Pioneer Acres is a fascinating destination located just north of Irricana, Alberta. With a diverse range of exhibits, Pioneer Acres offers a unique experience that takes visitors back in time to understand the early days of farming and rural life in Canada.
Operated by the Pioneer Acres Plowmen and Threshermen's Club of Alberta, this museum prioritizes artifacts made or used in the province. Guests enjoy an extensive collection of agricultural machinery; transportation equipment; and various household, business, and personal items representative of Alberta's history.
One of the most popular attractions is the grain academy. Access to the newly moved grain academy was supposed to take place in 2020, but COVID put a delay on that. Undeterred, the museum’s board and volunteers took that downtime to install the academy and add touches that truly make it a visit to remember.
Diana Rowe, Marketing Coordinator with Pioneer Acres, says, “The grain academy was moved from the Calgary Stampede grounds. It includes a cross section of a scale model working grain elevator. The display is about six feet tall and shows the entire process, from grain being received to its transport up into the bins in the elevator. Then, the working model train demonstrates the transportation of grain. Children especially love watching the train travel through the mountains to the grain terminals on the west coast.”
Another very popular event is the live crop demonstration. Rowe explains, “A crop is planted in the early fall. That crop, usually rye, is ready for cutting and binding by early August of the following year. The crop is cut and bound by a traditional machine called a grain binder, which is pulled by horses or a tractor. Once the grain is bundled and pushed off the machine, the bundles are stacked into groups of three to five by our volunteers. Then the bundles are loaded by hand into hay racks and taken to the threshing machine. That is where the grain is separated from the straw. The grain is transported away by truck and the straw is baled.”
Many guests plan their visit to Pioneer Acres around the Annual Show. Book a spot in the campground early to be first on site for this very popular event, which is celebrating its 53rd anniversary.
The Annual Show is a three-day festival held in August. It features live demonstrations of antique tractors, steam engines, and horse-drawn equipment, showcasing the evolution of farming technology. Visitors love the various exhibits, parades, blacksmithing, and threshing. This family-friendly event offers activities for all ages, including children's games, a market, and food vendors, making it an entertaining and educational experience for everyone.
Every year the Annual Show features an agricultural manufacturer; this year John Deere will be featured as the brand celebrates its Model D tractor’s 100th anniversary.
Recently, Pioneer Acres received a one-of-a-kind donation.
“It’s a botanical watercolour collection featuring 16 plant images,” says Rowe. “Each painting is a farm weed and has an inlay of the seed of that weed. The collection, which was painted by artist Norman Criddle, was very valuable for early prairie farmers to help them identify weeds back in the day.”
The collection was given new frames and is on display in the museum’s antique grain boxcar.
Another important donation came from the family of the late Ron Carey, who was known for his extensive antique truck collection. After his passing, the family generously donated part of his collection to the museum.
Visit for a day trip, for a specific event, or to view one of the collections. Each visit helps Pioneer Acres preserve the history of agriculture in our region for the next generation. With every passing year, those stories fade – your visits to, and support of, the museum help to keep this important part of our history alive.
Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and educational day out, Pioneer Acres is a must-visit destination. So, what are you waiting for? Step back in time and have an experience like no other at Pioneer Acres. Learn more online and on Facebook and YouTube.
