Field Trip: Joseph Schneider Haus

Taking some time to get caught up on some field trips we've done this year and thought you might like to hear about.  We visited Joseph Schneider Haus I think back in August this year.  Located in Kitchener, right off Victoria Park, the day was hot, we stopped for a run in the sprinkler pad and when cooled off walked up the museum, and cooled off again on the way back.  

It's good to go out with a boy child, just mom and lad exploring.  This day took us to the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener, Ontario.

As we walked up along the tree lined road my son exclaimed.."Oh.. Is that where we are going mom?   The place with the garden?"   When I replied yes, he ran ahead and found his way into the garden.   He discovered currant bushes!  BUT I pulled him away and said..."let's explore inside first and get cooled off again, then we'll come out later to the garden and get hot before walking back to cool off again".  :)   He agreed that it was a good idea.

I LOVE when I got  museums with my lad and we are the ONLY people there other than staff.   I find the staff  are more easy going and you learn so much since they don't have to divide their attention.   Today was no exception to the rule.

This young man, I regret I can no longer remember his name, was a delightful guide and interacted so nicely with my lad.   He asked my son good questions and actually WAITED for a response before continuing his history lesson for us.   He was doing a summer internship at the Haus.

Part of the house was dedicated to the Mennonite people and how they can raise buildings quickly.    We were able to see a frame model of the haus, and also watch a time lapse movie of a barn raising.   It is startling how quickly a barn can go up.  

They had a few quilts and pictures up in the area as well.

Going through the rest of the house, we were able to talk with the kitchen staff (dressed in period costume).   They were very friendly as allowed us to take a few of their currants, telling the lad he was more than welcome to eat some fresh from the bush out in the garden later.

Then our young guide pointed out some interesting aspects to the kitchen, what they restored, what they guessed at and showed us the inner workings of their clock and how it keeps perfect time...just five minutes off the hour.

Much of this pottery came from the house and/or from relatives of Joseph Schneider.

More scenes from the house.

As interesting as this small museum was for us, my son was delighted when we finally made it outside to the garden.  Our guide came along, helping us understand how the garden was designed.  He was better informed than many museum staff as he actually knew the names AND uses of the various plants in the garden.   As we talked, the lad planted himself near the currant bushes and had a delicious snack.

I found the gardens well maintained despite the heat wave we've been going through (who wants to work in the garden when it's hot out eh?).

Anyways, I've given you a bit of a walk through of the Joseph Schneider Haus, next time you are in Kitchener, stop by and learn some local history eh?

Fall Hours:
September to December 
Wednesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

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