Celebrations

Significant milestones and special occasions at Brubacher House

While Brubacher House artifacts remained in the 1850s, life in the upstairs apartment carried on.  Many birthdays and special occasions have been and continue to be celebrated by the custodians and hosts of Brubacher House.

Beginnings

Weddings

Nancy and Ted stand beside a bookshelf and desk in Brubacher House, as part of their wedding reception with family

March 4, 1980 – Nancy and Ted’s wedding “reception” with family. - Nancy and Ted Maitland (1977-1982)

Chris, in a suit, and Jillian, in a dress, stand together outside of Brubacher House.

July 10, 2004 – Chris Steingart and Jillian Burkhardt had their wedding photos taken at Brubacher House.
“Having the Brubacher house as the backdrop for our wedding photographs was a unique opportunity. While there were always several wedding parties to show up on a summer weekend to take pictures around the property, we felt special that we had the ability to take some unique indoor shots in the museum as well!”
Chris Steingart and Jillian Burkhardt (2004-2006)

Births

There were four babies born while their parents lived at the Brubacher House.

July 19, 1996/June 6, 1999

Two small children sit in the grass outside Brubacher House, beside the rock sign with flowers

July 19, 1996 – Allegra Friesen Epp was born. June 6, 1999 – Bryn Friesen Epp was born.

“It was special that two of our children were born in the house with midwives - continuing the practice of home-births so commonplace at the time of the Brubachers. It felt like we had a kinship with them :).”

“On a personal note, we received permission from BH and U of W to plant two trees after the birth of our first two children born in BH. We planted a gingko for our first-born and a Japanese Ivory Silk for our second. The gingko is right beside the BH sign, and the Ivory Silk is near it.”

Arlyn and Judith Friesen Epp (1994-2000)

The rock sign for Brubacher house, with two newly planted trees.

“Our son was born 5 months after we left so his beginnings were while we were there.”

Allison and Mark Brubacher (2009-2013)

June 2003

Colin and Jennie hold their newborn baby

Naomi Wiebe was born while Colin and Jennie were hosts at the Brubacher House.

Colin and Jennie Wiebe (2000-2004)

December 1, 2019

Laura and Josh hold new born baby Oren in Brubacher House

Oran Isaac Enns was born at Brubacher House, in a home birth attended by St. Jacobs Midwives. Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Graduations

Celebrating academic achievements.

June 2001

Colin and Jennie excitedly show off rings on their fingers!

June 2001 - Showing off the newest addition to the family ring collection: Colin’s iron ring (UWaterloo Engineering graduation).

June 2008

Bethany, in graduate robes, takes a photo with Brandon at convocation cermeonies

June 2008 – Bethany graduated with a Masters in Library and Information Science

Bethany and Brandon Leis (2006-2009)

October 2003

October 2003 - Colin graduated with his Masters of Applied Science.

Colin and Jennie take a photo with their young child during graduation

Wedding anniversaries

Paul and Edna Hunsberger as well as Howard and Carol Gimbel celebrated their 40th wedding anniversaries while they were hosts.

There were many 5th wedding anniversaries celebrated:

  • Arlyn and Judith Friesen Epp (1994-2000)

  • Bethany and Brandon Leis (2006-2009)

  • Allison and Mark Brubacher (2009-2013)

  • Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Two Brubacher House hosts stand outside of Brubacher House on a summer evening

Other milestones

Ida Habermehl and Dorothy Bean obtained their Canadian citizenship:

Jan. 31, 1986 – Ida became a Canadian citizen in Waterloo.

Feb. 28, 1986 – [Dorothy] To immigration and became Canadian citizen. Received pin and card.