Harvesting at Brubacher House

Over the years, Brubacher House hosts have harvested from several areas of the museum’s property. From maple syrup in the spring to the fall vegetable harvest, there is always lots of locally grown food to eat.

Maple syrup

Josh stands outside beside a maple tree. It is set up to harvest sap for syrup.

Joshua Enns collecting maple sap, March 2018.

jars of maple syrup

Canned maple syrup from the Brubacher House grounds, March 2019. - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Crab apples

Crab apple trees on the lawn of Brubacher House, Spring 1993.

Crab apple trees on the lawn of Brubacher House, Spring 1993. - Howard and Carol Gimbel (1991-1994)

apple blossoms bloomoutside Brubacher House

Apple blossoms, 1996. - Arlyn and Judith Friesen Epp (1994-2000)

six ontario fruit baskets full of crab apples

“The crab apple trees were loaded! We picked them, gave away, and canned them.” 1985 - Ida Habermehl and Dorothy Bean (1982-1986)

Canning jars with crab apples, peaches, potatoes on a shelf.

“The crab apple trees were loaded! We picked them, gave away, and canned them.” 1985 - Ida Habermehl and Dorothy Bean (1982-1986)

Two pots boil crab apples

Crab apple harvest, 2019 - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Laura leans back in her chair, clearly exhausted from the effort of canning crab apples

A tarp laid out on the ground is full of crab apples as part of the harvest in summer

Crab apple harvest, 2019 - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Josh uses a long stick to poke at a crab apple tree, making the fruit fall onto tarps below.

Crab apple harvest, 2019 - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Josh climbs a crab apple tree to harvest

Crab apple harvest, 2019 - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

A collection of jars with red jelly from crab apples

Crab apple harvest, 2019 - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

“Jennie experimented with heritage canning and preserving recipes, and displayed the wares in the basement pantry cupboard. Crabapple jelly was the most successful and most delicious. The recipe was often requested and shared (1 cup sugar to 1 cup juice from cooked, quartered crabapples. Boil juice/sugar mixture until it sheets off a spoon. Pour into hot jars.)”

- Colin and Jennie Wiebe (2000-2004)

Vegetable garden

View of the vegetable garden in 1983. A well kept lawn, the drive shed, and a hint of colombia lake in the background.

View of the vegetable garden in 1983. A well kept lawn, the drive shed, and a hint of colombia lake in the background.

Excerpts from Dorothy Bean’s diary:

May 14, 1983: Dug more flower beds and planted onions and sweet peas.

June 8, 1983: Planted Seneca Chief corn and onion sets.

July 13, 1983: Picked 1st peas.

August 28, 1983: To Erb St. Ida and I spoke to the children on “Our garden”. Had basket of flowers and veggies.

March 29, 1986: Dug parsnips out of garden.

October 2, 1986: In afternoon went to Brubacher House to clean up garden. Pulled up carrots, beets, potatoes, tomatoes and horse radish.

- Ida Habermehl and Dorothy Bean (1982-1986)

Gimbels’ vegetable garden, 1993.

Gimbels’ vegetable garden, 1993. - Howard and Carol Gimbel (1991-1994)

Four Square Garden, July 2019.

Four Square Garden, July 2019. - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Four Square Garden, July 2019.

Four Square Garden, July 2019. - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

The garden, April 1980

The Maitlands’ garden, April 1980.- Nancy and Ted Maitland (1977-1982)

a collection of flowers, corn and pumpkins

Fall harvest, October 2019. - Laura and Joshua Enns (2017-present)

Berries

Elderberry tree on Brubacher House grounds, September 2006.

Elderberry tree on Brubacher House grounds, September 2006. - Bethany and Brandon Leis (2006-2009)

Two hands hold a bowl of raspberries

The first July harvest of raspberries from the garden, July 2013. - Jacquie and Karl Reimer (2013-2017)