During the off-season, Napanee’s picturesque historical home sits still and calm, holding the memories of the Macpherson family and early Napanee. After months of planning and preparation, we are ready to open its doors to the public again on July 2nd for a fun filled summer. The beautiful garden and parkland is the perfect spot to escape the busyness of life and take a step back in time. The house is open Wednesday afternoons for tours, and special events are offered Tuesdays to Thursdays from 1:00-4:00pm.  

After spending the last few weeks of spring with almost 650 local students at the Macpherson House, there is a feeling of excitement within the walls. An eagerness to hear the stories of the Macpherson family, walk in the same footsteps they would have taken, and make connections to what life was like c1830 in Napanee. The students learned all about butter making (and eating), historic toys, discovering secret passage ways and of course loved dressing up.  

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This summer we invite you to join us as the Museum Takes Flight. In collaboration with the L&A County Museums summer traveling exhibit from the Museum of Nature, Our Feathered Friends, we will be hosting a number of nature friendly programs at the Macpherson House. From succulent fairy gardens and birdhouse making, to pollinator gardens and catching the buzz on bees, there will be programs for all nature lovers.  A traveling trunk birding exhibit will also be available at the Macpherson House for the summer months to do your own nature walk and exploration in the parkland.

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We are also continuing the tradition of offering arts programs with local artists demonstrating pottery, puppet making, cartooning with Tim Nimigan and even a sneak peek with Peggy Collins of her new book. As a special addition to the Demonstration Days offered on Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the summer, Dufflebag Theatre, Applefun Puppetry and Barefoot Players will be returning to the house for some theatrical fun.  Three evening performances will also be happening Under the Stars at the Macpherson House. Family friendly concerts by Fiddle Fire and the Kitchen Gypsies will have you dancing in your seats (or for many, out of your seats). Returning to the Macpherson house this summer is Toronto based Driftwood Theatre, who will be performing Shakespeare’s A (Musical) Midsummer’s Night Dream. For information on admission and event times please visit our website

In my last blog, I touched on the addition of our new kid’s space at the Museum.  I have it all set up and ready for littles (and bigs) to come in, learn and enjoy; don’t forget the activities will be changing throughout the summer! Follow us on Facebook @CountyMuseum to get the updates of when the changes are happening so you do not miss out. This summer, we are also offering events for you to enjoy while taking in the exhibits at the Museum. The Little Red Theatre will be performing Firebird, Glocca Morra Farms will be doing a workshop of Liquid Glass Feathers, and bird specialists from the Kingston Field Naturalists and Queen’s Biological Centre will be talking about ways you can help our local feathered friends. Guests will even have the opportunity to get Nature Photography tips from the talented Bill Bickle.  

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This summer there will be something for everyone to enjoy at the L&A County Museum and Macpherson House. I cannot wait to see all of the familiar faces back and of course to welcome new ones into our world of History and Fun. Looking forward to making tomorrows history with you this summer!