Things You Might Not Know About Matheson House

Did you know that Perth is one of the seven communities in Ontario considered appropriate for preservation on a total basis?

The house was built for Honorable Roderick Matheson (1793- 1873) who emigrated to Canada just  before the War of 1812. He fought over 33 engagements as an officer in the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles.

He was the first bank agent and a merchant.

Senator Matheson had two sons by his first marriage and 4 in his second. The family lived in the house until the last member of the second generation died.

It was later occupied by two families who operated it as a guest house and a tea room.

After the second World War it was occupied by the Canadian Legion.

In 1963 its future was doubtful when the Legion moved and its preservation was fought for by the Perth Museum Board led by Mrs. Cyril C Inderwick who owned Inge-Va.

Did you know the windows are 12 paned?

In 1948 the Matheson property on Gore Street was for sale and then, Legion Branch President, Fred Burchell, and Secretary B.L. Foster concluded a deal and purchased the property, only requiring a $2500 mortgage.

Perth Remembered THE MATHESON HOUSE/PERTH MUSEUM in 1948 as THE BIRKACRE INN & OLD ENGISH TEA ROOM. Lunches, Dinners, Teas, Refreshments, Rooms, Private and Catering all offered. Courteous, Unobtrusive Service, Old English Recipes and Private Dinners by appointment.

The BIRKACRE takes particular pride in the excellence of its cuisine. Dishes are prepared in Old English style, immensely appetizing and pleasing to the palate.

The BIRKACRE is ideally appointed to care for private bridge parties, afternoon teas, dinners etc. Privacy and excellent service assured. Full details may be arranged by calling 360.

MR. and MRS. WM. KINLOCK, Proprietors.

The Vanity Fair tea House

THE PERTH COURIER, 1938. “The Vanity Fair Tea House is the name under which the former Matheson home, now the property of Mr. J.C. Carr, will open to the public about the middle of June. The name will call to mind Thackeray’s novel, “Vanity Fair”. It was seven years before the great Thackeray wrote his English novel, that here in Canada in the town of Perth, Senator Matheson’s home on Gore Street was built. History, romance, tradition! They are an integral part of a home that has stood solid and unchanging through almost a century of self movement and rapid innovation. We would change it but little for it is something mellow and rare and lovely in this hurried age”.

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  12 Sep 1898, Mon,  Page 4

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  10 Apr 1895, Wed,  Page 7

What a wonderful story Linda. My mum worked there in the early 1940’s with her sister. She always commented on how kind the Carr’s were. I’ve seen photo’s of the original garden and it was incredible! A grand English perennial garden. It was behind the building where the parking lot now is. Thank heavens the town (for once) had the foresight to purchase it. I recollect there was interest from a grocery chain, Bobblahblah comes to mind, and we know what would have happened then. The original museum was on the top floor of the Carnegie Library and it was a place of wonderment for munchkins. The present second floor displays need a serious overhaul and takes away from the splendour of the rest of the building. Thank you once again for your research and story telling. Cheryl

There was also a very large perenial garden that was also taken over by the town in that parking lot from my grand mother Beeman of 36/38 foster street and I played in both those gardens as a child all the way out to the small metal gate in the stone wall on Gore.. I also recently discovered in my collection an envelope with “Vanity fair tea house stamped on the corner. I think My grandmother also had the Vantity fair tea house street sign years ago in her garage..

Peter Ewart

Hi Linda, Just finished writing a book on the gardens around Matheson House. Roderick was married twice and had twin sons with his first wife and sadly she passed away a few days after their births. With his second wife they had 11 children, 4 sons and 7 daughters. Only the surviving twin son married as did one son and one daughter from the second family. Last daughter died December, 1929.

Your notes on the House were helpful to me working on my project. Thank you.

Lynda Haddon (originally from the Sherbrooke, Quebec area)

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