The Homestead Journal
The Michigan Spectacle
At 3 o’clock p.m. on Saturday, September 8th, 1827, an event like no one had ever seen before took place in Niagara Falls, witnessed by thousands of spectators lining both shores. The Michigan, an old, condemned lake schooner, floated down the Niagara River towards the great cataract. It was dressed up like a pirate ship and carrying multiple human effigies, two bears, a buffalo, a dog, a raccoon, two foxes, a bunch of geese, and an eagle. Most did not survive the plunge.
The Feel of History
The John Brown House asks for your attention. It asks you to notice how your body responds when you enter a space, to ponder who walked across that same squeaky floorboard generations before. And if you let it, the home stays with you long after you leave. That's the quiet work of a place like the The Brown Homestead – to invite you in, one small gesture at a time.
Places That Speak
This article explores what the medium of photography can offer to the field of heritage conservation, and how a creative approach to documenting places can benefit ourselves, heritage sites, and our community.
The Niagara Exercise of 1914
A series of early 20th c. black and white photographs from an old Powers Family photo album indicate that military training had taken place right here at The Brown Homestead just prior to WWI. This visit fits into the broader story of military training at Camp Niagara soon after. The following article illustrates these military manoeuvres through the heart of the Niagara Region, tracing the story through the eyes of The St. Catharines Standard reporters from June 8-12, 1914.
Seedling Giveaway Initiative
This spring, The Brown Homestead’s staff, volunteers, and partners worked together to grow and distribute over 500 vegetable seedlings to Niagara families — free of charge. Explore the map to see the impact of this program in our community.