We invite you to tour Perth County celebrating
its rich history on themed heritage tours. Indulge in local lore
at historic pubs; discover where more than a dozen NHLers got
their start; or walk the former Grand Trunk Railway lines in tribute
to the county's strong ties to the railway industry. Enjoy our
samples of heritage tours.
Epitaphs
and Headstones
A cemetery tour featuring the legendary
people of Perth County. World renowned actors of the
stage, and a legendary rock piano player. Canada's ninth prime
minister, and a victim of the Titanic.
Discover the diverse individuals that called Stratford and
Perth County their home, while enjoying the natural beauty
of some of
the area's oldest cemeteries.
Download
the tour package - tour route and description,
plus maps of Avondale Cemetery in Stratford, Fairview Cemetery
in
Listowel
and St. Marys cemetery. [PDF]
Riverwalk Personalities Heritage Tour
River walkways with breathtaking views along the historic Thames
River, manicured gardens and parks, heritage buildings, and local
history unite in Stratford and St. Marys. This interesting blend
of architecture, interesting personalities and natural beauty provides
an ideal way to spend the day in Perth County.
Stratford's Avon River - Boasting the largest park land per capita,
Stratford's main park system contains approximately 115 acres of
formal parkland and
nearly 60 acres of natural area. Enjoy the parks, the architecture,
and the personalities that are a part of one of Canada's best preserved
heritage communities.
Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple . . .
Perth County's Historical Churches
Soaring steeples, lofty towers and stunning stained glass echo
the traditions of the European craftsmen who built the churches
of Perth County. Enjoy the beauty of the county while admiring
the diversity of the twelve churches selected for this tour.
Perth County's lush and rolling fertile land yielded to the hard
work of many immigrants seeking their promise of better lives for
themselves and their families. Townships in Perth County were planned
in the 1820s as part of the tract of land owned by the Canada Company,
a British corporation interested in the development and settlement
of Upper Canada. As early as 1828, entrepreneurs were establishing
inns and communities along the surveyed roads cutting their way
through the Huron Tract.
The Ties That Bound a County - Railway Heritage Tour of Perth
County
Railway rivalry, expansions and an even an explosion created drama
in Stratford and Perth County long before any actor set foot on
a stage. Experience the railway heritage of Stratford, St. Marys
and Listowel while hiking along former railway lines, learning
about the interesting people who helped build the railway's strong
hold and viewing some of the last, and best preserved railway buildings
in Ontario.
The arrival of the first railways brought not only a revolutionary
change in communication with the outside world, but along with
the railway-related industry of the shops, the railways also allowed
for easy shipments of goods to markets across North America and
overseas. Perth County was one of the leading areas in Canada for
the dairy industry for well over a century, as well as Stratford,
with its ten or more furniture factories, producing approximately
one-sixth of all the furniture in the country.
Download
the tour package - tour route and description,
plus tour route maps of Stratford, St. Marys and Listowel.
[PDF]
Stonetown Heritage Town, St Marys
Carved in
stone and etched in history, St. Marys is known as the Stonetown.
Its magnificent limestone buildings, were crafted by Scottish
stone masons and embellished with a European flair. This picturesque
town enveloped by river, hills and stone was first settled in
the
early 1840s on the bank of the Thames River and Trout Creek.
Epitaphs
and Headstones 
Riverwalk Personalities Heritage Tour
The Ties That Bound a County - Railway Heritage Tour of Perth
County
Stonetown Heritage Town, St Marys
