The Homestead Journal
Into the Unknown - Part 2
We have had the pleasure of working closely with Theresa Felicetti from the fall of 2016 through today, her last day at JBHF. Theresa was our first employee, but her contributions have gone beyond the scope of that title. From her inspired ideas to her passion for our vision to her signature warm smile, she has made an indelible impact.
Haul Out the Holly!
It’s that merry time of year again when JBHF decorates The Brown Homestead for the holidays! On Saturday, December 1st our wee army was out in force decking our halls, and we wanted to share the festivities with you!
Call For Volunteers
Your Old-Fashioned Family Reunion celebrates your family’s history and shares a slice of Niagara’s history in the process! If you hold your family reunion with us, your day will include heritage crafts for young and old, historic table games and children’s games, a “family history scavenger hunt”, a “trace your family interactive map,” the creation of a “your family today video,” and more!
Tonight: Shepherds in the Cave
JBHF's Project Manager, Theresa Felicetti, will be speaking at the St. Catharines Performing Arts Centre Film House, following the 7pm showing of the film "Shepherds in the Cave." She will be discussing her experience with The Fornello Project, an extraordinary and progressive cultural and culinary heritage conservation project in Puglia, Italy.
New Season, New Opportunity
A portion of what makes up the Short Hills provincial park was a part of the original 900 acre land grants that were given to John Brown. We are excited to have the opportunity to explore ways we can reconnect the Homestead to the park through our programing. We already know there are bits of Brown Family history hiding within the park, such as the Brown family graveyard!
Kickin’ It Old School at the Marshville Heritage Festival
We are big fans of local events that connect people with each other and with history. One of the ways we celebrate that is by drawing your attention to some of the great local events and experiences that inspire us.
Come Help Us Introduce The Brown Homestead to St. Catharines!
On Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 10am to 4pm, the Brown Homestead will be participating in Doors Open St. Catharines, an event where local heritage treasures are open to the public free of charge. While JBHF has made many solid and fruitful relationships since its inception in late 2015, this will be our first official introduction to the public!
The Attic Adventure
Our Attic Floor Project began on Saturday, April 22nd at the ambitious time of 8:30 am. The Attic Floor Project encompassed many firsts for JBHF. It was our first completed interior conservation project, our first volunteer workshop, and our first “Family Meal.” Another great thing about ‘firsts’ is that they provide great opportunities for reflection.
Conserving The Brown Homestead: First Steps
The key to any successful business venture, non-profit or otherwise, must begin by meeting unmet needs in the community and/or the marketplace. In order to ensure that our heritage sites are preserved, we must make sure that our goals and objectives in sharing and teaching history remain connected to contemporary society and address topical issues. The legacy, charm and beauty of these sites may be apparent to us, but is not always to the broader community. We must look for new ways to reach our audience.