Upcoming events

A Taste of the Holidays

A Taste of the Holidays at Chiefswood & Ruthven Park
November 29, December 6 & 13 2025
$40 Per person
Celebrate the season with a cozy and culture-rich holiday experience at Chiefswood National Historic Site and Ruthven Park National Historic Site!
At Chiefswood, explore the 1850s Johnson family home dressed in Victorian holiday décor. Enjoy a guided storytelling of the family history followed with an offering of mincemeat tarts, sugar cookies, and option of Riverside Blend coffee, Earl Grey tea, mulled cider, or hot chocolate, all served in a warm, festive setting.
At Ruthven Park, step into the Thompson mansion for a guided experience adorned with period Christmas decorations and special Victorian Parlour Exhibit. Then head to the historic Coach House for a comforting spread of freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, paired with aromatic teas, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Your ticket includes admission to both sites, guided tours, seasonal treats, and drinks. Tickets are non-refundable and time slots are pre-assigned.

Tickets
Holiday Tours by Donation: Chiefswood & Ruthven Park

November 30, December 7 & 14
Guided tours every half hour from 11AM–4PM
Admission: “Give what you can” food donation per family, per site
Drop-ins welcome!
Celebrate the season with a joyful day of history, culture, and community at two beautifully decorated heritage homes!
Chiefswood Park: Step into the 1850s Johnson family home, adorned in authentic Victorian holiday décor. Enjoy guided tours rich with stories of Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson and the life in a home “Where Cultures Meet.” Kids can join festive crafts and activities Treats include sugar cookies and seasonal drinks like mulled cider, hot chocolate, and tea, all served in a beautiful historic setting.
Ruthven Park: Explore the Thompson family’s Greek Revival mansion, glowing with generations of Christmas décor. Discover the Victorian Parlour Exhibit featuring historical games and holiday pastimes. Children’s activities in the Coach House Sip hot chocolate and enjoy a warm welcome in this grand historic space
All donations support the Cayuga & Six Nations food banks

Tickets
Christmas Tour & Cream Tea

Every Friday evening
December 5th - December 19th
5pm-7pm
$25 per person
Experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of the Thompson family, as their traditions unfold across generations. Wander through the beautifully adorned halls of the historic mansion and immerse yourself in the charm of our Victorian Parlour Exhibit, where a display of family games, conversation pieces and holiday pastimes bring yuletide history to life.
Each 45-minute guided tour is a cozy blend of nostalgia and wonder, culminating in a warm gathering at the Coach House. There, you'll be treated to fresh-baked scones and your choice of tea, coffee, or rich hot chocolate, a perfect ending to a festive evening.

Tickets
Hogmanay High Tea

December 18th, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm
$65 per person
Join us in celebrating the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay during our Hogmanay High Tea event! Purchase includes a main level tour of the historic mansion exploring the traditions of Christmases past through the various generations of the Thompson family. The experience will conclude with high tea in the beautifully decorated Coach House and a special bagpipe performance. High tea includes a set menu of delicious sandwiches, savoury bites, scones and sweets with a variety of tea options!

Tickets

NOTICE

Use trails at own risk during inclement weather.
Trails are subject to intermittent closures.

TOURS & EVENTS

CALENDAR

BIRD BANDING

Click below to learn more about our bird banding program, migrating seasons and ways to get involved!

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Land Acknowledgement

Ruthven Park National Historic Site Inc. gratefully acknowledges that Ruthven Park is established on land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples for millennia. As Canadians, we are thankful for the opportunity to live, work, and play here and we thank all those who have served and continue to serve as stewards of this special place. Recognizing the important contributions of Indigenous peoples is consistent with our commitment to making the promise of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities.