The North Hills Museum

The North Hills Museum in Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia is not just another farmhouse museum; it is full of 18th century treasures entirely unique to this area. The whole house is full of high-end antique furniture, porcelain and glass that would make any antique dealer drool.

This great gem was left to the Nova Scotia Museum by Mr. Bob Patterson an avid collector of 18th century antiques in his will.

Bob Patterson was born in Chicago in 1908 but did most of his growing up in Toronto, ON. His father, Harold Frederick Patterson was a banker, he became the vice-president of the Bank of Nova Scotia and Bob followed in his footsteps. He loved art and was a great patron of the arts.

Bob retired from banking in the mid-1950's and opened up an antique shop in Yorkville, Toronto. The shop enabled him to pursue his passion for English furniture, ceramics, silver and glass. He concentrated on the Georgian period (1714-1830) and soon had a very large collection for himself.

In 1964 Bob Patterson decided to buy a place in Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia to house his collection.

When Bob bought the house in Granville Ferry he thought he was buying the oldest house in Nova Scotia. The house is very old, circa 1764, but it is not the oldest.

The property he bought had been granted to Benjamin Rumsey in 1764. The original house was a small square wood-framed structure. The house faced south and only had two windows on the

  The Living Room in the North Hills Museum

north wall.

In the early 1800's the Rumsey farm was sold to the Anderson family who lived in the house until the mid-1900s. The house had been added onto over the years. A one-story summer kitchen was added onto the west side and a one-and-a-half story addition on the east side.

By the time Bob purchased the property the house was in a bad state of disrepair. He hired local workers to restore the house. They retained the original pine woodwork in the dining room mantelpiece and built-in cupboard plus the original fieldstone masonry of the chimney was saved. So was the mantelpiece in the library and some exposed brickwork flues located on the east side.

He re-designed the long living room to suit his collection and added a Georgian style mantelpiece in this room. He also added a wooden cornice, the same as the one in the Bailey house in Annapolis Royal.

As soon as the work was completed he moved in his large, fine collection of antiques. In honor of the North Mountain located behind the house he decided to name the house North Hills.

Upon his death in 1974 Bob Patterson left the property and all of his collection to the Nova Scotia Museum, wanting his collection to remain in the house and shared by others to view. Now the North Hills Museum is run jointly by the Nova Scotia Museum and the Annapolis Heritage Society.

I was quite excited the day my sister Judy & I visited the North Hills Museum. I had been in the museum before, but Judy never had.

I knew how much she loved antiques and I could not wait for her to see all the wonderful things in the museum. I knew her eyes would pop out when she seen the fine examples of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.

The Exposed brickwork Chimney          
in the North Hills Museum          

Everything in the museum was as Bob Patterson had left it, the furniture, porcelain, glass and art. We walked in and were right away greeted by a very nice woman who filled us in on the history of the house and Mr. Patterson. She asked if we would like a guide or if we wanted to just look around ourselves. We opted for the guide so that we could learn more as we went through the museum. Judy knew more about the antiques than I did, I like to look at them but I do not know much about them.

The guide told us about everything in there and was sure to point out the really important items like the Jacobean chest circa 1660 which is the oldest piece of furniture in the house. She also showed us and told us about the portrait that was painted by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664) plus the painting over the fireplace that was painted by Nova Scotia's own renown artist Tom Forrestall who had known Bob Patterson.

      The Hallway in the North Hills Museum

She explained the different woods that were used like the English Oak in the dining room and the walnut and mahogany furniture in the living room.

She explained that Mr. Patterson loved English porcelain and pointed out the New Hall porcelain tea set along with other beautiful pieces from the factories of Worcester, Derby and Spode. There were also several pieces of silver which she said were the works of several London silversmiths.

Everywhere were beautiful paintings which we were told were eighteenth and early nineteenth century works by such famous artist as John Hoppner, George Chinnery, Sir Francis Chantrey and Francis Cotes. There were very fine pieces of eighteenth century English glass in the main hall.

It was all so beautiful and rich feeling in the place I was almost afraid to move for fear of knocking something. Even though I do not know much about antiques I can appreciate the fine work and craftsmanship that went in to these items. It is differently worth the time to stop in and view this fine collection yourself sometime.

The New Hall Porcelain Tea Set at North Hills Museum

The North Hills Museum holds several different events and activities throughout the season. One of the most popular ones is the North Hills Vintage Automobile Show held in mid-August. Classic and antique vehicles from across western Nova Scotia gather together on the lawns of the North Hills Museum.

As you approach the museum that day you are greated with a splendid row of cars dating from the 1920's. As you continue you will find rows of cars all from the turn of the twentieth century through to the 1970s. One of the most impressive vehicles on display was a 1902/03 Oldsmobile Curved Dash. This open top, chain driven vehicle is almost more horse drawn buggy than automobile.

If you like old cars you will love this exhibit. The owners of these fine vehicles have spent hours gently restoring them and shining them up to show them off to you. Go ahead and ask questions, they will love to share their experiences and stories with you.

The North Hills Museum is located off Highway #1 on the road to Port Royal National Historic Site. It is not far outside of the village of Granville Ferry.

The museum is open from June 1 until October 15 daily. There is a small admission charged. To find out more visit their website.

Leave The North Hills Museum and return to see other Annapolis Valley Museums