The wallpaper found in historic homes richly offers insight into the families that once occupied its rooms. Read along to learn about what we can draw from the 25 layers of wallpaper uncovered in the John Brown House’s Ballroom, how these layers have been documented, removed, and conserved, and the augmented reality project currently in development with Brock University Department of Digital Humanities that aims to decorate the walls of the Ballroom with these historic patterns once again.

As we undergo the adaptation of our 1850s Dairy into an Ice Cream Shoppe, this summer we invited the public to The Brown Homestead for Open Door Days. Embracing our collective nostalgia for this cold treat, we also invited visitors to share their childhood memories of ice cream. Read on for these sweet memories, and for a recap of The Brown Homestead’s most successful summer yet. 

The decorative floorcloth is integral to a history of home design and artisan production in Canada. Learn about the floorcloth's rise in popularity through the 1700s and how it changed the way families decorated their homes. Also get a glimpse into The Brown Homestead's heritage arts workshop aimed at rekindling our collective appreciation for this traditional craft.