MEDIA RELEASE October 23, 2026
$11,800 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Blossoms at Hutchison House Museum
Peterborough, ON – On Friday, MPP Dave Smith met with the team at Hutchison House Museum to hear more about the $11,800 Capital grant it received this summer from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The six-month grant has been used to create a new accessible walkway through the museum’s herb/medicine garden. The project provides an even surface for visitors, especially those with mobility issues or seniors to enjoy the medicine and herb gardens on the west side of the museum. This enjoyment could come from just looking at or learning about the gardens from a staff or volunteer or from working in the gardens themselves.
“Investments like this help preserve Peterborough’s rich history while ensuring our local heritage sites remain accessible and welcoming to everyone,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The improvements to the pathway at Hutchison House Museum will make it easier for seniors and visitors with mobility challenges to enjoy the herb and medicine gardens and learn more about our community’s past. I’m pleased to see provincial funding supporting projects that protect our heritage and make it more accessible for future generations.”
The purpose of this project was to create an accessible walkway through the west gardens at Hutchison House Museum. The previous one was flagstone, and while appropriate to period of the historic site, it was uneven and narrow making it difficult to navigate for people with mobility issues or with trouble walking on uneven ground. Thanks to the grant, the flagstone was replaced with paving stones matching the rest of the walkways around the museum. The new path has been widened to accommodate walkers and other mobility assistance devices, ensuring visitors will be able to safely and comfortably visit the herb gardens.
“The Gardens of Hutchison House Museum are one of the first things that visitors see when they are on site,” said Erin Panepinto, Curator and Manager, Hutchison House Museum. “They are an extension of the museum experience representing the 1860s and the types of plants available and popular during the time of the Hutchison and Harvey families. They help to draw in visitors and attract new volunteers. Having the new accessible pathway through the herb/medicine gardens allows for visitors to safely tour through all of the gardens or provide safe space for volunteers to work in the gardens.”
Hutchison House Museum is a dynamic, interactive heritage site that offers visitors meaningful living history experiences. It operates with a strong customer service focus that builds on its reputation as a unique cultural attraction in Peterborough. Through its collection, research, exhibitions, and programming, Hutchison House Museum creates opportunities for connections and participation. The museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year including an upcoming Christmas decoration workshop, Christmas Market, Snowflake Tea, Heritage Luncheons, Dickens and Dessert and their annual Hogmanay event on January 1, 2027.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
