Pieces of the Past

On Feb. 18, 1927 the Stratford Mirror newspaper had a short article about a fundraising event for the city’s Young Women’s Christian Association – “The annual tea and home baking sale under the auspices of the board of directors of the YWCA was held in the beautiful home of Mrs. R. I. Whitman, 90 Wi

With winter upon us it is important to ensure that we are engaging our minds and keeping busy. Hobbies make us more interesting and provide a healthy outlet for various energies. Finding time in your day to do something you enjoy doing can reduce negative stress while promoting creativity.

Since the mid-1860s, cheese making in Perth County had been on the rise and quickly became a popular trade. It is reported in the 1871 census that there were 13 cheese factories in Perth County. By the 1881 census, the number had risen to 30.

Beer is one of the oldest drinks produced by humans. The first written records date to 4000 BC. Over the centuries, it was modified and perfected.

After this photograph was donated to Stratford-Perth Archives in 1982, the dapper gentlemen in it were identified by long-time local sports reporter Harold “Winger” Thomas as champion curlers from Stratford who won the Ontario Tankard in 1930. They are, front row from left: W.M. Binkley, H.A. Bruce,

On Dec. 29, 1932 at 7 a.m., a man passing by J.J. Crosier and Company Limited heard a large bang. A few minutes later, smoke began pouring out from the front door of the Stratford-based dry goods and clothing store.

As many readers know, Stratford-Perth Archives celebrated a special anniversary this year! We turned 50!

This is the 49th week in a series of articles celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stratford-Perth Archives. This week we feature a very special pair of cookbooks.

After 50 years of operation, Stratford-Perth Archives houses an ever-growing collection of material that is carefully preserved and made accessible for researchers from around the world.

This is the 47th week in a series of articles celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stratford-Perth Archives. This week’s treasures are three medallions commissioned by the City of Stratford to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. The accompanying examples were transferred to St

After 50 years of operation, Stratford-Perth Archives houses an ever-growing collection that is carefully preserved and made accessible for researchers from around the world. One of the ways that we are celebrating the Archives’ golden anniversary is by highlighting 50 “treasures” from our collectio

This is week 45 of the continuing series of articles celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stratford-Perth Archives and its treasures. This week’s treasure is a Junior Red Cross uniform that belonged to Adelaide Clayton, generously donated to the Archives in 1993. Clayton organized the first Junior Re

After 50 years of operation, Stratford-Perth Archives houses an ever-growing collection that is carefully preserved and made accessible for researchers from around the world.

Albert James Pequegnat served as a Captain in the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance Corp during World War I. When he died in 1959, his obituary reported that, “after 1917... he became an ambassador of good will to American troops in the U.S. and Honolulu.” His brothers George and Nelson also served in th

Discussions on a suitable soldiers’ memorial, led by local chapters of the IODE, started almost as soon as World War I ended in 1918. By 1920 a group had come together to form the Soldiers War Memorial Committee. Working with the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, they collected $19,000 of the $25,000 n