The Homestead Antique Museum stands at 901 North Dinosaur Trail in Drumheller, on the road to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, and it tells the story of the homesteaders who arrived in this part of Alberta with very little and built a living from the land. Travel Alberta says the collection holds more than 10,000 antiques and artifacts from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and the range is the appeal. Furniture, household items, musical instruments, work tools, early automobiles and clothing are all displayed, so a visit feels less like a formal exhibition and more like wandering through the contents of several generations of attics and barns. If you enjoy objects with a past, this is the sort of place where you can lose track of time. The museum suits families and visitors who like a hands-on, rummaging style of sightseeing, and it is a good contrast to the science-led exhibits at the Tyrrell. Children tend to enjoy the old cars, the musical instruments and the everyday tools, which show how much work went into daily life before electricity and supermarkets. Adults often find themselves recognising items from their own grandparents' homes. The museum is listed as open in spring, summer and fall, so it is a warm-weather stop, and hours are not shown on the Travel Alberta page. The museum has its own website, homesteadantiquemuseum.com, which is the best place to check what is open on the day.
What to see
Pace yourself, because the quantity of items is large and the best ones are often in corners. Look for the early vehicles, the sewing machines and kitchen gadgets, the musical instruments and the tools that explain how a farm or a household ran without modern help.
Next door stands Murray House, a whole house that was bought from a 1919 Eaton's catalogue and now holds a cafe and boutique. It makes a pleasant place to rest, and the idea of ordering an entire house by mail is a good example of the way the settlers lived.
Practical planning
The museum is seasonal, with spring, summer and fall opening, and the Travel Alberta page does not give daily hours or admission, so check the museum's own site or phone before you drive. Because it lies on North Dinosaur Trail, it is easy to stop on the way to or from the Royal Tyrrell Museum, which is only a few minutes further along the same road.
The Badlands Motel is within walking distance, and the museum is a short drive from downtown. Plan an hour to ninety minutes, and longer if you stop at the cafe. Wear comfortable shoes, because the collection is large and you will spend most of the visit on your feet, and bring a camera if photography is allowed, since many of the objects make wonderful pictures.
Fitting it in
This is a good late-morning or early-afternoon stop between bigger sights. If you are travelling with children who have had enough of walking, it breaks up the day nicely. If you are interested in local heritage, combine it with the Badlands Historical Centre downtown and the East Coulee School Museum, so that you see the homestead, town and mining sides of the story in one trip. In winter, when the museum is closed, the Badlands Historical Centre and the Royal Tyrrell Museum are the best indoor alternatives.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided browse through a large private collection of Victorian and Edwardian antiques, with a cafe and boutique next door.
Best time
A warm-season morning or afternoon on the way to or from the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
How long
An hour to ninety minutes, longer with a cafe stop.
Tips
Check the museum's website for opening days, take your time in the corners and look at the house next door.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Antique and history lovers, and anyone who likes a quirky, rummaging museum.
- Families
- Children enjoy the old cars, instruments and tools, and the hands-on feel of the collection.
- Couples
- A relaxed hour of browsing followed by a coffee next door.
- Pair with
- The Royal Tyrrell Museum and the Badlands Historical Centre fit in the same day.
- Time needed
- One to one and a half hours.
Good questions
Where is the Homestead Antique Museum?+
It is at 901 North Dinosaur Trail in Drumheller, on the road towards the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
What is in the collection?+
More than 10,000 Victorian and Edwardian antiques and artifacts, including furniture, household items, musical instruments, tools, autos and clothing.
Is it open all year?+
Travel Alberta lists it for spring, summer and fall, so expect it to be closed in winter. Check the museum's website before you go.
What is the house next door?+
Murray House is a whole house that was bought from a 1919 Eaton's catalogue. It now holds a cafe and boutique.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, Travel Alberta lists it as suitable for families, and children usually like the old cars and tools.
