Eating and Cooking | Apple Attractions

On May 29, 1981, during the celebration of the 50th Apple Blossom

Festival, the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association opened the Blair

House museum to the public. The museum was created to preserve

and display the history of the apple growing industry and of the Research

Station. The Blair House Museum, located on the Kentville Agricultural

Centre grounds, offers both an interesting and educational look at the

history of the apple industry in Nova Scotia, as well as the modern

research being performed at the Kentville Agricultural Centre.

The museum was named after the station's first superintendent, Dr. William Saxby Blair. Constructed in 1911, the house served as the superintendents' residence until 1979. The house was built to accommodate more than a single family. In addition to the living quarters, one room served as the station office, and there were a spare living room, extra bedroom and bathroom for visitors from Ottawa.

The NSFGA wing of the museum tells the history of the apple industry in Nova Scotia through numerous pictures, stories and artifacts. Apple barrel making tools, apple baskets, apple peelers and even an old sprayer, show how things were done over a half-century ago. The collection includes an original Scotian Gold Cider jug, a pictorial demonstration of apple barrel making, and a peek inside a turn-of-the-century apple evaporating plant.

Featuring informative photos and scientific instruments, the Agriculture Canada wing offers a look at both past and present research performed at the station. One room delves into the history of the scientific research at the station by means of photos and original equipment from each area of study. Enjoy the history of an old camera, balance scales, and microscopes. A second room boasts new and colourful pictures that show the current research being done on the grounds. All these rooms complement each other in a way that offers visitors a well-rounded look at the apple industry - past and present.