Current Exhibits
Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom
EXTENDED until the end of 2020
After a second record-breaking year of attendance, the Stratford Perth Museum has decided to extend the Justin Bieber exhibit, Steps to Stardom, for at least another year.
The exhibit, which opened in February of 2018, will now be in place until at least the end of 2020.
The museum works closely with Bieber and his family members and continues to receive new items for the exhibit. Most recently Justin’s grandparents brought a number of very personal items from Justin and Hailey’s wedding to the museum. Those items are already on display.
Another influx of items is planned before the end of the year which will mean many new things in the Steps to Stardom exhibit for 2020.
The museum also operates a giftshop with several Bieber items for fans who want to take home a souvenir of their visit, including T-shirts, cellphone cases and lanyards.
Beliebers can also buy a recently released book penned by Kastner that gives a behind-the-curtain look at the museum exhibit. Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom features 100 colour photos of some of the most iconic pieces of memorabilia in museum’s exhibit, as well as never-before-told stories behind what makes the items so significant. The book also treats fans to exclusive photos and stories about Justin and his family that can’t be found in the exhibit.
Featuring a signed foreword by Bieber himself, the book was published by Stratford-based Blue Moon Publishers.
The Bieber exhibit has been an overwhelming hit for the small museum. Prior to opening the Bieber exhibit, the museum received a few thousand visitors in a good year. Last year, more than 20,000 visitors from around the world came through the museum’s doors, including Bieber, who has dropped in several times.
To purchase tickets in advance click tickets.
The Wightman Story: From Party Lines to Fibre Optic
On exhibit until the end of May 2020
The Road to Woodstock
EXTENDED end of May 2020.
From left to right: Ken Kalmusky, Richard Manuel, John Till.
In the late 1950’s Rock and Roll hit the music scene in Canada.
In Stratford it was the inspiration for a group of boys to form their own band, The Rebels. Later known as The Revols, it launched the careers of three young musicians who went on to play with some of the famous bands in the world.
Richard Manuel, John Till and Ken Kalmusky honed their skills performing with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins, and many other Canadian and American artists.
Richard Manuel went on to become one of the founding members of The Band. John Till was an original member of the Full Tilt Boogie Band, Janis Joplin’s band. Ken Kalmusky founded Great Speckled Bird, the band that backed Canadian musicians Ian and Sylvia.
This year the famous 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary. Till and Manuel performed at the pivotal event in music history.
Created in conjunction with the artists’ families, this exhibit celebrates the careers of these three musicians, and includes background stories and rare personal memorabilia. It also highlights some of the influences that are part of Perth County’s rich music history. Features include a look back at the Dance Halls of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, as well as a view of Stratford in the ‘60s through the lens of the Perth County Conspiracy (Does Not Exist).
The exhibit, which is made possible by generous support from Strickland’s and opens June 21.
This exhibit in cooperation with the Stratford Blues & Ribfest which also has a Woodstock theme in 2019. The Blues and Ribfest also opens Friday June 21 with the headline act Inspired by Janis, a Janis Joplin tribute band. On Saturday’ June 22 The Last Waltz is the theme with a musical celebration of The Band and on the closing day, Sunday June 23 it’s The Woodstock Experience.
For information about the Stratford Blues and Ribfest go to www.stratfordbluesandribfest.ca
Stratford Festival: Such Stuff as Dreams…
Railway Century
You Are Here: Vignettes of Perth County
Perth UP: A Retrospective of Duty and Valour
Duffy Dent: A Soldier’s Art
Other Museum features include:
- History of the Stratford Fire Department
- Brooks Steam Car
- Print Shop
- …and more!


