicles. Only a handful of Brooks Steam Cars survive with one in the collection of the Canadian Automotive Museum and another in the Stratford Perth Museum. Join John Kastner from the Stratford Perth Museum as he explores the local history and legacy of Canada's scandalous steam car.
This online talk will take place over Zoom and is part of the Canadian Automotive Museum's Third Thursday lecture series. These online talks are free and open to the public, but registration is required. The Canadian Automotive Museum is a registered Canadian charity and a suggested donation of $10 goes toward covering the cost of hosting these virtual events. Donors who make an annual contribution of over $25 will receive a charitable tax receipt.
About our speaker:
John Kastner is the General Manager of the Stratford Perth Museum and is a lifelong writer, having spent 33 years as a journalist. He began his career as a sports writer at the Stratford Beacon Herald and retired as the managing editor in 2012. In 2013, he began a second career as the General Manager of the Stratford Perth Museum. During his career at the Stratford daily newspaper, he often wrote about and organized the coverage of the meteoric rise of local teenager Justin Bieber. He is a life-long resident of the Stratford area and a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with majors in History and English. John is very involved in sports and is the Commissioner of the Intercounty Baseball League and he is also on the board of the Ontario Hockey Federation, a branch of Hockey Canada.
The Stratford Perth Museum welcomes history buffs and tourists alike, and LOTS of Beliebers!... See MoreSee Less
The Stratford Perth Museum4275 Huron Road RR#5Stratford, ONN5A 6S6 Map
In celebration and fellowship we welcome all to our Indigenous Art & Craft Market at the Stratford Perth Museum. Bring your community cultural cravings out for a day of knowledge and friendship and be inspired by our local artists. Whether you would like to shop, talk, admire, or snack, it is sure to delight the senses.
Location: Stratford Perth Museum Indoor & Outdoor Market
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Fee: FREE for Both Vendor and Visitor
Call 1-519-393-5315 for details or to register a vendor space. Outdoor Spaces still available.
Rain Date: Saturday May 13, 2023
Visit our Website for details
www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/indigenous-art-craft-market/... See MoreSee Less
Busy Hands: Leatherworking Workshop 101
The Stratford Perth Museum
Leatherworking Workshop 101
Saturday, March 25 2023
1 PM – 4 PM
Another Session by popular demand is on Saturday, June 3 from 1 PM - 4 PM
Supplies: All Included
Project: Belt
Price: $60.00 plus tax
Space is limited, reserve yours today...
www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/busy-hands-workshops/
Workshop Leader: David Gotlieb
David Gotlieb is a historical leatherworker specializing in reproductions of belts, pouches and other leather items from daily life. He recently moved to Perth County, and is a local member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world specializing in recreating pre 16th century life. David has taught leatherworking classes throughout southern and eastern Ontario, as well as in the US. He has researched and reproduced historical leather dyes, and has made everything from belts and pouches, to axe sheaths and rawhide shadow puppets.... See MoreSee Less
Busy Hands Workshop: Illuminated Manuscripts 101 - What’s with All the Rabbits?
The Stratford Perth Museum4275 Huron Road RR#5Stratford, ONN5A 6S6 Map
Date: Saturday, July 8 2023
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Supplies: All Included
Project: Illuminate and decorate a Shakespearean Sonnet
Price: $20.00
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Humans have been decorating things since pre-history, and shows no sign of stopping. A popular art form from the days of early writing is illumination, the art of decorating in and around written text. In this workshop, we will play with calligraphy, find out why there are so many rabbits being naughty in medieval illumination, see samples of illumination from around the world, and explore the crazy creatures that appear in prayer books and tomes, as well as create your own decoration around a sonnet in preparation for a Shakespearean celebration at the museum for Stratfords of the World Event and the Stratford Festival’s Spamalot production in 2023.
Workshop Leader: Desirée Kern
Desirée Kern is an artist hailing from Southern Ontario, specializing in several different media and genre including heraldry and surrealism, fantasy and more, and is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world, joyfully studying and recreating parts of pre 16th century life. (The good parts.) Desirée shares drawing, heraldry, art history and surrealism with everyone she can. She is also an avid kayaker, traveller, and shenaniganizer. Fair warning to those in attendance – there will be jokes, the occasional strange story or tangent, and possibly the worst of unapologetic puns. (Ye be warned.)... See MoreSee Less
Latest News
Stratford Perth Museum completes 2023 Annual General Meeting
The Stratford-Perth Museum Association held its Annual General Meeting on February 15. The meeting, which was held by ZOOM, was
Stratford Perth Museum Annual General Meeting
The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Stratford-Perth Museum Association will take place Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m. This
Stratford Perth Museum MUSELETTERS
Click here February MUSELETTER Click here December MUSELETTER To get on the MUSELETTER mailing list please send a note to
Stratford Perth Museum part of large funding announcement
On Tuesday, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced
Stratford Transit on Demand to the museum
Great news! Beginning this weekend, people in Stratford can take Stratford Transit to and from the Stratford Perth Museum. This












Our Busy Hands: Leatherworking Workshop is well underway thanks to David Gotlieb and all the spaces were filled...So back by popular demand we are having a second session scheduled for Saturday, June 3 from 1 PM - 4 PM. Keep your hands busy by booking your space via this site stratfordperthmuseum.yapsody.com/event/index/756119?ref=directory_search. ... See MoreSee Less
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The Art-of-Facts Fridays featured item is now on display in our new "Hands On" exhibit" ....This Whisk Holder, adorned with point lace work, won first prize at the Stratford Fall Fair in 1883 it was made by Elizabeth Kalbfleisch. Accession 2016.87.3 #artefacts ... See MoreSee Less
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The Stratford Perth Museum invites to participate in a DinoBites egg hunt on our Heritage Trail April 8th 10:00 A.M. while supplies last. #perthcounty #visitstratfordon #egghunt #dinosaur ... See MoreSee Less
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Busy Hands Workshop: Illuminated Manuscripts 101 - What’s with All the Rabbits?Jul 8, 2:00pmThe Stratford Perth MuseumDate: Saturday, July 8 2023
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Supplies: All Included
Project: Illuminate and decorate a Shakespearean Sonnet
Price: $20.00
Location: Stratford Perth Museum
Humans have been decorating things since pre-history, and shows no sign of stopping. A popular art form from the days of early writing is illumination, the art of decorating in and around written text. In this workshop, we will play with calligraphy, find out why there are so many rabbits being naughty in medieval illumination, see samples of illumination from around the world, and explore the crazy creatures that appear in prayer books and tomes, as well as create your own decoration around a sonnet in preparation for a Shakespearean celebration at the museum for Stratfords of the World Event and the Stratford Festival’s Spamalot production in 2023.
Workshop Leader: Desirée Kern
Desirée Kern is an artist hailing from Southern Ontario, specializing in several different media and genre including heraldry and surrealism, fantasy and more, and is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world, joyfully studying and recreating parts of pre 16th century life. (The good parts.) Desirée shares drawing, heraldry, art history and surrealism with everyone she can. She is also an avid kayaker, traveller, and shenaniganizer. Fair warning to those in attendance – there will be jokes, the occasional strange story or tangent, and possibly the worst of unapologetic puns. (Ye be warned.) ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Our Busy Hands: Leatherworking Workshop is this weekend and all the spaces are filled...So back by popular demand we are having a second session scheduled for Saturday, June 3 from 1 PM - 4 PM. Keep your hands busy by booking your space via this site stratfordperthmuseum.yapsody.com/event/index/756119?ref=directory_search. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Great afternoon!
"And now for something completely different"... how about a workshop on Heraldry on April 1? What's that, you ask...Well in honour of Monty Python's Spamalot at the Stratford Festival this season, the Stratford Perth Museum will host two workshops related to the Weird Wild World of Heraldry and Illuminated Manuscripts (April 1 and July 8 starting at 2:00 PM). Come and make your own while learning the symbolism and secrets of crests, shields, and manuscripts.
Visit www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/busy-hands-workshops/ for tickets and details. ... See MoreSee Less
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This is actually a really cool workshop. Excellent trivia fodder and fun too!
Indigenous Art & Craft Market Vendor Feature
INAADIZIWIN
Products: Beaded Jewellery and Items
Market Location: Stratford Perth Museum Indoor & Outdoor Market
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Fee: FREE for Both Vendor and Visitor
Call 1-519-393-5315 for details or to register a vendor space email groups@stratfordperthmuseum.ca
Visit our website for more information and a vendor listing
www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/indigenous-art-craft.../ ... See MoreSee Less
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Indigenous Art & Craft Market Vendor Feature
ADIVADREAMS CUPCAKES
Products: Delightful desserts and cupcakes.
Market Location: Stratford Perth Museum Indoor & Outdoor Market
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Fee: FREE for Both Vendor and Visitor
Call 1-519-393-5315 for details or to register a vendor space email groups@stratfordperthmuseum.ca
Visit our website for more information and a vendor listing
www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/indigenous-art-craft.../ ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
The Art-of-Facts Fridays....Happy St Patrick’s Day – 1949 poster from Looby’s Dance Hall in Dublin, Ontario. Admission 75 cents! Accession #2019.8.3...Wishing Sláinte (good health) to all this March Break weekend! ... See MoreSee Less
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