ross farm museum

I work in museums and I love living history, and I'm so glad I made the drive to Ross Farm. The interpreters are not just well-informed, they're very friendly and happy to talk to visitors. I loved riding in the wagon, chatting with the driver, and it made figuring out the layout easy. The blacksmith's shop was awesome, especially getting to see oxen being shod. The cooper's shop is great and the interpreter in there was a master of explaining his craft as he did it, and clearly knows and loves the history behind it. Up in the house, getting to really taste the delicious bread and butter was a major plus, not something we were allowed to do with visitors at the sites I've costumed interpreted for. Unfortunately the gift shop and visitor's center were reduced and moved during renovation, but I still acquired a unique souvenir (wool from the farm's Cotswold sheep.) The nature trails are lovely and a great way for non-hikers to get some time in the woods as they're smooth and easy to navigate in street shoes. Definitely worth the day trip from Halifax.

A great attraction for the whole family. Very reasonably priced. A working farm including food production, wood working, blacksmith and cooperage; all in period costume. Wagon ride offers chance to jump on and off at different sites. Plenty of displays and animals. Nature trails.

Very informative workers. Well maintained grounds. A joy to walk among an old time farm and see the way we used to live. Even got to milk a cow .

My two grand daughter's visited the farm for an afternoon experience. I took about 2 1/2 hours. Some of the demonstrator's were excellent, especially the wood carver and wagon ride driver. Time was spent at all the sites and the barn was one of the favourites with the pigs and chickens.

My grandsons and I spent the afternoon at Ross Farm. There were not a whole lot of people so the kids got a ton of one on one attention. They got to sit in the old one room schoolhouse and draw pictures on their piece of slate with slate while being told of what the life of a student was like back then. They got to use some old equipment to get wood ready to make wooden spoons and to sand the edges of a partially made wooden spoon. They got to help a lady in period costume weed her garden. We saw the animals in the barns. They were shearing sheep that day. Then we got to see how the sheep's wool was spun into yarn. We even had a horse drawn wagon ride. All for under $10. What a great day with the kids.

We had our first visit to Ross Farm, even though we don't live that far away from the farm. What an incredible afternoon we had! We started with an historical video presentation, went to the one room schoolhouse, our informative and relaxing horse drawn wagon ride with Lyndon, the cooper demonstration, woodcarving of wooden spoons, blacksmith shop, barn tour of transportation vehicles, tour of the original Ross cottage complete with homemade molasses cookies and wool spinning demonstration. Farmer Cameron was most informative and accommodating with allowing our nephew to milk the cow, separate the cream and milk, and feed the kittens and calf. The oxen team and their handler was a treat to watch. The cost of admission is extremely resonable at $6.00 per adult and $2.00 for children or a family rate of $15.00. Well worth the money, your time, and an educational trip back in time!

Stopped in and took an hour and a half and it was not enough. What an amazing place! Highly recommended! Just happened to stop in, was not planned, and we were so happy we did. We will be going again. Also the prices are very reasonable and the staff is very knowledgeable.

Came across Ross Farm Museum by chance when my plans changed and I made an unexpected cross country drive on Highway 12. Certainly worth the stop, despite the light rain and overcast skies, there still plenty to see inside the various buildings.There's good car park, the entrance and gift shop are combined, you do need a guide map because there are hardly any signs to help locate the different buildings.My first stop was at the small school, where I was most impressed by the knowledgeable teenager in charge of the building. She was in period costume and so enthusiastic about the place, telling me the history of the area; it's great to see youngsters so interested in their heritage. Several schools were amalgamated into one, so this one is no longer used. When I asked if it was boring sitting alone awaiting visitors she replied that there was always something to do, indeed she was sorting wool as we spoke. She obviously liked working there and then she pointed to a desk and said "My mother used to sit there". It was a delight to meet this young lady, she is a credit to the museum.Another barn type building is filled with old farm machinery where you can follow through from simple wooden implements, sometimes with parts imported from Scotland for example. Then it all gradually moves on to more sophisticated items as they progressed to their own manufacturing.The other main building is the former family estate house which contains many of the original furnishings, including a maple table made from the first tree that was felled on the estate. There's a wealth of items to see and friendly costumed and informative staff to help you understand the life in those days.My visit was quite short as an expected stop due to a change of route on a business trip, but actually related because I was researching work on the settlers in other areas ! On a better day there would be so much more to see outside and a lot of grounds to walk around too, there wasn't much activity outside on day I was there and it was soon after opening too. Certainly somewhere that I will return to when in the area with more time to spare.

My husband and I visited Ross Farm Museum, three times this year. Maybe, I should say, so far this year. We love it!Every time we visit, the staff are welcoming and willing to share their interesting information. On our most recent visit, a staff member explained how Ross Farm is raising heritage animals and crops. We were offered a fun wagon ride around the facility, which is included in the admission price. The tradespeople are happy to show you how something was done "back then" and they take the time to explain the different processes involved.The gift shop carries beautiful handmade buckets, barrels, iron work and looks like an old time store. If you enjoy genealogy, the store also has a few reference books on some of the families from the area.The staff at this museum really understands the value of it's visitors and goes the extra mile to make you feel welcome.

This was a beautiful place to spend the afternoon - even without kids. My husband and I throughly enjoyed the education/history of the farm and the autumn colours were fantastic. I would encourage all ages to make a trip to the farm - "it's never a bad day if you've spent time in the barn".....Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to create this experience.

I have gone here every year since I can remember.When I was little it seemed bigger so my kids love it...age 2 and 5. They watched a lady spin wool, bake homemade bread in a wood stove, pat and feed grass to the sheep, cows and horses, wagon ride to the copperage (barrel maker) and blacksmith.There are trails through the woods and a farm equipment museum. I live taking my kids to these places as we have no idea how long they will be around......not to mention we may living like that in the future...lol

We were very impressed with the staff's knowledge of the era that the farm represents. We learned all the ins and outs about the coopers (barrel makers) industry. We could've learned more if we had more time for our visit. It was great for all ages. My daughter liked playing with the kittens near the barn.

This is a very educational farm that invites you to learn about farm life in rural areas. It has the farm animals that you can touch and it makes you appreciate the life that we have today in regard to farming. I would recommend a visit to Ross farm while you are visiting the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

Part of the Nova Scotia Museum System, Ross Farm is a great learning experience for families. Features: Restored schoolhouse, farmhouse, mill, cooper's shop, blacksmith, etc., all manned by experienced craftsmen who explain 18th and 19th century techniques. Great displays of old farm machinery, ox pulls, horse and wagon rides, and seasonal displays. Sample the good biscuits, baked every day in the farmhouse.

I took my kids to ross farm today, ages 6 and 14. we always have a great time here but today was even better, we had hot chocolate, cookies, pulled taffy, homemade ice cream, helped shovel manure, feed the animals, milked a cow and collected eggs from the chickens. it is a great place to let the kids run off some energy, never overly crowded, the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable of what life was like. we visit a couple times a year.