History of the Museum
In the spring of 2010, the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum had its Grand Opening. But the history of the museum goes back a long ways in time.
Leeward Babbie, the founder of the museum, in 1962 moved his mothers chicken coop from the family farm in Champlain, NY. to his new farm in Peru, NY., unknowingly, moved the first building that would later be placed on the museum grounds.
As years went by, Leeward would collect many antiquities on how people lived in the Champlain Valley and the Adirondacks.
Leeward has always been interested in the memories of families. Many people, when they come to the museum and see the artifacts and demonstrations, will reminisce and tell they're stories.
When Leeward sold his farm in 2002. He started doing custom field work for area agricultural businesses. During the off season, winter, he would plan and work on his long time dream of the museum.
With the help of family members, relatives and friends in the planning stage, it was proposed to be an interactive museum with education and entertainment to be the key points of the project. With this in mind, live demonstrations became an intrical part of the museum.
Leeward Babbie, the founder of the museum, in 1962 moved his mothers chicken coop from the family farm in Champlain, NY. to his new farm in Peru, NY., unknowingly, moved the first building that would later be placed on the museum grounds.
As years went by, Leeward would collect many antiquities on how people lived in the Champlain Valley and the Adirondacks.
Leeward has always been interested in the memories of families. Many people, when they come to the museum and see the artifacts and demonstrations, will reminisce and tell they're stories.
When Leeward sold his farm in 2002. He started doing custom field work for area agricultural businesses. During the off season, winter, he would plan and work on his long time dream of the museum.
With the help of family members, relatives and friends in the planning stage, it was proposed to be an interactive museum with education and entertainment to be the key points of the project. With this in mind, live demonstrations became an intrical part of the museum.