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About Us

The Stratford-Perth Archives opened on January 13th 1972 as the Perth County Archives based on the Orr Collection and archival material from the Perth County Historical Collection. These collections had been growing at the Stratford Public Library since the early 1900s. The name was changed to the Stratford-Perth Archives in 1981. 

The Archives preserves, protects and makes available the documentary heritage, including municipal and school records, of Perth County and the City of Stratford. In accordance with a business plan approved by Perth County Council on May 10, 2007 The business plan gets updated every few months. You may read the business plan by clicking on the link below.

READ THE CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN

The mandate of the Stratford-Perth Archives with respect to acquisition of archival records is:

  • to act as official repository for archival records created by the City of Stratford, the County of Perth and the Municipalities of North Perth, West Perth, Perth South and Perth East, their predecessors and their agencies, boards and commissions
  • to acquire archival records from private sources that document the history and development of Stratford, Perth County, North Perth, West Perth, Perth South and Perth East with due respect for the acquisition mandates of cultural-heritage partners.

The mandate of the Stratford-Perth Archives with respect to access of archival records is:

  • as a public institution that is open and equally accessible to all researchers to make archival records acquired by the Stratford-Perth Archives available for research in accordance with sound archival practices, available resources, any legal or ethical obligations or restrictions, and having regard to any limitations arising from the physical integrity of the records;
  • to promote awareness of and appreciation for the heritage of the City of Stratford, the County of Perth and its member municipalities by facilitating access to archival records acquired by the Stratford-Perth Archives, offering outreach activities; and cooperating with other heritage and archival organizations
  • to provide copying and authorization services to ensure that the commercial and non-commercial use of its archives holdings is carried out in an appropriate manner, within all applicable legal restrictions and to the financial benefit of the City of Stratford, the County of Perth and the Municipalities of Perth South, Perth East, North Perth and West Perth
  • to administer access to archival records in accordance with such other policies, practices or guidelines as may from time to time be determined by municipal councils

The mandate of the Stratford-Perth Archives with respect to preservation and maintenance of archival records is:

  • to maintain proper environment, facilities and resources for preserving the archival records acquired by the Stratford-Perth Archives for as long as their continuing value endures
  • to promote the responsible care and handling of the archival records acquired by the Stratford-Perth Archives; and,
  • to carry out the function of preserving and maintaining the archival records acquired by the Stratford-Perth Archives in accordance with such other policies, practices or guidelines as may from time to time be determined by County, City and Municipal Councils

The Stratford-Perth Archives has three branches, located in:

  • Stratford

  • Mitchell

  • Listowel

The Archives is open to the public year round.  Genealogy, architecture, and local history are researched by local residents and out-of-county patrons.  Students use the facilities to research school projects.  Tours of the facilities are provided as well as work sessions for genealogy.

The Stratford-Perth Archives is funded by municipal taxes from the City of Stratford and the County of Perth.  There are user fees for out-of-county researchers as well as for other services.  Please see services for more information.

PCIN

 Reference books held at the archives are being added to the Perth County Information Network's  online database. To learn more about PCIN, please visit their website at www.pcin.on.ca.  

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24 St. Andrew Street, Stratford Ontario

   

© Stratford Perth Archives, 2002

Last modified October 21, 2009