The Homestead Journal

Common Ground: A Brief History of Floorcloths

Common Ground: A Brief History of Floorcloths

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.

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Natural Pigments and Watercolour Paints

Natural Pigments and Watercolour Paints

Natural pigments are part of our land, found in the most obvious and wild places. They are the plants we eat and smell, the rocks we hike over and drive past, and the minerals all around us. We used such pigments in our very first Natural Pigments Watercolour Workshop!

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Come Grow With Us
Community, Process The Brown Homestead Community, Process The Brown Homestead

Come Grow With Us

As part of our Victory Garden program this year, we have created a series of videos explaining the process of growing seedlings at home. Once the seedlings are planted in May, come out to the Victory Garden to learn more about how to help your vegetables flourish!

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Creating a Vibrant Culture
Community, Process, Reflection The Brown Homestead Community, Process, Reflection The Brown Homestead

Creating a Vibrant Culture

Our volunteers and staff are ambassadors of this organization, relaying our mission to the public and embodying our values through their daily activities. Thus, it is important that we dedicate time towards ensuring a positive work environment for everyone who is involved in this special place.

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Conserving The Brown Homestead: First Steps
Process, Heritage Conservation, JBHF News The Brown Homestead Process, Heritage Conservation, JBHF News The Brown Homestead

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.

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