Inge-Va, 66 Craig St.

Inge-Va was designed as a family residence. Rev. Harris carefully landscaped the grounds surrounding Inge-Va with a series of precisely laid-out gardens and paths. Inge-Va has remained relatively unchanged over the years, except for the addition of the front gable, the removal of the front verandah and the enlargement of the rear wing.

The families who lived in Inge-Va brought it distinction and a colourful prominence within the community. Rev. Harris made Inge-Va a focal point for church and community gatherings. He was instrumental in building churches in Franktown, Lanark and Balderson, as well as St. James’ church in Perth. He was the first president of the Perth Temperance Society. He and his family lived for less than 10 years in this house and then built another.

The next owner, Thomas Radenhurst, (1803-1854) was a prominent Upper Canadian from a distinguished family who arrived in Perth in 1822 and moved into Inge-Va in 1832.  Radenhurst was one of Perth’s first lawyers and his nephew, Robert Lyon lived with him for a short time. Lyon was articled to his uncle and was the unfortunate victim in the last fatal duel in Canada which took place on June 13, 1833.

The last occupants of the house were the Inderwicks who lived there until 1974 when they donated the house to the Ontario Heritage Foundation. It was the Inderwicks who named the house Inge-Va which is a Tamil word meaning “come here”. The house is furnished to show the life and times of the 3 different owners and is open to the public for special events.