The Homestead Journal
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.
How the John Brown House Got Broken
Curiosity - to “see what we could do” to save the farmhouse - is what pushed JBHF into existence. But it is the curiosity of children like Nadia that will secure its future. We want Nadia and other children (like YOU) to keep asking questions, to get involved, and even to help determine our future programing. One of the ways we can help you to do that is by answering your questions from the start!
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!
Into the Unknown
Being taught to seek opportunities when faced with areas of unfamiliarity, is enriching and feels like a thousand doors being opened instead of a thousand doors being closed. It regularly leads me to new perspectives, discoveries, ideas, and people. It’s a fulfilling feeling and one that I am excited to share with others. By keeping education at it’s core, JBHF’s goal is to invite the local community into their process, to learn and grow together, and to continue to discover and foster the myriad of benefits our heritage sites can offer.
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.
Attic Floor Restoration
With it’s heavy beams and church-like a-frame, the John Brown House attic at the Brown Homestead is no different. Behind a nearly hidden door on the second floor landing, and up a steep and narrow stair, this space, empty but for some old windows stacked against one wall, already has a singular and intriguing ethos.
A New Approach to Cultural Heritage
The John Brown Heritage Foundation was founded in 2015 to preserve and maintain significant heritage buildings and sites.
Winter Newsletter
Our 2017 Winter newsletter is now out, featuring local eventspirations, upcoming restoration projects, and drinking on the job!
Heritage Resonates
The 2016 National Trust of Canada Conference, Heritage Rising, took place this past week in Hamilton. Inspired by the perfect host city - great people, great heritage - a record number of participants engaged in a diverse and lively discussion.
Volunteer Opportunities
We currently have several different opportunities for volunteers in diverse areas. Whatever your interest, we have a job for you!
Year One Overview | August 2016
Looking back on the past year, it is hard to believe how far the organization has come. We have made considerable progress toward our goals of building the organization, restoring the John Brown House and developing the Brown Homestead.
The Schoharie Uprising and the Battle of the Flockey
As the British plan for the invasion of New York to divide New England from the rest of the colonies was coming together, there was much activity in the Schoharie Valley that would have a direct bearing on the future of the Brown family.
The Battle of Oriskany
Today is the 238th anniversary of the Battle of Oriskany, one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution and a defining moment of the war in New York. It also had a deep impact on the fate of John and Magdalena Brown and their family.