Stratford-perth Museum

What Stratford-perth Museum does

Stratford Perth Museum is a Canadian non-profit regional history museum located at 4275 Huron Road in Stratford, Ontario, founded in 1997. It operates a single 5-acre facility that houses over 20 permanent and rotating exhibitions, an online collection search system, and outdoor heritage trails. Its flagship is the Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom exhibit (open indefinitely since February 2018), which leverages personal artifacts loaned or donated by the Bieber family and has attracted thousands of international visitors. The museum's content portfolio spans local military history (Perth Regiment Virtual Exhibit covering 1856-1965), Black history in Perth County (We've Been Here, developed with Stratford-Perth Archives, Buxton National Historic Site, and community curators), agricultural heritage, signature quilts (24 quilts spanning 1881-2000), and regional industries including the Kroehler Manufacturing Company furniture legacy and the railway hub era.

The museum operates a multi-channel community-led and event-driven go-to-market: walk-in visitors purchase tiered admission ($7-$15 CAD; families $30), with premium VIP backstage tours of the Bieber exhibit at $36. Educational programming includes curriculum-connected school programs, the Busy Hands craft workshop series ($15-$100+ per participant), Cyanotype and Winter's Quiet printmaking workshops using a 250-year-old press, the Art of the Hustle youth workshop, Tales & Trails StoryWalk, and P.A. Day camps. It generates additional revenue through event venue rentals, gift shop and online Bieber Tours merchandise sales (Shopify storefront), annual memberships, and donations via CanadaHelps. It also runs the Creatures of Light outdoor installation (from December 2025) and a 6-episode Kroehler podcast series.

The museum serves a diverse mix of segments: tourists and day visitors, school groups and educators, local families, private event bookers, nature/culture enthusiasts, and international Justin Bieber fans. It operates with a small team (1-10 employees led by Managing Director Kelly McIntosh) and is funded through a blend of earned revenue, community sponsorships (Hyde Construction, Arden Park Hotel, KDB Law, Blowes Stationery), and grants (Stratford Destination Development Fund, RTO4, Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation). Distribution is via physical visits, Yapsody online ticketing, Shopify merchandise, school outreach, and venue rental inquiries.

Name

Stratford-perth Museum

Legal name

Stratford Perth Museum

Website

https://stratfordperthmuseum.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stratford Perth Museum is a Canadian non-profit regional history museum in Stratford, Ontario, operating exhibits, educational programs, and venue rentals for tourists, school groups, local families, and event bookers, with the Justin Bieber Steps to Stardom exhibit as its flagship attraction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Museum and Heritage Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

History Museums (THAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Regional history museum
• Educational school programs
• Museum exhibition curation
• Heritage venue rentals
• Hands-on workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Stratford

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Museum entry fees charged to visitors with tiered pricing for adults, seniors, students, children, and families. Includes access to all museum galleries and the Justin Bieber exhibit.
2. VIP Tours and Experiences: Premium backstage pass experiences for the Justin Bieber Steps to Stardom exhibit including personalized guided tours, hands-on sessions with artifacts, and photo opportunities.
3. Gift Shop Sales: Retail merchandise sales through on-site shop and online Bieber Tours store.
4. Event Venue Rental: Spaces rented for private events, community gatherings, and special occasions through Book an Event/Rent our Spaces program.
5. Membership Program: Annual memberships offering free admission to members, providing recurring revenue and customer loyalty.
6. Donations: Charitable donations accepted through CanadaHelps platform, supporting museum operations and special projects.
7. Workshop Fees: Educational programming including Busy Hands Workshops, youth programs, and special skill-building sessions with fees ranging from $15 to $100+ per participant.
8. School Programs: Curriculum-connected educational programs for school groups with 2-4 station formats at various price points.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Stratford Perth Museum is a not-for-profit regional heritage museum that preserves and interprets Stratford-Perth history through permanent and rotating exhibits (including the internationally recognized Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom exhibit), school and public educational programs, hands-on craft workshops, and event venue rentals on a 5-acre property in Stratford, Ontario. It also sells merchandise through an on-site gift shop and online store, and accepts donations and grants to support operations and special projects.

Product overview

The Stratford Perth Museum operates as a regional history museum offering a portfolio of exhibits, educational programs, and visitor experiences. Its flagship offering is the Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom exhibit (open indefinitely since 2018), complemented by rotating seasonal exhibits, permanent historical collections (including a Signature Quilt Collection of 24 quilts and military history exhibits), and a range of educational programs such as the Busy Hands craft workshop series and school programs. The museum also offers premium experiences including VIP backstage tours of the Bieber exhibit and outdoor attractions like the Creatures of Light installation on Heritage Trails. Educational offerings include youth workshops, the Kroehler Podcast Series, and Tales & Trails StoryWalk programming. The museum generates revenue through admission fees (Adults $15, Seniors/Students $12, Children $7, Families $30), VIP tour packages ($36), workshop fees, event space rental, and membership programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom Exhibit Signature permanent exhibit featuring artifacts, memorabilia, and personal items from pop star Justin Bieber including his Grammy award for 'Peaches', wedding items, and clothing; included with general admission and targeted at Bieber fans and general visitors.
• VIP Backstage Tour Premium guided tour add-on ($36 CAD) offering behind-the-scenes access to the Bieber exhibit including hands-on sessions with memorabilia, a Polaroid photoshoot, and full museum access; targeted at Bieber fans seeking an enhanced visit.
• Sharing An Adventure Exhibit Fantasy-themed family exhibit running May 2026 through Spring 2027 featuring interactive elements including goblin riddles, dragon photobooth, and treasure activities for families.
• Creatures of Light Installation Outdoor nature installation on Heritage Trails featuring illuminated art representing five local species, available dusk to dawn from December 20, 2025, with Indigenous oral history and biodiversity interpretive audio content.
• Till The Curtains Rise Exhibit Historical exhibit exploring the vaudeville history of the Till family marionette performers, including Royal Till marionettes and displays addressing historical entertainment culture controversies.
• Railway Century Exhibit Historical exhibit telling the story of Stratford as a railway hub and the prosperity railways brought to Perth County farmers and businesses.
• Hidden Qualities: Kroehler Manufacturing Company Exhibit Historical exhibit showcasing Stratford's furniture industry history and the Kroehler Manufacturing Company's 70-year legacy and community contributions.
• Brooks Steam Car Exhibit Historical exhibit featuring the Brooks Steam Motors Manufacturing plant scandal and one of only 8 remaining Brooks Steam Cars in existence.
• Perth Regiment Virtual Exhibit Online exhibit documenting the history of the Perth Regiment from 1856 to 1965, covering the militia period, World War One, and World War Two, with personal soldier stories; accessible online for remote visitors.
• Signature Quilt Collection Permanent collection of 24 signature quilts from Perth County spanning 1881 to 2000, including World War fundraising quilts, church quilts, family commemorative quilts, and school quilts.
• The Art of the Hustle: Youth Workshop Youth workshop (ages 15+) focused on developing resumes, portfolios, and Electronic Press Kits (EPK) for careers in creative arts and music.
• Cyanotype Workshop Photography workshop teaching the 19th-century cyanotype photographic process, using UV light to create blue-toned prints with botanical materials and photo negatives ($85 plus tax per participant).
• Busy Hands Workshops Series of hands-on craft workshops for adults and families including beeswax candle making, pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs), vermicomposting, weaving, sashiko embroidery, lavender basket weaving, tatting, and letterpress printing ($15 to $100+ per workshop).
• Winter's Quiet: Holiday Card Workshop Holiday-themed workshop combining poetry writing with traditional printmaking using a 250-year-old printing press to create handcrafted holiday cards ($75 plus tax for a 2-session workshop including materials).
• Tales & Trails StoryWalk Outdoor literacy adventure combining the TD Summer Reading Club StoryWalk on Heritage Trails with bilingual story display and accessible audio versions.
• School Programs Curriculum-connected in-classroom and remote learning programs for Ontario school groups, including multi-station hands-on workshops and Justin Bieber VIP tours.
• Event Space Rental Venue rental service for events with museum spaces available for bookings for community gatherings, celebrations, weddings, and corporate functions.
• Museum Gift Shop and Bieber Tours Online Store Retail merchandise sold on-site at the museum and through the Bieber Tours online Shopify store, including Bieber-themed merchandise for local visitors and international fans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of visitors attracted annually from around the world including Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, and family members
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hyde ConstructioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the Justin Bieber Steps to Stardom exhibit. Provides financial support enabling the museum to maintain and enhance this signature exhibition that drives significant visitor traffic.
• Stratford-Perth ArchivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary consultant and collaborator for the We've Been Here Black History exhibit. Provides historical records, photographs, documents, and expert guidance on local history preservation and interpretation.
• Buxton National Historic Site and MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultant for Black History project series, providing expertise on Underground Railroad history and Black settlement in the region. Helps address deficits in local historical records.
• Stratford FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum is co-located in Stratford's cultural destination area. Cross-promotional relationship with exhibits complementing Stratford Festival productions (e.g., Treasure Island, Lion Witch and Wardrobe, Tom Patterson Theatre). Stratford Festival Archives collaborates on exhibits.
• Garvia Bailey and HAUI (Community Curators)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity curators for We've Been Here Black History exhibit, bringing expertise in truth-telling and inclusive historical narratives. HAUI also created Aunt Harriet film installation.
• Stratford Destination Development FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Creatures of Light outdoor heritage trail installations celebrating Indigenous oral history and biodiversity.
• Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for Stories From Our Community digital exhibit component of Creatures of Light installation.
• Upper Thames River Conservation AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Creatures of Light installation providing zoological descriptions and ecological information about local wildlife species for heritage trail interpretation.
• Jade Ferguson (Historian Consultant)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorian consultant for Black History project series, providing academic expertise for accurate historical interpretation.
• Stratford Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Tales & Trails StoryWalk initiative combining literacy, physical activity, and nature education through TD Summer Reading Club.
• Rotary Club of StratfordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Tales & Trails StoryWalk initiative supporting literacy and community engagement programs.
• CanadaHelpsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline donation platform enabling charitable giving to support museum operations and special projects.
• The Arden Park HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous supporter of Hidden Qualities: Kroehler Manufacturing Company exhibit, providing funding for exhibit development.
• KDB LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonor supporting Black History project series.
• Blowes Stationery & Office Supplies Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Art of the Hustle youth workshop program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Buxton National Historic Site and Museum: Ontario-based museum focused on Black settlement history and the Underground Railroad. Directly comparable because it is a similar-sized regional history museum in southwestern Ontario that the Stratford Perth Museum actively partners with on Black history exhibits, overlapping subject matter and audience.
• Waterloo Region Museum: Regional museum in southwestern Ontario with permanent galleries, rotating exhibits, educational programming, and event rental. Comparable scope of activities (history preservation, school programs, venue rental) and Ontario non-profit operating model.
• Fanshawe Pioneer Village: Ontario heritage village and open-air museum with costumed interpreters, school programs, and event rentals. Comparable in outdoor heritage exhibits, school program offerings, and rural Ontario visitor destination model.
• Joseph Brant Museum: Ontario community museum operated by a municipality with local history exhibits, educational programs, and special events. Comparable in programming model, scale, and target audience for school groups and local families.
• Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA): Integrated Ontario municipal museum combining art gallery, local history museum, and archives with educational programming and event rental. Comparable multi-discipline museum model serving a defined Ontario catchment with mixed art, history, and exhibits.
• Huron County Museum: Small-to-mid-sized regional history museum in rural southwestern Ontario offering permanent and rotating exhibits, education programs, and gift shop. Comparable in operating scale, rural Ontario geography, and community museum business model.
• Simcoe County Museum: Mid-sized Ontario county museum with permanent and rotating exhibits, school programs, and event venue rental. Comparable in scale, programming mix, and rural Ontario non-profit museum operations.
• Museum of Ontario Archaeology: Specialty Ontario museum focused on archaeology and Indigenous history with educational programs and rotating exhibits. Comparable in subject-matter focus on local/regional heritage and education-driven operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Grammy Museum: Established music-themed museum in Los Angeles with musical artifact exhibits, VIP experiences, and educational programming. Comparable as a music memorabilia-focused museum with premium VIP tour offerings — but operates at a much larger scale and in a major urban market.
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Major music-themed museum and cultural institution with permanent and rotating exhibits, premium experiences, and educational programming. Comparable as a music/pop-culture museum with VIP-style premium experiences, but operates at a far larger institutional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StratfordPerthMuseum
• Instagraminstagram.com/stratfordperthmuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stratford-perth-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stratford-perth Museum