(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

always something new

Sunnybrook Farm Museum welcoming guests for another great season

May 27, 2023 | 3:49 PM

Sunnybrook Farm Museum held its first big event of the season on Saturday, welcoming the earliest of the estimated 13,000 Albertans who’ll walk through the gates in 2023.

Spring on the Farm included farm animals, who’ll be there all summer, as well as a country breakfast, face painting, and many more activities.

Of course, that’s not to mention the touring and observing of old, but refurbished or renovated buildings and vintage vehicles — oh, and the delectable homemade pies available throughout the summer.

That includes a non-functioning steam tractor newly on loan from the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, estimated to be about 110-years-old, says Ian Warwick, Sunnybrook’s executive director.

Ian Warwick, executive director, Sunnybrook Farm Museum. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

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“It’s amazing that we have this 10-acre park in the middle of Red Deer and not everybody knows about it. About a quarter of the people who’ve visited us today have said they’d never been here before. That’s amazing to me,” says Warwick, who’s overseen the museum for many years.

“This is the most beautiful park in the city, it’s by donation to enter, but lots of people just don’t know it’s a place they can come and visit.”

Sunnybrook Farm Museum was established about 30 years ago after the land was donated by Norman and Iva Bower on the condition that an agricultural museum be established and maintained.

In recent years, the museum has raised money to relocate and renovate buildings like the Calder School and the Zion Presbyterian Church.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Though in the early stages, fundraising is happening to eventually construct a multi-million dollar interpretive centre and community hall.

“We’re so proud to be able to give this to the city,” says Warwick.

The museum is open May 1 to August 31, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More volunteers are always welcome, it was added.

More information about Sunnybrook Farm Museum (2879 Botterill Crescent, Red Deer), including about its summer camps and other programs and offering, visit its website.