Red Deer is a small city located about half-way between Edmonton and Calgary. When I visit smaller communities and have some time on my hands, I like to see what local attractions I can explore. In Red Deer I found a “living historic farm” that looked interesting, so I decided to check it out.
The Sunnybrook Farm Museum helps preserve Red Deer’s agricultural past and educates younger generations about the early days of farming in Alberta. The site was the first farm in the area, once a remote farmstead but now an island of farm history that has been encompassed by an ever-growing community.
The farm site offers a little bit of everything and presents its historic features in an interesting manner. There are old barns, sheds and a pioneer cabin furnished with the early 20th century items.
(Old Pioneer cabin, and some of the displays in its rooms)
A nice garden grows in front of the cabin....
There are a newly constructed general store and a garage, but these are also filled with old artifacts.
(Displays inside the CoOp Merchants store)
(Old cars inside the garage)
A relocated schoolhouse serves as the site's administrative headquarters.,,,
You'll find a selection of common farm animals, kind of a petting zoo. Here is a sampling of the animals I saw:
I enjoy nicely preserved old farm equipment, and there was a lot of that at this site. Some of it was quite old.
If you visit:
Sunnybrook Farm museum is located at 2879 Botterill Crescent in Red Deer. It's open seven days a week from May 1 - August 31. During the off season, special tours can be arranged (for example, school groups)
Admission is free – cash donations and donated farm artifacts are welcome.
The site can be rented for special occasions, like weddings and birthday parties.
School groups commonly visit to learn about their history. Visiting can be fun for anyone, but I think it would be especially interesting to families with younger children.
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