Keeping the Past Present

Cultivating cultural experiences to inspire the future generations.

Make a Lasting Impact:
Invest in experiential learning today to enrich lives tomorrow.

This has been a foundational year for The Brown Homestead and with your support, we are ready to expand and continue to enrich our programs to make an even greater impact next year and beyond.

We have hosted a variety of well-rounded programs including educational talks, interactive heritage and gardening workshops, and have welcomed countless visitors to explore the oldest home in St. Catharines. But this is just the beginning.

Home to more than 200 years of history, The Brown Homestead’s story continues with you. Your support this past year has demonstrated that historic sites like ours can inspire connection, foster learning, and bring the past into the present.

The Powers Family sitting in the front steps of the John Brown House with members of the Canadian military during WWI. St. Catharines Museum, 2015.22.212.

What does this mean for the future?

At the heart of what we do is cultivating meaningful connections and forging impactful partnerships with the community. It means that we are excited to extend our impact even further, creating new opportunities for community connection and engagement through our programming. Together, we can continue to ensure that The Brown Homestead is a place for people to connect with one another and learn from the past, empowering many generations to come.

Help shape our vision and build a future where people can gather to
learn, grow, create and explore at Niagara’s Homestead.

Mackenzie Campbell explains historic insulation techniques at our Open Door Day.

Why give?

As an independent charitable organization,
The Brown Homestead does not receive any government funding. We must rely on donations from our community to help offset programming costs. 

Your contribution enables us to offer free or low-cost interactive workshops, events, tours, community initiatives, and educational resources for all members of our community.

Students from Willowbank School of Restoration Arts rebuilding the ballroom wall.

When you donate today, your gift will help us continue to achieve these 3 objectives:

  • Nurture community connection by celebrating Niagara’s cultural heritage.

    • Public Tours

    • Open Door Days

    • Heritage Crafts Workshops

    • Community Events and Outreach efforts at local organizations, events, festivals, markets

    • Grow @ the Homestead (Speaker and Workshop Series)

    • Seedling Giveaway Initiative

    • Christmas Craft Workshops

  • Explore innovative methods that showcase Niagara’s agricultural history & built heritage.

    • Collaborations with Brock University and Willowbank School of Restoration Arts

    • Research Projects

    • Journal Articles

    • Podcast Episodes

    • Mapping the Brown Homestead

    • GuideTags

    • Land Registry Workshops

  • Transform historic sites into active community gathering spaces for the future.

    • On-going Ballroom restoration

    • Ballroom wallpaper Augmented Reality project

    • On-going rehabilitation of the 1850s Dairy

By supporting The Brown Homestead, you are helping ensure that our shared history can continue to inspire a more vibrant future for all.

Turning Purpose into Progress

Our 2024 Impact so Far

Every dollar counts.

A gift today allows us to continue to share valuable insights from the past and create experiences that shape our legacy.

Join us!

Be a part of preserving our place in Niagara’s future—donate today and help write the next chapter of our story.