The Historic Luxton Home Museum

The Historic Luxton Home Museum

The Historic Luxton Home Museum
4.5
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
OPEN May 16 - October 7, 2019 What do these 3 things have in common: a west coast Nootkan canoe, Winnipeg, and the Banff Hot Springs? Answer–Norman Luxton of Banff. Norman, born in Winnipeg in 1876, landed in Victoria, BC in 1901 and decided to sail around the world with Captain John Voss in a retrofitted 38-foot dug-out Nootkan canoe named Tilikum. Both have varying tales of the trip, but they agree that Norman almost died from coral poisoning. Back in Victoria, concerned friends mentioned Norman looked "rather terrible" and should take a trip to Banff for the medicinal hotsprings. Norman did, and the Luxton Legacy begins. With an energetic personality and a savvy business mind, Norman became “Mr. Banff”. His business ventures were many, he had ties to the Stoney First Nations, he assisted with the Calgary Stampede. Norman's home remains in Banff as a museum, and is full of curiosities. Come visit to hear more adventurous tales about Norman, his wife Georgina, and daughter Eleanor.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

ki
Hannibal, MO9 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
A real treasure. All of the family’s original things. Lynne the docent was welcoming and so knowledgeable. What a fun find. Donations appreciated. This family was a big part of Banff history. Daughter had 4 college degrees and lived in the house until her death 1994 or 1995. She set up a foundation to preserve the house and history. Amazing family.
Written June 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

johnnnita
Napa, CA2,470 contributions
Oct. 2022
We checked this place out during our day in Banff town. It's just a block or two from the main Banff street. It's located on Beaver Street which in itself is worth a walk down. There are other historical houses along the way that you may find interesting.

The Luxton House itself on our visit seemed "out of season" in that the landscape and gardens seemed to need some grooming. We couldn't go inside on this day. The Luxton home residence is part of a larger foundation in Banff. If you aren't familiar with this area and history, it may not be of notice.

Still, a walk down this part of Beaver street is interesting. One of the homes still had what appeared to be Halloween decorations still up.
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jmch491
Washington DC, DC99 contributions
Sep. 2019
This house is along a street with other historic houses, and it is worthwhile to stop in. In addition to a lovely arrangement of objects showing how this family lived, the garden is beautiful!
Written September 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mf62
London, UK130 contributions
Sep. 2019
It's very small and cramped so more than 2 people would feel like too many. Eclectic collection, but some wonderful china and fabulous furniture (I covet the desk in the study). It's like going into someone's house, but on a day they've decided to put everything they own on display. The garden is delightful and a must. I loved the sweet-pea.
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BGS2013
Brisbane, Australia412 contributions
Oct. 2018 • Friends
Luxton House is about 1 block off the main street of Banff so very easily accessable. It is well worth a visit as the family history and artifacts are facinating. No entry fee and donate if you want to.
Written October 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am so glad you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for stopping in, and thanks for letting people know we are easy to get to!
Written October 3, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Charlotte A
Franz Josef, New Zealand15 contributions
Jun. 2018 • Couples
I love historic houses and always try to visit as many as I can. We arrived at the house and was empty except for the Volunteers who greeted us warmly. The small cottage was bursting with little treasures and it painted a story of the family who was inhabitated. It was such a delight to explore however I did feel that the Volunteers hovered and I found it hard to relax and enjoy my time. I also thought there needed to be more labels to identify the different artefacts. There was a particularly interesting feature in the dining room that I wanted to know what it was but as there was not name for this was unsure what it was.
All in all a delightful little gem.
Written August 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit the Historic Luxton Home, and to create a review. Your feedback is valuable. We are indeed a small museum, and this is the first summer we have had summer students to assist us with the open hours. We feel so lucky to have received grant money to do this! Eleanor Luxton (daughter of the family) created the Foundation that allows us to keep the home as a museum, and it was her express wish to have the home remain as it always was. And, as you say, it is full of little treasures. Many items are not covered or in cases to protect from the public, so it may be the reason our staff seems to hover... to keep an eye on things. It's a tricky task and delicate balance, we want people to feel comfortable and take as much time as they like to look around but need to ensure nothing gets touched.. As for the labeling of the artifacts - you are so right. And it's been in discussion for years. The pros and the cons. Labels would certainly offer more information, but then there is the concern the house would feel less like a home. But I am working on that. If, by chance, you have a photo of the object you are interested in, I can let you know what it is. I hope you might get a chance to visit again. Best wishes from Banff. Lynne Huras Museum Manager
Written August 18, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kevin M
Winnipeg, Canada146 contributions
Jul. 2017 • Couples
On a rainy day, we we did an all-day walk of the townsite, and we saw approximately half of the buildings listed in the Walking Through Banff’s History leaflet (self-guided tour). Historic Luxton Home was one of many interesting buildings on the walking tour.
Written January 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RK91
4 contributions
Sep. 2017 • Friends
We'd just pulled up in Banff and the plaque for Norman Luxton caught our eye as we passed by, then noticed the very quaint Luxton house museum. Iris came to the door and warmly welcomed us in, and gave an excellent tour of the treasure trove that is The Historic Luxton Home.

It's donations only, and a fantastic insight into Banffs history. A great starting point in the town. Go visit!
Written September 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So very glad you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for saying so! And I will pass on your comments to Iris, she is a gem herself. ~lynne.
Written September 29, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Christina
New Brunswick, Canada99 contributions
Sep. 2017 • Family
There is so much great history in this home! We were a little worried about visiting as we have 5 young children but they loved seeing the items and pictures on the walls. The curator was welcoming and very knowledgeable and took time to answer our questions. I would definitely recommend this as a must see in Banff.
Written September 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We love introducing the local history to families! So glad that you decided to visit. Thank you. ~lynne
Written September 29, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Terry E
Saskatoon, Canada3,663 contributions
Sep. 2017 • Couples
this is a good example of the homes of the past in Banff
The garden has a screened in area in the back yard.
Basically a small home by today's standards
Written September 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting the Luxton home and garden. Our garden is also a small gem being one of the last remaining of it's style (Arts & Crafts) in Western Canada. ~lynne.
Written September 29, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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THE HISTORIC LUXTON HOME MUSEUM - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Historic Luxton Home Museum