The Friends of Joseph Schneider Haus are an independent group of heritage-minded volunteers that supports and raises funds for museum projects and programs. Special projects include the museum and research wing of the Haus (1987/88), the Folk Artist-in-Residence (FAIR) program; the annual Quilt Block Contest; and the Edna Staebler Research Fellowship.
Two major areas of interest are acquisitions for the permanent collections and publications. In 1995, the Friends were instrumental in securing The Spirit of the West Collection, consisting of Western Mennonite and Doukhobor furniture and decorative arts, which have been declared a national treasure by the federal government.
Publications include Made in Berlin; From Pennsylvania to Waterloo; a reprint edition of Edna Staebler's Sauerkraut and Enterprise; a cassette tape, Singing In A Strange Land by 1993 Folk Artist-in-Residence Ian Bell, and The Tramp Room by Nancy-Lou Patterson, co-published with Wilfrid Laurier University Press in 1998, and This Old Haus: A Place in Time by Susan M. Burke.
The work of the Friends is financed through the museum gift shop and other fund-raising initiatives.
The Friends of Joseph Schneider Haus welcome new members. They recruit annually for working committees and are sure to have a place for anyone's special talents. For more information please email Schneider Haus National Historic Site.
Thank you to our supporters
A sincere thank you to the following supporters of the Friends of Joseph Schneider Haus. You help to make Schneider Haus National Historic Site a great resource for the community.
- The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation
- Landmann Family Fund