Media Release
August 5, 2026
Niagara Geopark and The Brown Homestead Formalize Partnership and Geosite Designation
ST. CATHARINES, ON — July 29, 2026 — Niagara Geopark and The Brown Homestead have formalized a new partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding that strengthens their shared commitment to public education, place-based learning and the responsible interpretation of Niagara’s geological, Indigenous and colonial histories.
Through the agreement, The Brown Homestead has been officially designated as a geosite within the Niagara Geopark network. The designation recognizes the historic site’s location along important historical routes, including the Mohawk Trail, its proximity to the geomorphologically significant Short Hills, and its value as an educational and cultural landmark.
“This partnership reflects what the Niagara Geopark is all about—helping people understand how the land, history and communities of Niagara are connected,” said Perry Hartwick, Board Chair, Niagara Geopark. “The Brown Homestead provides an important place for exploring those connections honestly and thoughtfully, while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Niagara beyond the surface.”
The partnership will support collaborative educational initiatives, community engagement and place-based storytelling. It also establishes a framework for Geopark signage and interpretive panels to be installed at The Brown Homestead.
As a colonial-era historic site, The Brown Homestead is committed to presenting a fuller and more honest account of local history by including diverse perspectives and examining the complex relationships and shared histories of Indigenous and settler communities.
“The stories connected to this land extend far beyond a single building or period in time,” said Andrew Humeniuk, Executive Director of The Brown Homestead. “Working with Niagara Geopark will help us connect the Homestead’s history to the broader cultural and natural landscape, while continuing to approach that work with care, honesty and respect.”
The organizations will also cross-promote programs and opportunities that help people connect with the region’s landscapes, history and communities.
The partnership supports Niagara Geopark’s broader mission to help people experience Niagara beyond the surface and understand the relationships among geology, culture, Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship. Through its guiding principles - Engage, Educate and Explore - the Geopark encourages people both visitors and residents, to become part of its continuing story and its future.
About the Niagara Geopark
Niagara Geopark is a Canadian registered educational charity dedicated to deepening the connection to Niagara's geologic heritage and enhancing the understanding of key issues facing society, such as the use of the Earth's resources sustainably and mitigating the effects of climate change. The Geopark is working to establish a world-class UNESCO Global Geopark designation for Niagara.
About The Brown Homestead
The Brown Homestead is a historic site in St. Catharines committed to preserving rural Niagara history, celebrating heritage conservation and craftsmanship, fostering public education, and supporting meaningful community engagement around heritage, cultural landscapes, and stewardship.
Media Contacts:
Niagara Geopark
Perry Hartwick, PGeo
Chair, Niagara Geopark
The Brown Homestead
Andrew Humeniuk
Executive Director
ahumeniuk@thebrownhomestead.ca
(905) 328-1646
