The Blair House Museum

The Blair House Museum is located in the old homestead at the Kentville Agricultural Center in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

It was opened during the 50th Apple Blossom Festival on May 29, 1981 by the Nova Scotia Fruit Grower's Association. It was named after the Research Station’s first superintendent, Dr. William Saxby Blair.

The museum is a display of the rich agricultural history of the Annapolis Valley and a window to present day agriculture.

One wing is completely devoted to the apple industry in the valley. This industry affected everyone in the valley at one time from growers, barrel makers, evaporators and shipping. In here you will see the history of the industry through pictures, stories and artifacts. Some of the displays include an original Scotian Gold Cider jug, apple barrel making tools, apple baskets, apple peelers and an old sprayer.

They have a display including pictures to show you how apple barrels were made in the valley and another display showing the inside of an apple evaporating plant.

In another wing in the Museum they have displays showing past and present research at the Kentville Research Station. You will find photos and original equipment from the station of each area of study. Learn about the history of the station, about it's research, then find out what they are doing today. Their modern research looks at things like plant pathology (the development of disease-resistant crops), post-harvest physiology (storage of crops) and pest management.

The Museum is very interactive with educational activities including trivia’s, games and videos. They also offer a kids corner for school groups, summer camps or family outings. There is even a tutorial on how to make apple strudel!

The house that houses the Blair House Museum was built in 1911. It served as the residence home for the superintendents at the Research Center until 1979. Also located in the house was an office for the station and a spare living room, bedroom and bathroom for visitors from Ottawa.

Now the museum takes up the first floor of the house and the offices of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association are located on the second Floor.

The Blair House Museum is open Monday to Friday in the summer. Groups are encouraged to visit the museum and the admission is free. Find out more about the Blair House Museum by visiting their website.

Leave The Blair House Museum and return to see other Annapolis Valley Museums