Upcoming events
Cemetery Tours (cancelled)
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Tours of the Thompson Family Cemetery have been cancelled for today and will resume Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Tuesday, October 28, 205
6pm-7:30pm
SOLD OUT
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Cemetery Tours
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
SOLD OUT
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Cemetery Tours
Thursday, October 30, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Haunted High Tea
Thursday, October 30, 2025
6pm - 8pm
SOLD OUT
Set within the hauntingly beautiful historic Coach House building, we invite you to indulge in a unique and atmospheric Haunted High Tea experience. Serving delicious and savoury sandwiches, scones, sweets and selection of tea options. The experience will with a guided tour of the “Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities and Haunted Cemetery Tour” on the main level of the historic mansion, exploring the strange and macabre curiosities from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. Guests will then be led by lanterns to the Thompson family cemetery to hear a haunting tale of mourning rites and rituals around death. The event will conclude with the haunted high tea held in the Coach House.
Dress in your finest Halloween attire or simply come as you are - but keep your senses sharp, you never know what might be lurking around the corner…
Pre-registration required.
Christmas Tour & Cream Tea
Friday, November 28, 2025
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.
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
A Taste of the Holidays: Chiefswood & Ruthven
A Taste of the Holidays at Chiefswood & Ruthven Park
Saturday, November 29, 2025
$40 Per person
Step into the warmth and wonder of the holiday season with a guided tour through two of Haldimand County’s most cherished historic homes. Discover the legacy of celebrated Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson at Chiefswood National Historic Site, and experience the festive traditions of the Thompson family at Ruthven Park. This immersive journey blends Victorian-era charm, cultural storytelling, and seasonal indulgence—all set against the scenic backdrop of the Grand River.
Experience Highlights:
At Chiefswood National Historic Site, guests will explore the beautifully preserved 1850s Johnson family home, adorned in Victorian-era holiday décor. The guided tour offers rich storytelling and cultural insight, complemented by sweet treats like mincemeat tarts and sugar cookies. Visitors can enjoy seasonal beverages including Riverside Blend coffee, Earl Grey tea, mulled cider, and hot chocolate in a cozy, festive setting.
At Ruthven Park National Historic Site, the Thompson family mansion comes alive with period Christmas decorations and the Victorian Parlour Exhibit, featuring historical games and holiday pastimes. The tour concludes in the historic Coach House with a comforting spread of freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam, paired with aromatic teas, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Purchase Includes:
● Admission to Chiefswood National Historic Site
● Admission to Ruthven Park National Historic Site
● Access to Victorian-era holiday décor and exhibits
● Seasonal drinks: coffee, tea, cider, hot chocolate
● Seasonal culinary offerings
*Pre-registration required for each locations time-slots.
For questions regarding this event, please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca or for more details.
Holiday Tours by Donation
Sunday, November 30th, 2025
Tours: 11am - 4pm on-the-hour
Admission: A “give what you can” food donation per family, per location.
Embrace the magic of the holidays with a heartwarming day of history, culture, and community at two beloved heritage sites—Chiefswood Park and Ruthven Park. This unique seasonal event invites you to explore Victorian-era holiday traditions, family stories, enjoy festive activities for all ages, and support local families in need through a “give what you can” food donation.
Experience Highlights:
● Chiefswood Park: Explore the 1850s home of the Johnson family, beautifully adorned in authentic Victorian holiday décor. Enjoy guided tours rich with stories of life along the Grand River and the legacy of celebrated Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson. Children can join festive activities and enjoy sugar cookies and seasonal beverages in this riverside home “Where Cultures Meet.”
● Ruthven Park: Discover the Thompson family's Christmas traditions inside a grand Greek Revival mansion. The main floor glows with generations of holiday décor, while the Victorian Parlour Exhibit showcases historical games and seasonal pastimes. Cozy refreshments and cheerful children’s activities await in the historic Coach House.
Your ticket includes:
● Guided tours of both historic homes, on-the-hour 11am to 4pm.
● Engaging children’s activities at each location
● Seasonal treats: sugar cookies and beverages at Chiefswood, hot chocolate at Ruthven
● Leisurely exploration of both sites throughout the day
Celebrate history, culture, and community in one joyful day—where every visit helps support local families in need.
Pre-registration is for the entire day. Please register for your preferred date below, and you may schedule your preferred tour time on site as you reach each location.
Christmas Tour & Cream Tea
Friday, December 5, 2025
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.
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
A Taste of the Holidays: Chiefswood & Ruthven
A Taste of the Holidays at Chiefswood & Ruthven Park
Saturday, December 6, 2025
$40 Per person
Step into the warmth and wonder of the holiday season with a guided tour through two of Haldimand County’s most cherished historic homes. Discover the legacy of celebrated Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson at Chiefswood National Historic Site, and experience the festive traditions of the Thompson family at Ruthven Park. This immersive journey blends Victorian-era charm, cultural storytelling, and seasonal indulgence—all set against the scenic backdrop of the Grand River.
Experience Highlights:
At Chiefswood National Historic Site, guests will explore the beautifully preserved 1850s Johnson family home, adorned in Victorian-era holiday décor. The guided tour offers rich storytelling and cultural insight, complemented by sweet treats like mincemeat tarts and sugar cookies. Visitors can enjoy seasonal beverages including Riverside Blend coffee, Earl Grey tea, mulled cider, and hot chocolate in a cozy, festive setting.
At Ruthven Park National Historic Site, the Thompson family mansion comes alive with period Christmas decorations and the Victorian Parlour Exhibit, featuring historical games and holiday pastimes. The tour concludes in the historic Coach House with a comforting spread of freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam, paired with aromatic teas, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Purchase Includes:
● Admission to Chiefswood National Historic Site
● Admission to Ruthven Park National Historic Site
● Access to Victorian-era holiday décor and exhibits
● Seasonal drinks: coffee, tea, cider, hot chocolate
● Seasonal culinary offerings
*Pre-registration required for each locations time-slots.
For questions regarding this event, please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca or for more details.
Victorian Christmas Tour & High Tea
Saturday, December 6th 2025
6pm-8pm
$65 per person
Step back in time at Ruthven Park during our Victorian Christmas Tour experience! Experience the magic and wonderment of the the holidays through a special themed tour of the historic mansion where guests will be guided through a Victorian Christmas including an exclusive visit to the master bedroom decorated for the season! The experience will conclude with high tea in the historic Coach House. As guests sip their tea from a variety of tea options and enjoy the ambient sound of classical Christmas music, a set menu of delicious sandwiches, savoury bites, scones and sweets will be served making this evening an exquisite and unforgettable experience.
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
Holiday Tours by Donation
Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Tours: 11am - 4pm on-the-hour
Admission: A “give what you can” food donation per family, per location.
Embrace the magic of the holidays with a heartwarming day of history, culture, and community at two beloved heritage sites—Chiefswood Park and Ruthven Park. This unique seasonal event invites you to explore Victorian-era holiday traditions, family stories, enjoy festive activities for all ages, and support local families in need through a “give what you can” food donation.
Experience Highlights:
● Chiefswood Park: Explore the 1850s home of the Johnson family, beautifully adorned in authentic Victorian holiday décor. Enjoy guided tours rich with stories of life along the Grand River and the legacy of celebrated Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson. Children can join festive activities and enjoy sugar cookies and seasonal beverages in this riverside home “Where Cultures Meet.”
● Ruthven Park: Discover the Thompson family's Christmas traditions inside a grand Greek Revival mansion. The main floor glows with generations of holiday décor, while the Victorian Parlour Exhibit showcases historical games and seasonal pastimes. Cozy refreshments and cheerful children’s activities await in the historic Coach House.
Your ticket includes:
● Guided tours of both historic homes, on-the-hour 11am to 4pm.
● Engaging children’s activities at each location
● Seasonal treats: sugar cookies and beverages at Chiefswood, hot chocolate at Ruthven
● Leisurely exploration of both sites throughout the day
Celebrate history, culture, and community in one joyful day—where every visit helps support local families in need.
Pre-registration is for the entire day. Please register for your preferred date below, and you may schedule your preferred tour time on site as you reach each location.
Christmas Tour & Cream Tea
Friday, December 12, 2025
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.
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
A Taste of the Holidays: Chiefswood & Ruthven
A Taste of the Holidays at Chiefswood & Ruthven Park
Saturday, December 13, 2025
$40 Per person
Step into the warmth and wonder of the holiday season with a guided tour through two of Haldimand County’s most cherished historic homes. Discover the legacy of celebrated Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson at Chiefswood National Historic Site, and experience the festive traditions of the Thompson family at Ruthven Park. This immersive journey blends Victorian-era charm, cultural storytelling, and seasonal indulgence—all set against the scenic backdrop of the Grand River.
Experience Highlights:
At Chiefswood National Historic Site, guests will explore the beautifully preserved 1850s Johnson family home, adorned in Victorian-era holiday décor. The guided tour offers rich storytelling and cultural insight, complemented by sweet treats like mincemeat tarts and sugar cookies. Visitors can enjoy seasonal beverages including Riverside Blend coffee, Earl Grey tea, mulled cider, and hot chocolate in a cozy, festive setting.
At Ruthven Park National Historic Site, the Thompson family mansion comes alive with period Christmas decorations and the Victorian Parlour Exhibit, featuring historical games and holiday pastimes. The tour concludes in the historic Coach House with a comforting spread of freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam, paired with aromatic teas, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Purchase Includes:
● Admission to Chiefswood National Historic Site
● Admission to Ruthven Park National Historic Site
● Access to Victorian-era holiday décor and exhibits
● Seasonal drinks: coffee, tea, cider, hot chocolate
● Seasonal culinary offerings
*Pre-registration required for each locations time-slots.
For questions regarding this event, please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca or for more details.
Holiday Tours by Donation
Sunday, December 14th, 2025
Tours: 11am - 4pm on-the-hour
Admission: A “give what you can” food donation per family, per location.
Embrace the magic of the holidays with a heartwarming day of history, culture, and community at two beloved heritage sites—Chiefswood Park and Ruthven Park. This unique seasonal event invites you to explore Victorian-era holiday traditions, family stories, enjoy festive activities for all ages, and support local families in need through a “give what you can” food donation.
Experience Highlights:
● Chiefswood Park: Explore the 1850s home of the Johnson family, beautifully adorned in authentic Victorian holiday décor. Enjoy guided tours rich with stories of life along the Grand River and the legacy of celebrated Mohawk poetess E. Pauline Johnson. Children can join festive activities and enjoy sugar cookies and seasonal beverages in this riverside home “Where Cultures Meet.”
● Ruthven Park: Discover the Thompson family's Christmas traditions inside a grand Greek Revival mansion. The main floor glows with generations of holiday décor, while the Victorian Parlour Exhibit showcases historical games and seasonal pastimes. Cozy refreshments and cheerful children’s activities await in the historic Coach House.
Your ticket includes:
● Guided tours of both historic homes, on-the-hour 11am to 4pm.
● Engaging children’s activities at each location
● Seasonal treats: sugar cookies and beverages at Chiefswood, hot chocolate at Ruthven
● Leisurely exploration of both sites throughout the day
Celebrate history, culture, and community in one joyful day—where every visit helps support local families in need.
Pre-registration is for the entire day. Please register for your preferred date below, and you may schedule your preferred tour time on site as you reach each location.
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!
Pre-registration required.
Tickets are Non-Refundable.
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
Christmas Tour & Cream Tea
Friday, December 19, 2025
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.
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
Hogmanay High Tea
December 20th, 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!
For questions and inquiries please contact info@ruthvenpark.ca
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Monday, October 27, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
SOLD OUT
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Cemetery Tours
Monday, October 27, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Trick or Treat at Ruthven Park
Sunday, October 26, 2025
4pm-7pm
Join us for a special evening of ghostly fun at Ruthven Park! Special Halloween crafts and activities will be available in the historic Coach House for a howling good time! Then follow the lanterns to the front of the Mansion for a special treat!
Costumes Encouraged!
Admission is FREE!
Haunted Cemetery Tours by Donation will be offered every 30 minutes from 1pm to 5pm.
Thompson Family Cemetery Tours
Sunday, October 26, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Haunted High Tea
Saturday, October 25, 2025
6pm - 8pm
SOLD OUT
Set within the hauntingly beautiful historic Coach House building, we invite you to indulge in a unique and atmospheric Haunted High Tea experience. Serving delicious and savoury sandwiches, scones, sweets and selection of tea options. The experience will with a guided tour of the “Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities and Haunted Cemetery Tour” on the main level of the historic mansion, exploring the strange and macabre curiosities from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. Guests will then be led by lanterns to the Thompson family cemetery to hear a haunting tale of mourning rites and rituals around death. The event will conclude with the haunted high tea held in the Coach House.
Dress in your finest Halloween attire or simply come as you are - but keep your senses sharp, you never know what might be lurking around the corner…
Pre-registration required.
Thompson Family Cemetery Tours
Saturday, October 25, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Haunted High Tea
Friday, October 24, 2025
6pm - 8pm
SOLD OUT
Set within the hauntingly beautiful historic Coach House building, we invite you to indulge in a unique and atmospheric Haunted High Tea experience. Serving delicious and savoury sandwiches, scones, sweets and selection of tea options. The experience will with a guided tour of the “Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities and Haunted Cemetery Tour” on the main level of the historic mansion, exploring the strange and macabre curiosities from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. Guests will then be led by lanterns to the Thompson family cemetery to hear a haunting tale of mourning rites and rituals around death. The event will conclude with the haunted high tea held in the Coach House.
Dress in your finest Halloween attire or simply come as you are - but keep your senses sharp, you never know what might be lurking around the corner…
Pre-registration required.
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Thursday, October 23, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
$25 per person
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Haunted High Tea
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
6pm - 8pm
SOLD OUT
Set within the hauntingly beautiful historic Coach House building, we invite you to indulge in a unique and atmospheric Haunted High Tea experience. Serving delicious and savoury sandwiches, scones, sweets and selection of tea options. The experience will with a guided tour of the “Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities and Haunted Cemetery Tour” on the main level of the historic mansion, exploring the strange and macabre curiosities from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. Guests will then be led by lanterns to the Thompson family cemetery to hear a haunting tale of mourning rites and rituals around death. The event will conclude with the haunted high tea held in the Coach House.
Dress in your finest Halloween attire or simply come as you are - but keep your senses sharp, you never know what might be lurking around the corner…
Pre-registration required.
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
$25 per person
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Thompson Family Cemetery Tours
Sunday, October 19, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Thompson Family Cemetery Tours
Saturday, October 18, 2025
1pm-5pm
By Donation
The Thompson Family Cemetery Tours run every 30 minutes and are offered by donation. Guests will hear stories of the Thompson family, discover the symbolism carved into historic gravestones, and learn about Victorian burial practices.
Perfect for the season, these daytimes tours offer history with just a hint of mystery.
Please visit the Welcome Centre to register.
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Friday, October 17, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
$25 per person
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
$25 per person
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT
RUTHVEN PARK WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY OCTOBER 16TH FOR A PRIVATE EVENT.
THE PARK WILL RE-OPEN FOR OUR REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF 10AM TO 6PM ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 17TH
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
Mansion in Mourning: Oddities, Curiosities & Haunted Cemetery Tour
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
6pm-7:30pm
$25 per person
Enter a mansion draped in mourning, where superstition, sickness, and sorrow linger in the shadows. Discover strange practices and macabre curiosities born from the Victorians’ fascination with death and illness. From the mansion, follow a lantern-lit path to the haunted cemetery, where the grave digger shares grim tales of burials, mourning rites, and the rituals around death. The experience lasts approximately one hour and concludes in the Coach House for refreshments.
Disclaimer: This tour involves content around death, illness and disease that may not be suitable for all visitors. Please purchase tickets at your own discretion.
*Please note: The cemetery walk involves uneven ground and is roughly a 5 minute walk from the mansion
Cars in The Park
Ruthven Park’s 27th Annual Cars in the Park
Monday, October 13th 2025
10am-4pm
Admission $10 per car.
Rev up your engines and cruise on over to the most anticipated car show of the year! Whether you're a car enthusiast, a collector, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of finely crafted automobiles, this event is for you. It's a celebration of automotive history that you won't want to miss!
Dash Plaques for First 100 Cars, Alfie’s Lemonade, Concession Stand, Door Prizes, Historic House Tours, Cemetery Tours & Children’s Activities!
Please note: This is a rain-or-shine event. In the case of severe weather, Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel the event at the organizations discretion.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Invasive Species Pull - Volunteers Needed
Sunday, September 21, 2025
10:00am-1:00pm
Join our stewardship team as we work together to protect and improve our natural landscape. Volunteers will help remove invasive plant species that threaten the health of our local ecosystem.
Gloves and tools will be provided. Please bring water, lunch or snacks, sunscreen and appropriate closed-toed footwear.
As a thank-you, all participants are invited to stay after lunch and enjoy a free guided Mansion tour at 1pm.
To register as a volunteer, please “purchase” this free registration ticket below, or email info@ruthvenpark.ca
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Historic Mansion Tours
Visit the beautiful Greek Revival mansion of the Thompson family. This guided tour experience explores the 5 generations of the Thompson family, showcasing the first and second level of the exquisite 19th century mansion.
Tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm.
Tour length: 45 minutes
Visit the Welcome Centre to register.
*Please note that tours of the historic mansion are subject to unexpected changes or cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. We highly recommend contacting us prior to your visit to confirm tour availability and avoid any disappointment. Ruthven Park reserves the right to alter or cancel scheduled tours without prior notice. Thank you for your understanding.
Site Closed
The site will be closed Sunday, September 7, 2025 following our Celtic Festival on September 6, 2025. The site will re-open on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 10am, with the main grounds and Carriageway exhibit open until 4pm.
Please call our welcome centre (905) 772-0560 or email us at info@ruthvenpark.ca for more information regarding site closures.
Celtic Festival - September 6, 2025
Saturday, September 6th 2025
$15 per person
11am - 4pm
Step into a day of Celtic celebration at Ruthven Park! Enjoy live music, delicious food, highland cows, and a lively vendor market.
Bring the whole family to experience the Little Tracks Petting Zoo, children’s “Wee Bairns Play Area”, and exciting activities like street curling, historic mansion tours, Indiana cemetery walks. Step back in time as you explore the Jacobite reenactment camp–an unforgettable glimpse into history!
Must be 19+ to access Beer Gardens
Pets are not permitted on the site (except service animals).