Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road North
Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G6
519-885-0220
Conrad Grebel Programs
Certificate Programs
Mennonite Studies
Music
Peace and Conflict Studies
Theological Studies
The Brubacher House was built in 1850 in a style typical of Pennsylvania German architecture. In this beautiful setting on the side of a gentle hill, Magdalena and John E. Brubacher raised fourteen children. Farming continued on the land until 1965 when the property was purchased as part of the University of Waterloo.
The University of Waterloo proposed to preserve and restore one of the original farm homes on the campus in recognition of the Pennsylvania German culture which was represented on the farmlands it purchased, and as a reminder that the total 1,000 acres of the university campus was once owned by Mennonites and devoted to agriculture.
Before restoration could take place, the house was gutted by fire. However, plans for restoration continued with involvement and planning by the University of Waterloo and the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, Conrad Grebel University College and the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. Under the direction of Simeon Martin, a master Mennonite craftsman, and with the assistance of many Mennonite farmers, the house interior was rebuilt to reflect a Pennsylvania German Mennonite home of the 1850-90 period. The furnishings are an authentic reflection of the time period, many of them having been collected from area Mennonite families.
Today the beautifully preserved home has become a landmark overlooking Columbia Lake and the University of Waterloo playing fields. The strong simple architectural lines of a past era contrast the modern lines of buildings on campus.
Open Hours:
Wednesday - Saturday: 2:00 - 5:00 PM
May 1 - October 31
Tours are also available by appointment at other times throughout the year. A special welcome to tour groups, families, school classes, community and church groups.
Maximum group size: 40-50 people
Length of tour: one hour
Event space rental: $25/half-day, $40/full-day
By donation.
Brubacher House is on the University of Waterloo's North Campus. Turn north from Columbia Street at Hagey Boulevard. Turn left at first roundabout onto Frank Tompa Drive and follow road to the parking lot at the very end of the road.
Phone: 519-886-3855
Email: bhouse@uwaterloo.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brubacherhouse/
Operated by Conrad Grebel University College and the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario. Owned by the University of Waterloo.
Historic Brubacher House - A Heritage House on the University of Waterloo Campus. Photograph by Kristin Bergen, August 2003.
Historic Brubacher House - Heritage Landmark Stone. Photograph by Kristin Bergen, August 2003.
Quilts and coverlet from the late 1800's, hung over a hope chest. Photograph by Kristin Bergen, August 2003.
300 year old clock, the oldest piece of furniture in Brubacher House, sits in the formal parlour. Photograph by Kristin Bergen, August 2003.
Tea set owned by John E. Brubacher family who lived in Brubacher House 1850-1902. Photograph by Kristin Bergen, August 2003.
The Brubacher House kitchen fireplace. The kitchen fireplace was the only source of heat in the house. Conrad Grebel University College Photograph.
Dry sink in the kitchen. Water had to be pumped, then heated and poured into the washbasin. Photograph by Kristin Bergen, August 2003.
Most meals at the house would have been eaten on simple plain dinnerware. The main meal of the day was lunch which would have often consisted of boiled potatoes and homemade sausage.
This sofa is in the kitchen and something similar to it would have been used for guests or the head farmer to sit while food was being prepared for a meal.
The pantry at the Brubacher house would have been used to store all sorts of baking ingredients, medicines and food related tools.The corner cupboard was built specifically for the Brubacher House by one of the Brubacher families that lived there. Conrad Grebel University College Photograph.
Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road North
Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G6
519-885-0220
Conrad Grebel Programs
Certificate Programs
Mennonite Studies
Music
Peace and Conflict Studies
Theological Studies