Belles Treasure Museum

Belles Treasure Museum all started with a little brown jug her late father-in-law had given her forty years ago. Since then Belle Grant-Fairn has been collecting different antiques and collectables mostly from different family members.

Belle's former late father-in-law, Frank Grant who lived in Canterbury, New Brunswick gave Belle the little brown earth ware jug during a visit to him. When he seen her interest in antiques he started giving her something every time they came to visit.

Mr. Grant was a blacksmith by trade and he soon handed over to Belle pretty much all of his implements including tools, his apron and even the table where he shaped the shoes. The blacksmith collection is just one part of her collection.

Belle herself is of Acadian heritage and was brought up in East Pubnico and so she has a large collection of French Canadian antiques. Belle has also been able to obtain the school registers from the Lower East Pubnico School dating 1876, 1886 and 1892.

Another one of her prize possessions is a beautiful mantle that had been in her grandparents home. She worked on it herself to bring it back to it's original condition. Other family items Belle has collected include large cauldrons used for boiling down maple sap and even the spittoon used by her uncles.

From her father-in-law George Fairn's family she has a large six-foot long toboggan that was used to carry supplies and food for the men at the Fairn saw mill in Albany.

She also has an old army trunk that once was used by her uncle, Bill Zinck which is full of memorabilia of the Second World War including medals, money and unique items he picked up while overseas.

Her husband Michael contributed to her collection by giving her a collection of bottles, pills, labels and shipping boxes from the C. Gates & Son Co. Ltd.

Belle kept collecting whatever she could but had to keep most of it stored in boxes which filled up two sheds and part of her basement. It was not until the couple moved to Riverside Drive in Middleton that they had room enough to build a two-car garage. They decided to add a second floor on the garage so Belle could display her collection. Then they decided to decorate the interior in an appropriate finish and installed a state-of-the-art alarm system.

She decided to open her displays up to the public and hence the start of Belles Treasure Museum. Belle loves to show off her collections and can tell you an interesting story about each and every one. She is full of information about years gone by and how life was back when, it helps to make the visit all the more interesting.

Belles Treasure Museum is a private museum located on Riverside Drive in Middleton, Nova Scotia. She does not charge any admission, but she does ask that you call for an appointment as she does not keep regular hours. She welcomes all visitors, individuals or groups. You may contact her at (902) 825 6556.

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