Over 40 years of stories
After living at a museum, the live-in hosts have many fond memories of their time at Brubacher House.
Paul and Edna Hunsberger holding the Brubacher family tea set, April 1990.
Photo credit: University of Waterloo Archives. Central Photographic negative collection.
“We felt honoured that the BH committee, led by Lorna Bergey and Lorraine Roth, trusted us with the curator role - given our young age (the first university students to take the role) and our non-Swiss Mennonite background. It was our privilege to get to know them better as they took us on country-side tours, shared some of their research, etc.”
“We hosted a few parties in front of the open hearth fire in the basement, including a costumed, NYE murder mystery.”
Oct. 10, 1983: Red blimp blown up in sports field and took off
“Starting plants on the window sills each February. The summer kitchen in the winter was amazing, being able to watch a movie with the fire roaring. Hosting church events - youth group activities, Easter sunrise services down by the lake or tobogganing on the hill let us practice our hosting skills in other unique ways beyond just tours of the museum.”
“We got to host Doors Open Waterloo Region, which was a really exciting day at the house. It was one of our busiest days in our 4 year stay, and we also got to connect with some local history fans who made those tours very memorable and exciting.”
“The opportunity for a young university-student-couple to work in exchange for rent meant we could graduate relatively debt free. This was an incredible gift that we have not forgotten.”
"We loved pulling the bell with guests and watching the reactions of people who were nearby."
"We often had visitors meander on the back porch or peer through the windows. We found living at BH to be both a private and public experience. And having young children present, those distinctions often blurred (children ran downstairs during a tour, children 'claimed' the soccer fields as their own, children rang the bell to startle passers-by, children's flannel diapers hung from the laundry line in sight of the soccer pitch, etc.)."
“Hosting a private concert for friends and family with Laura’s folk/jazz group, ‘Jam and Brie.’ Marking math tests by firelight in the basement.”
“We hosted Christine Brubaker and Erin Brubacher on site as they learned about their shared ancestry (they called themselves '7th Cousins') and started to develop ideas around what art project / drama / 'automythography' could be created in relation to them, the Brubacher family and the home. In the end, the pair walked from Lancaster County, PA to the house over the course of about 30 days, and we held a welcoming ceremony when they arrived. They turned the tale of their walk, the people they met along the way and the discoveries they made about their historical past into an amazing play. Being a small part of that experience with them was really special to us.”
“Connecting with visitors who were engaged by the artifacts and history.
“Also, when Brandon brought a virtual museum tour to Grebel students when their visit was cancelled due to rain. Our puppet Stanley was their guide through the museum.”
“It was also a privilege for our first two children (ages 4 and 1 when we left) to have the space of the soccer fields, trail around Columbia Lake, other green space (golf course, Laurel Creek) so close at hand. They were also, occasionally, added features to our tours - and our eldest grew to know some of the 'talk'.”
“Living at the Museum was a great way to start our married life together. It was a great way to work on our people skills, giving tours and communicating with others. It was a beautiful place to live, which at times felt public and busy, while at other times secluded and isolated (apart from the hourly drive-by’s by the campus police). Our parents often said that while we were living at the Brubacher house we weren’t in the 'real world' and we really appreciated the fact that we could trade our time for managing the museum and tours in exchange for living rent free. Even today when recalling stories with our family and friends, it seems like a surreal time in our lives to recall the years when we lived in a Museum.”
“We absolutely loved the grounds around BHouse and felt very spoiled by so much natural beauty, and the ability to host campfires with friends.“
“Sitting on the back porch and enjoying the natural area around the Brubacher House. Watching the stars on the soccer field with friends.”
“We are still certain that the grandfather clock bonged twice one night when it was completely broken and not working. It was creepy.”
