Heritage Walks, Strolls and Tours

For two days, Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18, Heritage Stratford, the Stratford Perth Archives, Stratford Perth Museum, Perth County Historical Foundation, Rotary Club of Stratford and Bill Miller and friends will offer a wealth of historic walks and tours of heritage homes; architectural walking tours; a cemetery tour and our celebrated ghost tours.

Visit our Heritage Downtown shops who will be celebrating the weekend with heritage sidewalk sales all weekend long.

Schedule of Walks, Strolls and Tours

$ Denotes ticketed events requiring a donation or admission fee

Friday, October 16

Ghosts of Stratford Walking Tours - Guided: One hour walking tour of Stratford's "dark side," led by 2 goulish guides through Stratford's downtown. Some haunted locales include the jail, several pubs and hotels, and the Avon Theatre. Tours are held out-of-doors in weather fair or foul, except in extreme conditions. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance at Stratford Tourism. This is a fundraising project of the Perth County Historical Foundation to help restore the Fryfogel Inn.
Meet at York Street tourism centre.
Tour begins at 7:30 pm.
SOLD OUT

Saturday, October 17

Heritage Home Tours - Guides on Site: The Festival City Rotary Club invites you to tour 4 of Stratford’s Heritage Homes. Proceeds of the tour will benefit the Stratford General Hospital Foundation – Heart and Soul Campaign. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting info@thechisholmsinstratford.com or 1.877.373.6813
Download a MAP
1:00 – 5:00 pm
$ - $15.00/person - tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the first house of your tour.
Cemetery Tours - Self-Guided: Guides for self-directed tours will be available at at Stratford Tourism 47 Downie Street Stratford.
Tour 1 - Avondale Cemetery, est. 1871: A Heritage Walk
Tour 2 - “May they rest in peace”: World War I Graves in Avondale Cemetery
4 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, ON N5A 6M4
Stratford Strolls - Guided: Explore Stratford on a guided walking tour and be part of this rich heritage.
Tour leaves from Stratford Tourism, 47 Downie Street Stratford at 10am.
$ - $3 per person - register at Stratford Tourism.
Self-guided tour routes and maps are available on-line and at Stratford Tourism, 47 Downie Street Stratford.
Self-Guided: www.welcometostratford.com/toursandguides.php
Fryfogel Inn - Guides on Site: This Inn was erected in 1844-45 but the first log Inn run by Sebastian Fryfogel opened on this site in December 1828. A nearby Perth County Historical Society plaque, erected in 1928 on the 100th Anniversary of the Inn claims Sebastian and Mary being the first settlers in Perth County.
Highway 7/8, 3km East of Shakespeare.
Open for viewing from 10-4 Saturday and 1-4 Sunday
$ Donation
Brocksden School - Guides on Site: Located in North Easthope Township, the schoolhouse is the oldest in Perth County, dating back to 1853.
2719 Perth Line 37, RR 1 Stratford, ON N5A 6S2
Open for viewing from 1-4 Saturday and Sunday
$ Donation
Castle Kilbride - Guides on Site: Castle Kilbride is a grand Victorian mansion that was constructed in 1877 and is now a National Historic Site. Lavish home of James Livingston boasts nationally designated Trompe l'oeil ("fools the eye") ceiling and wall murals throughout.
60 Snyder's Road West, Baden - 15 minutes East of Stratford. Open for viewing from 1-4 Saturday and Sunday.
$- $6 for adults/$5 for students/$16 2 adults & 2 children
Stratford-Perth Museum - Self-Guided: Canada Agricultural Museum's travelling exhibit "Food for Health" The nature of Canadian farms has changed over the past century, with upgraded equipment and buildings, and innovative farming methods. This exhibit will showcase those changes and touch on labels and packaging, food safety and health and nutrition.
4275 Huron Road West RR5 Stratford, ON N5A 6S6
Open from 10-4 Saturday and Sunday.
$ Donation
McCully's Hill Farm - Self-Guided/guided wagon rides: For over 160 years the McCullys Farm has grown fresh foods in harmony with the environment. Our seasonal events/festivals and educational programs celebrate the past, present and future of agriculture, food and healthy living.
4074 Perth Line #9, R.R. 2 St. Marys, ON N4X 1C5
Open 12-4 Saturday and Sunday.
$- $6 per person/$20 family of 4 or more
Amish Tours - Self-Guided: The rarest of invitations are offered by Amish farmers, craftsmen and their families to visit them Saturday afternoon. This is an intimate opportunity to meet and observe the Amish community and its citizens going about their everyday business.
Various county locations, see Amish Tour guide and map.
Noon-4 pm
Donations accepted.
St. Marys Stonetown - Guided: Located at the junction of the Thames River and Trout Creek, the Town of St. Marys’ rich history is apparent in its 19th century homes and in the fine blocks of commercial buildings in the downtown core. The limestone of the Town Hall, the Public Library and some of the oldest churches was quarried locally and remains a symbol of the continuity between the past and the present. Lead by a knowledgeable tour guide, explore the streets of St. Marys and discover the architectural highlights of this lovely town.
St. Marys Town Hall 175 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON
Tour begins at 4pm
No Charge
Ghosts of Stratford Walking Tours - Guided: One hour walking tour of Stratford's "dark side," led by 2 goulish guides through Stratford's downtown. Some haunted locales include the jail, several pubs and hotels, and the Avon Theatre. Tours are held out-of-doors in weather fair or foul, except in extreme conditions. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance at Stratford Tourism. This is a fundraising project of the Perth County Historical Foundation to help restore the Fryfogel Inn.
Meet at York Street tourism centre.
Tour begins at 7:30 pm.
SOLD OUT

Sunday, October 18

Stratford Heritage Church Tour - Guided: L’Arche Stratford invites you to tour 4 of Stratford’s Heritage Churches. Proceeds of the tour will benefit L’Arche Stratford, a faith-based organization enabling adults with intellectual disabilities to find a valid place in the community by providing them with caring homes and creative day programming. Advance tickets may be purchased from Stratford Tourism at 47 Downie Street, Stratford 800-561-7926.
Download a MAP
1:00 – 5:00 pm
$ - $15.00/person - tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the first church of your tour.
Cemetery Tours - Self-Guided: Guides for self-directed tours will be available at at Stratford Tourism 47 Downie Street Stratford.
Tour 1 - Avondale Cemetery, est. 1871: A Heritage Walk
Tour 2 - “May they rest in peace”: World War I Graves in Avondale Cemetery
4 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, ON N5A 6M4
Stratford Strolls - Guided: Explore Stratford on a guided walking tour and be part of this rich heritage.
Tour leaves from Stratford Tourism, 47 Downie Street Stratford at 2pm.
$ - $3 per person - register at Stratford Tourism.
Self-guided tour routes and maps are available on-line and at Stratford Tourism, 47 Downie Street Stratford.
Self-Guided: www.welcometostratford.com/toursandguides.php
Fryfogel Inn - Guides on Site: This Inn was erected in 1844-45 but the first log Inn run by Sebastian Fryfogel opened on this site in December 1828. A nearby Perth County Historical Society plaque, erected in 1928 on the 100th Anniversary of the Inn claims Sebastian and Mary being the first settlers in Perth County.
Highway 7/8, 3km East of Shakespeare.
Open for viewing from 10-4 Saturday and 1-4 Sunday
$ Donation
Brocksden School - Guides on Site: Located in North Easthope Township, the schoolhouse is the oldest in Perth County, dating back to 1853.
2719 Perth Line 37, RR 1 Stratford, ON N5A 6S2
Open for viewing from 1-4 Saturday and Sunday
$ Donation
Castle Kilbride - Guides on Site: Castle Kilbride is a grand Victorian mansion that was constructed in 1877 and is now a National Historic Site. Lavish home of James Livingston boasts nationally designated Trompe l'oeil ("fools the eye") ceiling and wall murals throughout.
60 Snyder's Road West, Baden - 15 minutes East of Stratford.
Open for viewing from 1-4 Saturday and Sunday.
$- $6 for adults/$5 for students/$16 2 adults & 2 children
Stratford-Perth Museum - Self-Guided: Canada Agricultural Museum's travelling exhibit "Food for Health" The nature of Canadian farms has changed over the past century, with upgraded equipment and buildings, and innovative farming methods. This exhibit will showcase those changes and touch on labels and packaging, food safety and health and nutrition.
4275 Huron Road West RR5 Stratford, ON N5A 6S6 Open from 10-4 Saturday and Sunday.
$ Donation
McCully's Hill Farm - Self-Guided/guided wagon rides: For over 160 years the McCullys Farm has grown fresh foods in harmony with the environment. Our seasonal events/festivals and educational programs celebrate the past, present and future of agriculture, food and healthy living.
4074 Perth Line #9, R.R. 2 St. Marys, ON N4X 1C5
Open 12-4 Saturday and Sunday.
$- $6 per person/$20 family of 4 or more
St. Marys Stonetown - Guided: Located at the junction of the Thames River and Trout Creek, the Town of St. Marys’ rich history is apparent in its 19th century homes and in the fine blocks of commercial buildings in the downtown core. The limestone of the Town Hall, the Public Library and some of the oldest churches was quarried locally and remains a symbol of the continuity between the past and the present. Lead by a knowledgeable tour guide, explore the streets of St. Marys and discover the architectural highlights of this lovely town.
St. Marys Town Hall 175 Queen Street East, St. Marys, ON
Tour begins at 4pm
No Charge