Backus-Page House Museum

08/19/2026

Here's an interesting one for you for

08/15/2026

Imagine stepping back to a time when weekends were measured in harvested crops, shared laughter, and community gathering.

As summer gently starts to wind down, we are getting everything ready to bring those timeless traditions back to life! In just three short weeks—this Labour Day weekend, September 5th & 6th—the fields at Backus-Page House Museum will fill with the vibrant sights, sounds, and spirit of our annual Family Farm Festival.

Picture the scent of fresh air on the farm, hands-on history for the kids, and local heritage brought to life right before your eyes. Whether you’re showing the little ones how things used to be done or taking a relaxing stroll through the grounds, it’s the ultimate way to wrap up your summer together.

How you can help us spread the word:
Go to our event page and Hit Share to invite your friends, family, and neighbors, and drop a comment below letting us know what farm festival activity your family is looking forward to the most!

Let’s make this Labour Day weekend one for the memory books. See you on the farm!

08/14/2026

Calling all local antique tractor owners! 🚜

Bring your piece of agricultural history to the Family Farm Festival this Labour Day weekend!

We’re filling the space behind the Agricultural Centre with classic, vintage, and antique tractors, and we’d love to have yours on display.

When: Saturday & Sunday (Labour Day Weekend)

Where: Backus-Page House Museum

Cost: FREE to participate!

Registration is required on the day so we can keep track of participating equipment.

08/12/2026

We here at the museum can't wait to see what our audience comes up with this week!

08/08/2026

This is just one of many photos on loan to us for our Page Family Exhibition currently on display in the Parlor of Backus-Page House Museum until the end of September.

This photo is of Morley & Grace Page, their children, Bill and Iris, Bill's daughters Janice, Margaret and Leslie, Iris's children, David, Bill and Michelle.
The occasion was the Page's 50th wedding anniversary in May 1976, which is why everyone is all dressed up. It was the summer of '76 that Morley and Grace auctioned the contents of the house and moved to the apartment in Dutton.

Come to the Museum for a guided tour and see the entire exhibition in person! Open Wednesday through Sunday 10am to 4pm.

08/05/2026

This is an object found in our parlor.

07/29/2026

Happy Wednesday! Here we are with a new item(s) for Wrong Answers Only Wednesday. We know you are a smart cookie and don't need to guess at what these objects are - so tell us a wee fib, a wrong answer!
Have fun!

07/26/2026

✨ Sneak Peek! ✨

We’re spending the next few days behind the scenes putting together a brand-new exhibit featuring original items from the Page family!

Every artifact tells a story, and we can’t wait to share these personal pieces of local history with you very soon.

Stay tuned for opening details—what kind of historic objects are you hoping to see in the new display? Drop your guesses in the comments! 👇

07/25/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

If you look closely in the glass topped table in the master bedroom, you might spot a beautifully intricate, framed piece of art made entirely out of... human hair. 🧶✨

Before you say "yuck," in the 1850s, hair wreaths and jewelry were the ultimate expression of love, family connection, and remembrance. Strands of hair were collected from family members, meticulously woven using wire and bobbins, and shaped into stunning floral designs.

But keeping these sentimental masterpieces intact was a constant battle for settler families! Because they were made of organic material, hair wreaths were an absolute magnet for mice, moths, and carpet beetles.

To protect their precious family records, Victorians had to get creative. They would seal the shadowbox frames tightly with beeswax or putty, line the backs with arsenic-treated paper, or place blocks of pungent camphor inside the frame to keep the bugs from eating Grandma's hair!

Next time you tour the house, take a closer look at the incredible craftsmanship of this wreath. It’s a beautiful—and slightly wild—reminder of how far people would go to preserve their family history.

What’s the most unique family heirloom passed down in your family? Let us know below! 👇

07/22/2026

This may be short notice but if you are interested and have a free afternoon this coming Sunday please join the Glencoe & District Historical Society at this event.

Save the date: A historic event will be held in SWM on July 26. All are welcome.