Before tractors got high-tech and farms became what we know today, rural Alberta looked very different. At Sunnybrook Farm Museum in Red Deer, that history is still standing, and visitors can still explore the site today. Known as the city’s oldest farm, the site brings the past to life through historic buildings, interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences that make it easy to picture what life was really like for early settlers.
So if you’ve ever wanted to get a closer look at Alberta’s farming roots, this is one of the best ways to experience it.
A living piece of Alberta’s agricultural past
According to Sunnybrook Farm Museum, visitors can wander through the site and explore original structures, including a log house, blacksmith shop, and dairy barn, each carefully preserved to reflect its original purpose.
One of the more distinctive features on-site is a half-scale model of an Eaton’s catalogue home, a type of home originally sold through mail-order catalogues in the early 1900s, allowing people to choose and build predesigned houses. The model at the Sunnybrook Farm Museum was built by students from Red Deer Polytechnic in 2025.
During the warmer months, visitors can also get a taste of hands-on farm life with activities like milking Betsy, the museum’s resident cow. She’s become a bit of a favourite on-site, especially for younger visitors.
In August, the museum hosts Pioneer Days, a two-day event that brings pioneer life to the forefront through wagon rides, vintage machinery displays, and interactive demonstrations showcasing traditional farming and crafts.
If you’re planning a visit, the farm is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and operates on a pay-by-donation basis. The museum is also completely volunteer-run, with support from community members who help keep the site running and accessible for visitors throughout the season.
Sunnybrook Farm Museum is one of those places that makes you realize how different life used to be… and also how glad you are not doing laundry in a wash basin. It’s a gentle reminder that Alberta’s history is a lot more interesting when you can actually walk through it.
When: Open Monday to Friday
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Where: 2897 Botterill Cres., Red Deer, Alta.
Cost: Pay by donation
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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