The “Come Eravamo” (The Way We Were) Folk Museum was set up in the former Palazzo Bono in the village of  Santa Cristina near Borgomanero  in 1992. Founded by the “Local Agricultural Civilization Group”, its aims are to preserve and exhibit to the public the rich collection of articles amassed by Dr Dino Cerutti and other local enthusiasts.

A gallery and five rooms are laid out as authentically reconstructed environments typical of the rural world of the past. Exhibits include furniture, soft furnishings, clothes, and jewellery,  as well as  tools, agricultural implements, old photographs, “santini” (holy pictures) and religious objects. The reconstruction of the schoolroom is particularly effective.

The cellar, which has recently been opened to the public, illustrates the process of wine-making, with information panels describing the process in greater detail.

The museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month and by arrangement for groups and schoolchildren.