The Ross Memorial Museum is housed in a red brick Georgian mansion built in 1824, one of St. Andrews' many historic and architecturally significant buildings.  Once the residence of Loyalist Harris Hatch, the Ross Memorial Museum is now furnished with the stunning furniture and decorative arts collection of Henry Phipps Ross and Sarah Juliette Ross.  (learn more...)

An American couple, the Rosses came to St. Andrews for a picnic early in 1902, fell in love with the area, bought an estate on the edge of town and summered here for the next forty years! Their collection was amassed during those years and features the fine work of 19th century New Brunswick cabinetmakers (learn more...), American and Canadian artists, oriental carpets (learn more...) and objets d'art from their world travels.

The Rosses later purchased Chestnut Hall to become a museum of their collection -- and a lasting legacy of their affection for St. Andrews.

Whether you come for 15 minutes or an hour, we think you'll agree the Ross Memorial Museum is just the right size to fit into your day of sight-seeing in this picturesque seaside town.

While the permanent collection is exhibited in the context of a private home, a special exhibit is featured in the museum's gallery each year.  Local residents say the museum's Open House in early December is the official start of
St. Andrews' event-filled Christmas season.

Volunteers spend literally hundreds of hours decorating every room in the museum, and serving home-baked cookies and mulled cider to visitors.

When the king's surveyor mapped out the town of St. Andrews in 1783, he divided it into sixty perfectly square blocks. The Ross Museum is located in the centre of the original town, an easy walk along wide tree-lined streets to other cultural attractions such as the Sheriff Andrews House, the Charlotte County Archives (housed in the Old Gaol) and Courthouse, Kingsbrae Garden, the Library and several fine early churches -- not to mention the many interesting shops, galleries and restaurants of Water Street.

The Ross Museum is also well-known and much-loved for its annual Christmas programme. Held Thursday through Sunday, the first weekend in December, the event attracts approximately 2,000 visitors and school children. The success of the programme is due to the generosity of literally hundreds of volunteers, from decorators to bakers, hosts to entertainers.

As visitors stroll from room to room, taking in the stunning decorations, they may come across the festive sound of a harp, flute, guitar or voice. The scent of hot mulled cider lures them to the lower level Meeting Place, where dozens of home baked Christmas cookies and squares are served as friends old and new enjoy a visit. No wonder locals look forward to this event which many consider the start of the Christmas season in St. Andrews!

The whole museum is decorated by our wonderful volunteers, home-baked sweets and hot cider are served to one and all, and terrific local music fills the house. Join us to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in beautiful St. Andrews.

Tourism New Brunswick
www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

FundyCulture
www.fundyculture.ca

Beaverbrook Art Gallery
http://www.beaverbrookartgallery.org

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