This summer why not take a visit back in time, long before cell phones, laptops and the internet.
If that sounds appealing, here’s some great news: in our community, visiting the past is easy - simply stop by Fultz House Museum in Lower Sackville.
Located on the busy corner of Sackville Drive and Cobequid Road, it’s fun to imagine this corner in the 1860s when Bennett Fultz built his home here: horses, dirt roads, and few other buildings in sight. The Fultz family have a long history in the area as land owners, business owners, farmers, blacksmiths and more, and are regarded as one of the founding families of Sackville.
These days, Fultz House is filled with a variety of items from the 1860s to present day. A visit here is not complete without a guided tour of the home’s two storeys that are open to visitors. Here you will see hundreds of items on display, from kitchen utensils and dishes, to books, furniture, clothing, artwork, toys, and much more.
Walking into the small kitchen at the back of the house, various utensils are displayed, along with a well-preserved cooking stove. Also in the kitchen is the window Bennett’s wife, Mary, used for many years to run her post office. In the dining room, dishes are displayed from different eras. In the centre of the room, the table is set with matching china, seemingly awaiting visitors for a meal. In the parlor, you can see where renovations were done over the years to make this the most spacious room in the house. You can imagine family members and guests relaxing in here and enjoying each other’s company.
Climbing up the narrow staircase to the top floor, the room on the right is believed to have been shared by Bennett and Mary’s four sons. A wooden room divider, a crib, and a baby’s pram are some of the items decorating this room. You can imagine the mischief the Fultz boys likely got into up here. The upstairs includes a room where cream-colored wedding dresses of silk and lace are displayed, including one from Ireland with a silky green swath of fabric on the back of the dress. Another small room, used by teachers who worked in the area, is filled with books, maps, and photos of the community at different times in the past.
Around the outside of the house there are well-kept grounds which include wooded paths and colorful gardens for visitors to enjoy.
From July-September, a Tuesday Tea is held from 12 noon-1:00 pm. We were told that an average of 150-200 people attend each week, with guests enjoying tea, sandwiches and sweets on the grounds and in the museum, for a nominal fee.
The Museum is open until the end of August for tours between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Whether you’re a history buff, have an interest in décor and design, or just want to see an interesting place in our community, Fultz House Museum is certainly worth a visit. Why not stop by this summer to see this piece of our community’s history?
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