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Heritage House Museum

  1. Smiths Falls
  2. Lanark County Museum
  3. Leeds And Grenville United Counties Museum
  4. Smiths Falls Museum

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About

Heritage House Museum is the municipal museum for the Town of Smiths Falls, with Victorian period rooms, changing exhibitions, gift store and grounds.

Story

In the early 1850's the lure of plenty of water power and the promise of railway development attracted Joshua Bates, founder of nearby Farmersville (now Athens), to a site beside the roaring waters of Old Sly's Rapids on the Rideau Canal. Bates built two mills on property leased from the Crown and promoted the development of the Brockville and Ottawa Railway Company. After suffering considerable losses in his milling operations and investing heavily in the now bankrupt railway company, he began construction of his large frame house in 1861.

Despite his optimism for the future, fate did not allow Joshua Bates to recoup his fortune or to enjoy his new home. He died in debt on January 1st, 1864. Ironically, his home and mills were acquired by his competitor Truman R. Ward, eldest son of Abel Russell Ward, a founding father of Smiths Falls.

After many years of neglect, the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls purchased the once dignified country estate from the Gleeson family in 1977 for use as a museum.

Today the lifestyles of Joshua and Tamson Bates and Truman and Anabella Ward are depicted in the classically styled home where both families once lived. Heritage House Museum functions as a historic house depicting upper middle class life circa 1865-1875 and as a local museum featuring a permanent collection of Smiths Falls artifacts, traveling exhibits and art shows.

Summer Hours:

Wednesday, Friday, Sunday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday & Saturday - 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Address: 11 Old Slys Rd, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4T6, Canada
Phone: (613) 283-6311
ac.sllafshtims@esuohegatireh
State: Ontario
County: Lanark County
City: Smiths Falls
Zip Code: K7A 4T6


Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Update Info

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Reviews
This museum offers a look into the lives of an upper middle-class family circa 1865-1875. It also hosts special events throughout the year, while also offering exhibits on Smiths Falls' history, as well as having gallery space for art shows.nnNow that I have discovered this museum, I will make sure to keep tabs on the various events that they host.
I got married here this year in May. The staff was friendly and accommodating, the grounds were well maintained and kept, even insuring to mow the day of. They allowed us to utilize their potted flowers and offered to help decorate.nThey even took down all our decorations and kept them safe inside for us to pick up. Absolutely amazing experience at this place. Thank you staff of the heritage museum house!
Amazing place, staff, and visit. One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Small museum but fantastic. House was build 1860, authentic and classy. I loved it. The staff are super nice, informative, and helpful. They even have a game for kids to find some house items and win a prize. Kids had fun, know new information, and we had chance to move to see the the museum. We bought some house made jam and soap from their gift shop. Highly recommended. We drove one hour from Ottawa, no regret. Do not forget to visit the railway museum their, Too close do not waste the chance. We were 8 people, paid only 27$.nتجربه رائعه في هذا البيت القديم. لعشاق الرقي والذوق القديم التقليدي .. ارجح زيارته بشده وسعره رائع. وما تنسوا تزوروا متحف القطارات هترجعوا للأفلام القديمه بس الفرق ان كل شي حقيقي
Its always the people and their behaviour , support and attitude towards customers makes the place memorable and the staff at this place succeeded in that by helping me to organize my engagement party.nnThanks to Sienna, Quinn, Megan and Aiden for the support, and help and this will be remembered forever, not by me but also by the guests who participated in the event.nnThey are super cool and gracious people I have ever met and I would definitely recommend this place for your party.
I and my husband we both enjoyed the heritage house museum walk. It was 40mins drive for us from Ottawa. They have entry fees cad 5 dollars. But that's perfectly worthy.
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