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The Anna Swan Museum - she was a local giantess (1846 - 1888)
19th Century. Circa 1860's
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada

Credits:
Dale Swan

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The Nova Scotia Giantess - Anna Swan, was born in 1846, in a log cabin at Millbrook, near Tatamagouche

Originally the display about her life was at the Fraser Cultural Centre, but Dale Swan decided he wanted the story of his famous relative with the other museums in the Heritage Centre - to the distress of the Cultural Centre, who insist on maintaing a small display on Anna.

The professionalism of the museum designers have made an attractive period room for the Anna Swan Museum at the Heritage Centre, where Dale can intrigue visitors with his detailed knowledge of Anna's life.

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Anna Swan's home when she was about 5 years old
19th Century. Circa 1850's
Central New Annan, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
Dale Swan

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Anna grew rapidly and at the age of 6, towered above her averaged sized parents. The family moved to a house at Central New Annan where she attended school. She was encouraged to cope with her height - sitting at a raised table to do her work, and eating lunch on the floor so she was the same height as other children on their chairs. So she was brought up as normally as possible, with poise, diginity and self esteem - she was a happy child.
Furniture had to be modified for her as she grew. A 'giant' chair that might well have suited Anna, is situated outside the Heritage Centre during the summer, and is a popular photograhic stop with several children sitting in the seat!.

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Anna Swan with her parents
19th Century. Circa 1860's?
Central New Annan, Nova Scotia, Canada

Credits:
Dale Swan

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Anna grew to a height of almost 8 feet ( about 2.4 metres ) . Seen here as a youngster,with her parents, Alexander and Ann Swan, both of whom were of normal stature.
Although of humble origins, Anna was to achieve fame and fortune.

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Anna as a young woman
19th Century. Circa 1860's?
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada

Credits:
Dale Swan

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As was common at the time Anna, even at a young age, was often appearing at county fairs and exhibitions. Phineas Barnum was keen to get her to join his American Museum in New York but her parents maintained it was for Anna to decide and waited until she was older.

At 15 Anna attended Normal School to train as a teacher. One of Barnum's agents contacted the Swan family again and a decision was made for Anna to join the American Museum. Her Mother accompanied her and stayed with her for several months

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The giantess and giant with average size people
19th Century 1870's?
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada

Credits:
Dale Swan

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In 1865, while at the American Museum, Anna had to be rescued from the third floor, when fire broke out. A section of wall was torn out and Anna lowered by derrick, to the ground. Anna went home where she was a celebrity, until returning to a re-established American Museum. A second fire, however resulted in Barnum's semi-retirement.
Anna joined a group of entertainers about to set off on a European tour. It was during this time she met the' Kentucky Giant'.

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Anna Swan was a great attraction
19th Century. 1855 - 1865?
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada

Credits:
Skyline Atlantic Canada

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Publicity pictures for Barnum's New York Museum, showing Anna with some of the other attractions.
There are several books written about Anna - some especially for children, who love to be photographed standing next to the life size photographs of Anna and her husband. Some people like to try on the reproduction dress and trousers belonging to the couple - it really stresses what it must have been like to be so tall.

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Wedding Day
17 June 1871
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia Canada

Credits:
Dale Swan

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Captain Martin Van Buren Bates was 7 feet 9 inches (2.36metres) tall and had served as a captain in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. After the war he made his way to New York, where he too joined the circus. Apparently he met Anna when she happened to visit the circus whilst it was performing in Halifax Nova Scotia. They got along very well, fell in love and became engaged.
They were married on June 17th 1871 at St Martin in the Fields church in London, England, while touring with the circus. She was 24 and Martin was 25. The service was led by a Nova Scotian, and the wedding arranged by Queen Victoria, whom Anna had met. The Queen was said to be most impressed with Anna, and she provided the many yards of satin and lace for the wedding dress.The Queen also gave them each a gold watch, - Anna's had a chain 6 ft (1.8 metres) long.