The Northville Farm Heritage Centre

Old Postcard Showing Moving a House with Oxen in Annapolis Valley

The Northville Farm Heritage Centre was founded in 2000 by volunteers hoping to preserve and demonstrate early farm life in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.

It all started when several people came together with a dream. That dream was to set up an area where old farming methods could be viewed. Not just displayed but actually seen in action, people farming using the old tools and implements.

The dream started coming into a reality when a piece of prime farmland was donated to them in Billtown, Kings County, NS.

Soon work was started around 2002 on the Gatehouse and then a barn was donated and moved to the site. And this barn was moved the old fashioned way to! A video of the moving of the Bently barn will be one of the displays at the centre.

Another new building referred to as the Pole Barn was added and an ancient sawmill was brought to the site along with a shingle mill. The historic Hayes Windmill was brought over from Coldbrook. The site has been growing and growing and they are still looking for more to add.

The Northville Farm Heritage Centre is sitting on fifteen acres of prime farm land. It is nestled under the North Mountain which adds greatly to the beauty of this area.

The small family farm was once a stable industry in the Annapolis Valley; the whole valley was made up of these small farms. It was a way of life in these parts, sons took over the family farm, it was just expected.

But large farms and new technology has replace this way of life in the valley, the small farm is almost extinct. The few that are left are struggling to survive and are being bought out by the bigger ones. The hope is to save some of this way of life before it completely disappears.

This living heritage site is being built and run by dedicated volunteers who come from a long line of these family farmers. They have worked hard all their life already and are still working hard to build and run this heritage site.

It is amazing to see how much they have accomplished already in a short period of time. And they invite you to come by anytime to watch, participate in or just to see what they are up to.

The Northville Farm Heritage Centre is located at 1158 Steadman Road, on the corner of the Thorpe and Steadman roads just below the North Mountain in Northville, Kings County.

Follow the #1 highway into Kentville and then turn onto highway 359 which will take you past the Kentville Courthouse Museum, across the bridge and towards Halls Harbour.

At Centreville turn left onto highway 221 and follow it 3.8 km until the Stedman Road where you will turn right. There should be a Baptist Church here. The Stedman road should take you right to the farm heritage centre 2.2 km away.

On a weekend around Apple Blossom time in the Annapolis Valley the Northville Farm Heritage Centre holds their Annual Apple Blossom Antique Tractor Pull & Show. This is a great show to take in if you have any love or interest in these great old machines from years past.

A lot of people have started saving and collecting these old tractors and saving them from rotting away abandoned in fields. They have lovingly restored them and got them working again just like many do with old cars.

The time and effort put into this hobby is very rewarding when the engine starts up and they go driving around the field. Just like antique car enthusiast they love the chance to show off their work and remind you just what these old beast can do.

What better scenery to hold an antique tractor pull and show then at Northville Farm, the scenery just blends in great.

The farm held its first tractor show in 2009 for Apple Blossom Weekend and the response was great. So now it has become an annual event with approximately 30 - 40 tractors showing up.

There is a small admission for both entries and spectators which goes back to help with the events. A canteen is set up on the site for your convenience. Make sure to take this event in and explore around the rest of the farm while you are there.

Keep watch for their many various events they hold at the farm including antique tractor shows, horse & ox pulls and demonstrations of planting and harvesting the old fashion way. Visit the Northville Farm Heritage Centre website for more information on this great farm or to keep informed about new features they are adding.

Leave The Northville Farm Heritage Centre and return to see other Annapolis Valley Museums

Or return to the Annapolis Valley Spring Events Page to see what else is happening in the Annapolis Valley