The two buildings that house Gallery Stratford were built in 1883 by London architect George F. Durand on the banks of the Avon River. One structure was originally built as the pump house for the Stratford Waterworks, the other for equipment storage. Durand believed architecture was more than just engineering—it was art. You can see that in the mix of styles he used. In 1985, the City of Stratford designated it a Heritage Building.

In 1874, Stratford’s first brick Lutheran church was dedicated. This building later became part of the Pounder Brothers Mill, whose construction shaped a lot of Stratford. Portions of the original church remain visible in Jobsite Brewing Company’s production area today. Visitors can enjoy these historic touches alongside a pint and wood-fired pizza, both made on site.

Built in 1873 and rebuilt in 1915 after a devastating fire, Knox Presbyterian Church remains a cornerstone of Stratford's spiritual and cultural life. Its magnificent stained-glass windows, including the landmark seven-panel installation, have been recently restored by BMI. As the congregation continues to worship here, the building is also being prepared for Copperlight, a new hospitality and arts venue. Return Saturday evening for a ticketed dinner and concert experience.

Built in 1874 by local builder Thomas Orr Sr., this elegant Italianate home features tall arched windows, decorative brickwork, and wide eaves with ornate brackets. Once a private residence, it now serves as the Orr Insurance & Investment head office, reflecting Stratford's rich architectural heritage and the Orr family's long-standing community legacy.

Stratford City Hall, built in 1899, is a National Historic Site of Canada in the heart of downtown. This red-brick Victorian landmark, with its iconic clock tower, ornate detailing, and auditorium, showcases the city’s rich history. Doors Open visitors can explore the auditorium and Council Chambers, discover the stories behind the building’s past and its role in the community.

Stratford Public Library, built in 1903 with a $15,000 Carnegie donation, opened quietly after heated debate over accepting his funds. Originally featuring a grand north entrance and lower floor custodian quarters, it expanded in 1925-26, moving the entrance east. Today, its historic architecture reflects a century of evolving library service, from restricted stacks to vibrant community spaces. 

Go behind the scenes for a guided tour of the Collections Room and Conservation Labs! Inspired by the architecture of the Perth County Courthouse and Registry Office, this 2015 building was purpose-built to preserve photographs, maps and other documents illuminating our communities' rich local history. For a quick visit, be sure to check out our Treasures Old and New exhibit!

Blowes Cards & Gifts occupies the historic Victorian Brandenberger Block, once home to the town’s first Festival Theatre box office and later a Loblaws grocery store. Original timber floors, decorative tin ceilings and a restored façade remain, and visitors can view the newly renovated upstairs, The Blowes Inn space, showcasing additional period details from its 19th-century origins

Founded in 1858, the Queen's Inn is Stratford's oldest continuously operating hotel, rebuilt in elegant Neo-Classical style in 1905. Long a gathering place at the heart of community life—and even hosting Queen Elizabeth II during her 1959 visit—the hotel is now being restored and transformed into a Marriott Tribute Portfolio property, continuing its tradition of hospitality in downtown Stratford.

The Stratford Perth Museum is a 5-acre site complemented by an 1870 Victorian buff brick house with an extension, woodlots, and trails. The home was built for Thomas Holliday, who purchased 100 acres on the Huron Road and raised 10 children with his wife, Mary Holliday. The family sold the property to Wesley Thurston in 1946 who developed an equine operation. The Museum's collection of over 35,000 artifacts now sits on the footprint of the Thurston horse barn.