FRIENDS OF SUNNYBROOK FARM SOCIETY

FOUNDED IN 1996 THE VISION AND MISSION OF THE MUSEUM IS TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AND LEARN ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF RURAL LIFE IN CENTRAL ALBERTA CIRCA 1880 – 1950 THROUGH INTERPRATIVE PROGAMS HISTORICAL STORIES AND A LIVING FARM COMMUNITY. THE MUSEUM OPERATES ON THE 10-ACRE ORIGINAL BOWER HOMESTEAD IN THE HEART OF RED DEER. THE MUSEUM IS OPEN YEAR ROUND BUT THE PRIMARY SEASON OF OPERATION IS MID-APRIL UNTIL MID-OCTOBER. SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED TO ALMOST 2000 KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 5 CLASSES IN MAY JUNE AND SEPTEMBER. THIS HANDS ON PROGRAM TEACHES ABOUT PIONEER LIFE IN THE WESTERN PROVINCES AND HOMESTEADING ON THE PRAIRIES. IN JULY AND AUGUST THEMATIC DAY CAMP PROGRAMS FOR KIDS AGED 5-11 ARE PROVIDED TO OVER 900 CHILDREN. SPECIAL EVENTS DRAW AN ADDITIONAL 3000 PEOPLE IN FOR EVENTS LIKE THE PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL IN AUGUST. THE ARE APPROXIMATELY 5000 DROP IN VISITORS WHO PARTICIPATE IN SELF-GUIDED OR GUIDED INTERPRETIVE TOURS OF THE SITE AND THE OVER 3000 AGRICULTURE AND FARM-LIFE ARTIFACTS. THE EVENTS AND PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED BY A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER BASE OF MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS WHO GIVE OVER 7000 HOURS TO THE MUSEUM EACH YEAR.