The Accidental Farmer: The Story of Ross Farm

Nova Scotia’s Ross Farm Museum is a living window into the province’s agricultural history. Since the museum opened in 1970, it has been a favourite destination for schoolchildren, who can see straw hats being woven, wool being spun, and butter being churned; they can also visit the blacksmith shop and stave mill, as well as the brand new on-site Learning Centre. The farm was founded in rural Nova Scotia by the Ross family after they crossed the Atlantic in 1816 on a crowded ship with limited rations. Once here, the family overcame many challenges: William Ross made chairs and bunk beds by hand; he cleared the untamed land. His untimely death at age thirty-nine left Mary, then pregnant, to care for five young children on her own. The Accidental Farmer, the newest in the popular Stories of Our Past series, explores the farm’s history and continued legacy, and includes old diary entries, farm artefacts, maps, and images of the farm past and present. Perfect for high-school students and general readers with an interest in local history. Includes 60 colour images, sidebars, and an index.