Exhibits and programs

What would it be like to live in a museum?

"Life Upstairs" is a digital exhibit that tells the fascinating history of Brubacher House's live-in hosts through personal stories, photos and videos from past and present hosts.

Curated by Brubacher House 2021 Digital Historian-in-Residence Bethany Leis in partnership with Web Designer Chris Steingart. Supported by the J. Winfield Fretz Publication Fund of the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario and Conrad Grebel University College.

Explore the Life Upstairs digital exhibit!

Watch the event recording from our exhibit launch on YouTube.

We loved to bring sledders hot chocolate and meet people out on the winter hill, encouraging them to come visit us again in warmer days.

Jacquie and Karl Reimer (2013-2017)

Curious tourists, skunk invasions, biblical basement floods, incredible lake views and sunsets... just a day in the life of a Brubacher House host!

What is it like to live in a museum? An exciting new digital exhibit explores this question from the perspective of the 22 hosts who have called Brubacher House home.

After two years of closure due to COVID-19, Brubacher House has now reopened for pre-scheduled tours and event space rentals. Please review our COVID-19 health and safety protocols below before planning your visit.

Current Artists-in-Residence

This season, we are thrilled to host University of Guelph PhD candidate and community-based researcher Janna Martin, together with Renison University College Faculty member, theatre scholar, and practitioner of Theatre of the Oppressed Amir Al-Azraki as our 2025-26 Artists-in-Residence.

More information to come about their upcoming Forum Theatre performances braiding Indigenous and Mennonite histories in Waterloo Region!

Janna Martin

Amir Al-Azraki

Artist-in-Residence program

Since 2017, we have welcomed seasonal Artists-in-Residence--local, emerging or professional artists and artisans--to create and share work inspired by Brubacher House and its history. The program also provides opportunities for artists to engage with the community through participatory arts workshops. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario which makes this program possible.