Ross Farm Museum

Tourism Region: South Shore , Lighthouse Route , Nova Scotia

The goal of Ross Farm Museum is to give our visitors an understanding of the importance of the land in our collective past and a sense of pride in Nova Scotia's rural heritage that began in the early 1600s. Nova Scotia's Museum of Agricultural is located on a historic 60 acre site in the heart of mainland Nova Scotia, Canada. We are a living agricultural museum with daily and seasonal demonstrations involving heritage animals, traditional rural trades, and domestic interpretations.

About the Collections

Ross Farm Museum's collections include agricultural and rural life artifacts that have been made or used in Nova Scotia. A high-light includes one of the oldest most diverse collections of plows in North America. Artifacts are on display in period settings in nine various historic site buildings including an 1817 Farm Cottage, 1835 Country Store, 1870 farm Workshop, 1890 three-bay Barn, 1900 Cooperage and Stave & Shingle Mill, 1906 School House and Bank Barn, 1910 Blacksmith Shop.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 4,000

Archives

A good collection of an agricultural based library, with community history & genealogical data in connection with the New Ross Historical Society.

Electronic Records • Manuscripts • Microforms • Photographs

Decorative Arts

Housed on site in Rose Bank Cottage, home of Captain William Ross and his family, are period pieces dating from the early 1800s.

Ceramics, Porcelain or Pottery • Furniture or Furnishings • Metalwork, Silverwork or Goldwork • Textiles or Tapestries

Fine Arts

Miscellaneous:
Folk Art

Human History

Ross Farm Museum houses the agricultural collection for the Province of Nova Scotia with artifacts dating from the 1600s, 1700s and the 1800s.

Agriculture • Animal Husbandry • Clocks or Time-Keeping Devices • Costumes and Accessories • Forestry • Furniture or Furnishings • Household Objects or Domestic Technology • Industrial Technology and History • Local History • Manuscripts • Oral History • Transportation : Non-motorized ground • Weapons

Natural Sciences

Ross Farm Museum's collections touch on Natural history items primarily relating to the land base and its agricultural usage. Year-round nature trails are open for interpretation.

Plants and Animals (Biological Collections)
Agricultural or Domestic • Living Collections • Botany : Vascular Plants : Seed Plants

Services & Activities

Historical agricultural museum for Nova Scotia demonstrating;
Traditional pre-industrial rural activities which are historical, educational, cultural and recreational.

Research Services

Agricultural references and genealogical data base for Nova Scotia's rural heritage.

Archival Records • Genealogical Research • Information Centre • Library • Video Library

Educational Programs

HANDS-ON PROGRAM
Not only are the children getting a hands on experience in a 19 TH century setting, but they are learning practical things needed in everyday life. That is, they learn to work under supervision and they learn how to work together. They learn that things we take for granted today such as electricity which was once non-existent, and it helps them appreciate the things that they have, and understand more about their rural heritage. The experience is memorable, educational, and enjoyable.

Workshops Offered:
•• Blacksmithing -- Make an iron poker
•• Woodworking-- Make wooden items ( ie mallets)
•• Wool Spinning-- picking , carding , & spinning wool
•• Open Hearth Cooking--make soup in the fireplace,
and biscuits in a wood stove
•• Candle Making --make molded & dipped candles
from beef tallow and beeswax
•• Farm Chores-- Help with farm chores (feeding, watering & cleaning out animals,)
•• Nature Walk-- Guided nature walk through the woods to identify tracks, and trees
•• School Class -- School program using slate boards, quill pens and lessons from the time period (early 1900s)

Classes or Workshops • Demonstrations • Family Programs • School Programs : Age 0-4 (Pre-School) : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP) : Age 18 and up (Post-Secondary) • Seniors Programs

Visitor Services

Guided Tours : English • Children's Activities or Services • Information Centre or Desk • Nature Trails, Walks or Gardens • Parking Facilities : Free : Bus • Gift shop • Special Needs Facilities : Washrooms : Wheelchair access • Washrooms
Other: Nature Trails & Internet terminals
Community access program ( CAP site )

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available

Number of Volunteers: 20

Activities: Governance and special programs

Member Privileges

Vote at annual meeting; year-round pass to museum

Food Services

Coffee, juice, beverages and packaged foods.

Snack Bar or Vending Machines • Picnic Area

Internet Services

General Information • Events • School Visits or Programs • Children • Directions or Map • Online Giftshop or Bookstore

Publications and Products

See our catalogue for many reproductions offered from the 1800s including butter-churns, firkins, casks, spinning wheels, blacksmith hardware, and much more.

Books • Brochures • Catalogues • CD-ROMS • Postcards • Posters • T-Shirts or Sweatshirts or Caps • Videos

Featured Images

Map

Visit the Website

Location

Address:	4568 Hwy #12 New Ross, Nova Scotia B0J 2M0 See Map
Telephone:	902-689-2210/1-877-689-2210
Fax:	902-689-2264
Mailing Address:	Ross Farm Museum 4568, Hwy # 12, New Ross, Nova Scotia B0J 2M0
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