Museum Exhibits
The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum offers the history of the community along the historic Rideau Canal Waterway and the CP Rail line. The building was originally built in 1863 for Joshua & Tameson Bates and family, who were operating a grist and wool carding mill next door at Old Slys Rapids. After a series of owners, the property was purchased by the Town in 1977 and restored as a museum, officially opening in June 1981.
The open concept first floor invites guests to step beyond the velvet ropes into Victorian period rooms, with artifacts that reflect the cultural heritage of Smiths Falls, during the 1860's - 1870's time period. The second storey offers an industrial history room and two community galleries with temporary seasonal exhibitions that showcase all aspects of local art and history.
The museum offers unique architectural features to take note of, including a mirror image facade (the front and the back of the house are identical) and the only two storey indoor outhouse remaining in Ontario.
2025 Exhibits & Art Shows
| Treasures from the Attic - February 22 - June 15 2025 |
| Showcasing a collection of photographs that are in the museum's collection in our large gallery. |
| Rideau Artist of the Year Showcase - June 2025 |
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The Rideau Artist of the Year Showcase features the art created during the Rideau Artist of the Year Competition on June 7th and 8th. More information regarding the Rideau Artist of the Year Competition and Showcase is to follow. |
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Old Home Week Retrospective: 100 Years in the Making - May 29 - October 5, 2025 |
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Celebrating Old Home Week 2025 through a look back at previous festivities. |
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CJET: The Faces of Radio - July 1 - October 5, 2025 |
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Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Smiths Falls radio station. |
| Smiths Falls Annual Art Show - November 2025 |
| The show features a variety of mediums, subjects and styles from artists based throughout the Ottawa Valley. Some of the pieces from the show will be for sale, at the discretion of each artist. More information about the 2025 Smiths Falls Annual Art Show is to follow. |
Museum Tours
Visits to the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum can include either a guided tour with one of the museums knowledgeable staff members or a self guided tour through the museum. Larger groups (10 or more people) are asked to contact the museum ahead of visiting to prepare for your visit.
| House Tour |
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Taking visitors through the museum's restored period rooms, museum guides will show you how the Bates and Ward families lived in the 1860's and 1870's. Both families were former residents of the home and were rival mill owners in Smiths Falls. Regular tour admission rates apply. |
| Old Slys Outdoor Tour |
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The Old Slys Outdoor Tour takes visitors through the grounds of the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum, leading to the Old Slys rapids, located at beside the museum. During this tour visitors will learn about the geography of the area, the significance of the land and the flora and fauna of the area.
The tours will be done by appointment only. Old Slys Outdoor Tours cost $10 per person.
For any questions regarding the ground tours, please contact the Heritage House Museum at 613-283-6311 or by emailing us at heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca.
*Please note that we do ask participants to wear long pants as there may be some areas with longer grass. Also, we ask that you do dress according to the weather for the day of your tour.
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| Smiths Falls Ghost Tours |
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Tip toe through the candlelit corridors of the Smiths Falls Heritage House as a costumed interpreter leads you through tales of local ghost sightings, oral traditions and mysterious happenings of the Smiths Falls area and the museum. Each story has been discreetly shared by local residents, carefully selected from local news articles or experienced by museum staff and volunteers working in this eerily beautiful 1860's home.
Pre-registration for Ghost Tours is required. Tour costs are $10 per person.
For more information, please contact the museum by phone at 613-283-6311 or by email at heritagehouse@smithsfalls.ca.
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Self-Guided Tour Options |
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The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum offers Ipad tours (available due to limited access to the top floor of the house), as well as self-guided tour books in English, French, German, Simplified and Traditional Mandarin. |
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