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Ridge House Museum
Ridge House Museum, Ridgetown

Ridge House Museum


​Ridge House Museum opens for the season on June 1, 2024.

Visit Ridge House on PA Days!

Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Thursday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm (admission by donation)

Address: 53 Erie Street South, Ridgetown, Ontario N0P 2C0

Email: ckridgehouse@chatham-kent.ca


The Ridge House Museum is a restored 1875 Victorian home in the charming town of Ridgetown, Ontario. A part of the Arts and Culture division of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Located in the original residence of Mr. and Mrs. George Mulholland, the modest middle-class family home in Ridgetown was constructed in 1875 for $200. As most were built in rural areas at this time, the house was designed as a typical Gothic revival home with a symmetrical floor plan, front and side porches, and a single front gable above the centre front door.

As Ridgetown was gearing up for the town's 1975 centennial celebration, the Ridgetown Rotary Club purchased the house as their centennial project. With the guidance of the Ridgetown & District Historical Society, the Ridge House Museum was born.

Established to collect and preserve artifacts and specimens significant to the area represented by Ridgetown and the former Howard Township, the Ridge House Museum presents and promotes the history of this region.


Discovery Den

Let your kid's imagination grow in our fun-filled, interactive, totally hands-on, innovative, and creative space at Ridge House Museum. Have fun with the whole family while exploring the history of Ridge House.

From light-up tables to magnet walls, there is much to keep everyone engaged with each visit. Enjoy time together in this natural-themed space by making new monthly crafts, and playing with different building materials and games. Features include a magnetic wall, light tablescraft tables, games and a kitchen playset.

PA Day Club - Blooming Art

Friday, April 26, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 am | Ages 6-12 | $10

Flowers can be a beautiful gift, but fresh-cut flowers don't last very long. So let's learn how to make their beauty last forever and create a lovely print with some of our favourite springtime flowers.

Register for Blooming Art

PA Day Club - Summer Fun Awaits

Friday, June 7, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 am | Ages 6-12 | $10

June is the perfect month to dust off your lawn games and get a head start on summer fun! Join us at the Ridge House Museum to create your very own set of graces and challenge your friends and family with this fun Victorian ring toss game.

Register for Summer Fun

Creative Kids - Wonderful Wreaths

Saturday, June 22, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 am | Ages 6-12 | FREE - Sponsored by Salus Mutual

Did you know that Victorians used hair to make flowers for wreaths? Well today, let's practice this art of flower making, but with yarn! Join us at the Ridge House Museum as we make an assortment of yarn flowers for a summertime wreath to display in your room or give as a gift!

Register for Wonderful Wreaths

School Programs - Book a Field Trip

History comes to life in inspiring and exciting ways at the CK Municipal Museums. Our engaging education programs are designed to support and enhance the lessons taught in your classroom. Email our program coordinator at ckridgehouse@chatham-kent.ca for more information.


Information & Services

Parking: Parking is provided free of charge. The parking lot is located on Oak Street.

Amenities: Climate controlled for your comfort and for the protection of our artifacts.

Accessibility: The museum is not currently wheelchair accessible. We would be pleased to accommodate you in any way we can, please contact the museum to arrange alternative access.

Tour Groups

The Ridge House Museum welcomes bus tours as well as church, school, and special interest groups year-round by appointment. Please call at least three weeks in advance to book your tour. Cost: $5.00 per person (minimum 10 people per tour). Refreshments are available for an additional fee.

Explore Ridge House Museum with a guided tour as you take in what life was like in 1875. Get creative in our hands-on interactive space, the Discovery Den, as you make crafts, play games, or design on our magnet wall or light table. There is something for everyone at the Ridge House Museum! Call 519-360-1998 or email ckridgehouse@chatham-kent.ca.

Advisory Committee

This committee's primary responsibilities are to ensure that the collection entrusted to the museum's care is adequately housed, conserved and documented. Visit Committees of Council for meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.

Collections & Research

A collection of artifacts or archival materials is the foundation for every museum. The Ridge House Museum collection includes approximately 4,000 artifacts, photographic images, documents, and correspondence. These artifacts and archival materials are the basis of museum exhibitions, research, and programming. Please contact the museum with your research inquiry. Reproductions of archival materials may be acquired by following these How to Obtain Reproductions.


Volunteers

The museum is committed to providing meaningful volunteer opportunities including advisory committee members, curatorial assistants, museum attendants or program assistants. To learn more about these positions or the recruitment process, please email us at ckridgehouse@chatham-kent.ca.