Rideau Antiques
Welcome
to Rideau Antiques, now over 50 years in operation! Our business began in
1962, by Clifford Miller, the original (and present owner), as a summer
sideline, between teaching years.
Clifford's fascination with antiques started in 1961, after he attended a few local auctions to find some things for a new cottage. As can happen, Clifford found several items of interest that couldn't be rationalized for the cottage, and through the encouragement of a fellow teacher, the beginning of a family business was born. For the first five years, Clifford operated the business on a very small scale, out of the woodshed of the family home, just a mile west of the present location. When his teaching duties in Smiths Falls (and later in Europe and Japan), prevented him from being there in person, his mother Marion helped the business continue.
In 1967, the present location on the Rideau Ferry Road became available and the business expanded. In the years immediately after 1967 (Canada's Centennial year), interest in collecting Canadiana grew rapidly and by 1972, Clifford's career in teaching was replaced by full-time antiquing! In 1974, Clifford married Alice Thompson and since they have worked side by side, building the business and raising three children; Sarah, Andrew and Emily. As is the case for many family businesses, all three children worked at Rideau Antiques over the years. While their daughters now live and work in Ottawa, Andrew continues to help his parents in the business.
In 1981, Clifford and Alice were joined by his brother Calvin, who continues to work with them today. For many years, Calvin's wife Sue was also a part-time employee. In 1985, a cousin of Clifford's, Dan Wright, came on staff and remains after 27 years, a most valued employee. Also in that year, in partnership with his farming brother Donald, Clifford and Alice purchased an adjoining farm property, and since then, what is known as “The Warehouse”, has been used to sell a multitude of merchandise, from furniture to magazines and books to china, glassware and much more!
In 2010, Rideau Antiques began using another barn, known as the Gould barn, conveniently located across the highway from the main shop, and so including the brick farmhouse, furniture building built in 1970, the Warehouse and now the Gould barn. Visitors to Rideau Antiques will discover the almost endless collection of Canadian furniture, clocks, glass, china, woodenware, lamps, bottles, primitive tools, books and hardware. Outside in the yards, one can find a vast array of shutters, doors, stoves, tubs, sinks, farm implements, grates, license plates, cast iron tractor seats, signs and so much more!
Rideau Antiques is open Monday to Saturday, 9AM to 6PM (closed Sundays), year round. We are located at 104 Rideau Ferry Road, on County Road #1, between Lombardy and Rideau Ferry, 10 km south of Perth, and 10 km southwest of Smiths Falls, in the heart of Rideau Lakes.
Please feel free to stop in and browse our large collection of treasures.
Clifford's fascination with antiques started in 1961, after he attended a few local auctions to find some things for a new cottage. As can happen, Clifford found several items of interest that couldn't be rationalized for the cottage, and through the encouragement of a fellow teacher, the beginning of a family business was born. For the first five years, Clifford operated the business on a very small scale, out of the woodshed of the family home, just a mile west of the present location. When his teaching duties in Smiths Falls (and later in Europe and Japan), prevented him from being there in person, his mother Marion helped the business continue.
In 1967, the present location on the Rideau Ferry Road became available and the business expanded. In the years immediately after 1967 (Canada's Centennial year), interest in collecting Canadiana grew rapidly and by 1972, Clifford's career in teaching was replaced by full-time antiquing! In 1974, Clifford married Alice Thompson and since they have worked side by side, building the business and raising three children; Sarah, Andrew and Emily. As is the case for many family businesses, all three children worked at Rideau Antiques over the years. While their daughters now live and work in Ottawa, Andrew continues to help his parents in the business.
In 1981, Clifford and Alice were joined by his brother Calvin, who continues to work with them today. For many years, Calvin's wife Sue was also a part-time employee. In 1985, a cousin of Clifford's, Dan Wright, came on staff and remains after 27 years, a most valued employee. Also in that year, in partnership with his farming brother Donald, Clifford and Alice purchased an adjoining farm property, and since then, what is known as “The Warehouse”, has been used to sell a multitude of merchandise, from furniture to magazines and books to china, glassware and much more!
In 2010, Rideau Antiques began using another barn, known as the Gould barn, conveniently located across the highway from the main shop, and so including the brick farmhouse, furniture building built in 1970, the Warehouse and now the Gould barn. Visitors to Rideau Antiques will discover the almost endless collection of Canadian furniture, clocks, glass, china, woodenware, lamps, bottles, primitive tools, books and hardware. Outside in the yards, one can find a vast array of shutters, doors, stoves, tubs, sinks, farm implements, grates, license plates, cast iron tractor seats, signs and so much more!
Rideau Antiques is open Monday to Saturday, 9AM to 6PM (closed Sundays), year round. We are located at 104 Rideau Ferry Road, on County Road #1, between Lombardy and Rideau Ferry, 10 km south of Perth, and 10 km southwest of Smiths Falls, in the heart of Rideau Lakes.
Please feel free to stop in and browse our large collection of treasures.
