© 2025 Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
All Rights Reserved.
We are dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone. If you need any accommodations, please contact us in advance, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Open seasonally, June 1 to August 31
Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Thursdays, 11:00am – 7:00pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Located in the heart of Ridgetown, Ontario, the Ridge House Museum is a beautifully restored Victorian home built in 1875. Once the residence of George and Sarah Mulholland, this charming Gothic Revival house offers a glimpse into everyday life in rural Ontario during the late 19th century.
Originally purchased by the Ridgetown Rotary Club as part of the town’s 1975 centennial celebrations, the home was transformed into a museum with the help of the Ridgetown & District Historical Society. Today, it preserves and shares the stories, artifacts, and heritage of Ridgetown and the former Howard Township.
Proudly operated by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Arts and Culture division, the Ridge House Museum connects the community to its past in a warm and welcoming setting.
George Mulholland purchased the lot at 53 Erie Street for $85.00 in 1874. The lot was originally part of the William Marsh farm but had been cleared and subdivided. Chestnut and Oak Streets had been surveyed at this time as well.
The house was built in 1875 for $200. With a population of 1027, Ridgetown was incorporated as a village that same year.
Mulholland, his wife, and their eleven children were the first residents, but they lived there for only two years. Little is known about the Mulholland family after they left Ridgetown.
The house was sold in 1877 for $450 to Ben Shupe. In 1884, the house was sold to Alex Clark for $800. It was owned by David Watterworth and then by Dr. David Green before it was sold to Charles Scane, who served as one of Ridgetown’s first councillors, in 1890. The house adjoined Mr. Scane’s large sawmill, lumber yard, and sash and door factory. The house was purchased by Karl Mayhew in 1918 and sold to Percy Galbraith the following year. The Galbraith family lived in the house until it was sold in 1974.
In 1974, the Ridgetown Rotary Club purchased the house to restore it to its 1875 appearance as the club’s centennial project. It was restored as a typical middle-class home of 1875 in partnership with the Ridgetown & District Historical Society. Ridge House Museum officially opened in December 1975.
The house is built in a 19th-century style referred to as Gothic Revival. This style can be seen on everything from grand houses to cottages to university buildings and is characterized by symmetrical layouts and highly decorative features. On houses and cottages, the Gothic Revival style often features a high peaked front gable and a full porch with decorative wood detailing called gingerbread work.
The story of the Ridge House Museum begins in 1874, when George Mulholland purchased a lot at 53 Erie Street in Ridgetown, Ontario, for just $85. The land had once been part of the William Marsh farm but had recently been cleared and subdivided as the town began to grow. Streets like Chestnut and Oak were already being surveyed, setting the stage for a new chapter in Ridgetown’s development.
In 1875, the same year Ridgetown was officially incorporated as a village with a population of 1,027, Mulholland built a modest but charming home on the lot for $200. He and his wife raised their eleven children there—though only for a short time. After just two years, the Mulholland family moved on, and little is known about their life beyond Ridgetown.
Over the next century, the house changed hands many times, each owner adding their own story to its walls. It was sold in 1877 to Ben Shupe for $450, then in 1884 to Alex Clark for $800. Ownership later passed to David Watterworth and then to Dr. David Green. In 1890, the house was purchased by Charles Scane, one of Ridgetown’s first town councillors, who lived next door to his sawmill, lumber yard, and sash and door factory. Later owners included Karl Mayhew in 1918 and Percy Galbraith in 1919. The Galbraith family remained in the home until 1974.
That year marked a turning point. As Ridgetown prepared to celebrate its centennial in 1975, the local Rotary Club purchased the house as their commemorative project. Partnering with the Ridgetown & District Historical Society, they restored the home to reflect its original 1875 appearance as a typical middle-class Victorian residence. In December 1975, the Ridge House Museum officially opened to the public.
The house itself is a beautiful example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture—a style seen across Ontario in everything from cottages to cathedrals. It features a symmetrical layout, a steep front gable, and decorative wood trim known as “gingerbread” detailing. Inside, the home reflects the practical choices of the era: softwood floors (common for middle-class homes) painted to hide scuff marks, and simple but thoughtful design throughout.
Today, the Ridge House Museum stands as a window into the past—preserving the story of early life in Ridgetown and celebrating the families, trades, and traditions that shaped the community.
The Ridge House Museum offers guided tours that highlight local history and the Victorian, middle-class lifestyle. Museum staff and volunteers are trained, following AODA, to offer assistance where required, such as:
To complement these exhibits, the Ridge House Museum offers a variety of curriculum-based school programs, public programs and special events.
This is not the original staircase from Ridge House. When the Ridgetown Rotary Club began their restoration work in 1975, it was discovered that the original staircase was too damaged to salvage. This staircase was donated to the museum by the McKinley Funeral Home on Main Street in Ridgetown. The building that housed the funeral home was once been the home of a wealthy family and so this staircase is made of higher quality materials and is more ornate.
A calling card was a small, decorative paper card that was carried by individuals to present themselves to others. Calling cards were in fashion for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. They were carried by both men and women and could be purchased at a printer for around 25 cents for a pack of ten in 1875. The cards would be custom printed with your name. Calling cards were left at homes, sent to individuals, or exchanged in person for various social purposes.
While the calling card shelf was more commonly an upper class feature, it was not out of the question for a middle class home like Ridge House to have one, especially if the family intended to be upwardly mobile.
The Ridge House did not have electricity in 1875. Oil lamps would have been used throughout the house for light, like the one hanging from the ceiling in the entrance. Oil lamps were high maintenance, requiring frequent cleaning to keep the light bright and prevent fires.
The woodwork between the dining room and parlour is known as fretwork and is common in Victorian homes.
The dining room was used by adults while the children ate in the kitchen under the supervision of a maid or their grandmother. The small stove could have been used to make tea for visitors. It would have also been a good source of heat for the dining room and parlour.
This bookcase, made of burled walnut, was made by Robert Smith of Chatham for his daughter Louisa Jane’s wedding to Arthur Delmege in 1881. The book case was made in two sections – the bottom half has a drawer that can be pulled out and folded down to be used as a writing desk and the top half would be a fine place to house books.
The dishes on the top shelf of the bookcase are trimmed in 24 karat gold and would have been quite expensive. A middle-class family would likely not have had such an extravagant set. This particular set of dishes was made in the 1880s-90s.
The dishes on the lower shelves of the bookcase are in a style known as “flow blue.” The name comes from the blurry quality of the blue lines. The graphics on the dishes are created in a printing process called transferware. The dishes and graphics were mechanically produced, making the dishes more economical.
Both the sideboard and dining table were made by Augustus Liebner, a cabinet maker from Morpeth. They are both made of walnut wood, a widely available native wood in the 19th century. These pieces are examples of his early work and are quite simple.
Mr. Liebner’s portrait is on the wall beside the bookcase.
Look closely at this picture and you’ll see that the infant seated on a lap in the front has been superimposed onto the photograph. It was long thought that this child had passed away before the photograph was taken and was subsequently added to the portrait as a memorial. This was not an uncommon practice in the Victorian era.
Later research uncovered a first-hand account from the photographer of the day the photo was taken. Victorian photos took a while to expose properly, and as such, the subjects needed to be still for long enough to complete the exposure. The infant just could not keep still for the photographer and was photographed separately. The photographer used a photo montage process to add the baby to the family print.
The Magic Lantern was used for both entertainment purposes as well as for educational purposes. Travelling lantern shows were popular. Colourful glass slides would be placed in the slot, and the light from the oil lamp would reflect off mirrors inside. The image would be projected onto a white sheet. Stories could be told along with the slides, essentially creating the first movies.
The pantry is where the family stored all their cooking essentials. Industrialization had brought consumer goods to Ridgetown by 1875, but it was still necessary to reuse and recycle bottles, tins, and other containers into milk pitchers, cookie cutters and other useful household goods.
The washbasin may have been in this room, used to clean up after dinner, but also to prepare fruits and vegetables for cooking.
Cubed and granulated sugar did not appear on store shelves until very late in the 19th century. A sugarloaf wrapped in paper was the most common delivery method for sugar.
A middle-class home like Ridge House would have used a middling sugar; not pure white, but of a beige tone wrapped in blue or brown paper. A small amount of fine sugar may have been reserved for the company. Golden or dark brown sugar was also kept for cakes and cookies.
To use sugar, a knife or tongs were used to break lumps off – hence the term “one lump or two” when preparing tea.
In 1875, the house would not have had a full basement. The root cellar would have been a cold spot in the summer and the frost-free area in the winter to store food products such as eggs, milk, vegetables, salted and smoked meats, and fruits.
More than just a landing, this hallway is a working space. It provided a convenient area for a mother to look after sewing while children played in their bedroom or the attic.
This large chest was used for hat storage. Hats were an important fashion item and, in the 1870s, they were quite ornate. Ladies did not wear hats when at home, but it was in poor taste to leave the house without one.
The sewing machine was made by the White Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Ohio and is operated by a foot pedal. It is placed in front of the window for maximum natural light.
The sewing area is filled with everything that a Victorian seamstress needed. Girls, at around 8, would receive a sewing kit which contained needles, thread, crochet hooks, and knitting needles. They were expected to take on mending and assemble quilt blocks.
Town dressmakers and tailors were used largely by the wealthy and bachelors (who were without a wife to sew for them), and were considered an extravagance to the thrifty families of the 1870s. Knitting, crochet and quilting were all important home crafts that every young woman was expected to know along with various other crafts such as netting, embroidery, and lacemaking.
Used before the invention of the sewing machine, the sewing or hemming bird served as the third hand to hold the fabric in place. The wealthier you were, the more ornate your sewing bird was.
Girls would brush their hair before they went to bed and collect the hair that fell out in a jar. A wreath like this took a lot of hair to make and was considered a family heirloom. They would be known as generation wreaths because they had hair of several generations from grandchildren up to grandparents.
Few homes in Ridgetown would have kept a spinning wheel after Moodie’s Mill opened in 1855.
This model is called a walking or great wheel. The wheel had to be turned by hand as the spinner worked – a job often assigned to a child. Women could walk many miles in a day spinning enough yarn to clothe their families, but after John Moodie opened his mill, most families sent their wool there for spinning, carding, weaving and fulling. However, some families continued to spin at home for personal use and, much like today, homespun to sell at local fairs and markets.
The most common toys in the Victorian era were homemade.
No child in 1875 would have had this many toys. These toys do, however, represent popular themes for Victorian toys like transportation, etiquette, reading, and puzzles.
The sampler on the bed would have been made by a girl of about 10-12 years old, as a sewing practice. In this sampler, the letter “J” is missing. Is it a mistake? It’s hard to say.
The bed and chest of drawers in this room were made by Augustus Liebner, a cabinet maker from Morpeth. All the maple leaves were hand-carved.
A Space to play, create and explore!
Let your child’s imagination run wild in the Discovery Den—a hands-on, interactive space designed for fun and creativity at the Ridge House Museum.
Perfect for families, this natural-themed room invites kids (and grown-ups!) to explore history through play.
From light-up tables to a magnetic wall, crafts, games, and a kitchen playset, there’s something new to discover with every visit. Enjoy monthly themed activities, build with creative materials, and make memories together in this welcoming and playful space.
At the Ridge House Museum, we believe history should be accessible to everyone. We’re committed to creating a welcoming experience for all visitors and continually working to remove barriers. Due to the historic nature of the 1875 home, some areas may have physical limitations, but we offer accommodations and support wherever possible to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable visit.
You’ll find the Ridge House Museum at 53 Erie Street South in Ridgetown, Ontario, right on the corner of Erie and Oak Streets.
By Car
Free parking is available along the side of the house on Oak Street. The spots aren’t marked, and there are no designated accessible parking spaces at this time.
By Bus
You can reach us using Ride CK’s Inter-Urban Route C, which runs between Chatham, Charing Cross, Blenheim, and Ridgetown.
Route C departs from the Downtown Transfer Terminal in Chatham (100 Wellington Street West) at the following times:
We are committed to welcoming all visitors, but due to the age and design of this historic 1875 home, there are currently no fully accessible entrances.
The main entrance faces Erie Street. A short brick path leads from the sidewalk through a 30-inch-wide gate to the front porch, which has four steps and a handrail.
There is a rear entrance that may be used in emergencies. It has a ramp or three steps, along with an uneven brick path and a 30-inch-wide gate. This entrance leads to a small vestibule and a staircase.
We’re always working to make our museum more accessible and appreciate your understanding as we care for and preserve this historic space.
We’re happy to welcome visitors and their service animals to the Ridge House Museum. Service animals are allowed in all areas of the museum that are open to the public.
In most cases, a service animal can be easily recognized by a harness, vest, or by the tasks it is performing. If the animal isn’t clearly identifiable as a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation from a regulated health professional confirming that the animal is needed for reasons related to a disability.
Accepted documentation can come from any of the following regulated professionals in Ontario:
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to making your visit comfortable and enjoyable.
Visitors who require a support person are always welcome at the Ridge House Museum. Support persons are also invited to attend any museum programs or events.
To help us prepare and make your visit as smooth as possible, please contact us in advance at ckridgehouse@chatham-kent.ca.
Visitors are welcome to use their own assistive devices when visiting the Ridge House Museum.
In rare cases, if an assistive device is found to pose a safety risk to the visitor or others, alternative arrangements may be discussed.
Our staff are trained and familiar with a variety of assistive devices and are here to help ensure a comfortable and accessible visit.
During your visit to the Ridge House Museum, you’ll always be welcomed by a friendly Venue Attendant. You can choose to take a guided tour with a staff member or explore the museum at your own pace with a self-guided tour. An information booklet is available to help guide your experience.
We’re committed to providing accessible service for all visitors. That’s why all of our staff and volunteers receive training on accessibility, including:
Every staff member is trained before working directly with visitors, and we keep training up to date whenever policies change. We’re here to ensure everyone has a welcoming and inclusive experience.
The Ridge House Museum is a restored 1875 home with two floors open to the public. The second floor is only accessible by stairs—there are 16 steps, which vary slightly in size. Inside the house, the wooden floors have some gaps and uneven areas, and doorways range from 29” to 32” wide. Most rooms have raised thresholds at the doorways.
Toilets
There are no accessible washrooms available at the Ridge House Museum.
A non-accessible toilet is located in the basement, which can be reached by a staircase with 12 uneven steps and a handrail. Please use caution.
Infant Care
There is no infant care station on site.
First Aid
All Ridge House Museum staff are trained and certified in Standard First Aid.
Seating
The original furniture in the historic home is part of the museum collection and not available for use.
There is no seating inside the restored house, but you can find seating available in the Discovery Den. If you need a chair during your visit to the historic spaces, just let our staff know—we’re happy to provide one.
Volunteers bring our art, stories and history to life.
Join the Culture Club today!
Volunteers bring our art, stories and history to life.
Join the Culture Club today!
Volunteers bring our art, stories and history to life.
Join the Culture Club today!
Don’t miss a moment of the magic! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about upcoming shows, exclusive events, and more.
© 2025 Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
All Rights Reserved.
We are dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone. If you need any accommodations, please contact us in advance, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
© 2024 Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
All Rights Reserved.
We are dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone. If you need any accommodations, please contact us in advance, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
We are dedicated to ensuring a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone. If you need any accommodations, please contact us in advance, and we’ll be happy to assist you.