The Brown Homestead 8/12/22 The Brown Homestead 8/12/22

Doors Open 2022

You are invited to join us as we once again open the doors of the oldest house in St. Catharines to the public.

The Brown Homestead 7/25/22 The Brown Homestead 7/25/22

“No Job Less Enviable”: Surgeons and the Battle of Lundy’s Lane

When the sun rose over Lundy’s Lane on the 26th of July, 1814, the light washed over a battlefield that had experienced an immense amount of bloodshed.

The Brown Homestead 6/10/22 The Brown Homestead 6/10/22

“The Most Determined Spirit of Hostility”: The Brown Family in the War of 1812

John and Magdalena Brown found refuge in Niagara following the American Revolution, but their children would soon be embroiled in yet another conflict, the War of 1812.

The Brown Homestead 5/20/22 The Brown Homestead 5/20/22

The Good Ol’ Canadian Hockey Game

For many Canadians, hockey is a part of our identity. The Brown Homestead has seen its share of both victory and heartbreak when it comes to the good ol’ hockey game …

The Brown Homestead 4/22/22 The Brown Homestead 4/22/22

Rooted in History

“We do not need to look to the far distant past before we find ancestors who were tied to the soil …”

The Brown Homestead 3/25/22 The Brown Homestead 3/25/22

The History of Brown

A short history of brown and its very, very important place in our world and society.

The Brown Homestead 3/20/22 The Brown Homestead 3/20/22

My Time at The Brown Homestead

Our outgoing Heritage Coordinator Rick Pali, reflects on his time at The Brown Homestead as part of his diploma in Heritage Conservation at the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts.

The Brown Homestead 2/18/22 The Brown Homestead 2/18/22

An Inclement Journey Across Niagara, 1803

Francis Goring traveled through the entire Niagara peninsula on foot every winter from 1803-1808, delivering letters for his employer.

The Brown Homestead 1/14/22 The Brown Homestead 1/14/22

Producing Potash at Rockway

In the early 19th century, Rockway Conservation area was a bustling with working people, home to a potashery at the Fifteen Mile Falls.

The Brown Homestead 12/20/21 The Brown Homestead 12/20/21

Christmas Through the Years

Why do we cut down evergreen trees and put them in our living rooms every December? Why do people kiss under the mistletoe? And what is plum pudding, anyway? In this episode, we explore the curious origins of our Christmas traditions with domestic historian and historic interpreter Meg Grimsmo from the Nelles Manor Museum.

The Brown Homestead 12/17/21 The Brown Homestead 12/17/21

Deck the Halls with Boughs of ... Oranges?

Are you looking for a fun family activity this holiday season? Something artsy with a vintage flair? Well look no further! This instructional “how-to” article will explain how to make your own traditional Christmas decorations - like we did.

The Brown Homestead 11/26/21 The Brown Homestead 11/26/21

En Plein Air

We recently had the pleasure of hosting a group of local painters at The Brown Homestead - the Niagara Plein Air Artists.

The Brown Homestead 11/17/21 The Brown Homestead 11/17/21

What To Do About Watson

In this episode, we dig into the complicated question of what to do about the controversial statue to Private Alexander Watson in front of St. Catharines City Hall.

The Brown Homestead 11/5/21 The Brown Homestead 11/5/21

“The Worst in the World!”

We often find ourselves imagining what it was like to travel these same routes100 years ago… 200 years ago… 500 years ago…

The Brown Homestead 10/27/21 The Brown Homestead 10/27/21

Cemetery Life

How cemeteries, as historical sites, help us celebrate life and shape a better future.

The Brown Homestead 10/6/21 The Brown Homestead 10/6/21

Anarchy 2.0

Discussing the future of heritage conservation with the Museum Anarchist himself, Franklin Vagnone.

The Brown Homestead 9/17/21 The Brown Homestead 9/17/21

Making an Impact

Our outgoing intern, Jake Breadman, reflects on his time spent at The Brown Homestead as he heads back to the University of Western Ontario to complete his Masters Degree in Public History.