Community Programs

An Evening with Patricia Penton Leimbach
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Historic Brownhelm School
Enjoy an evening of remembrance with first-person reenactment of Brownhelm’s own matriarch, author, farm wife and mother, Pat Leimbach.
Enjoy talks, archival videos and readings of some of Pat’s many newspaper articles, as well as excerpts from her three books.

Ohio Open Doors Open House - Brownhelm School
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Brownhelm School, 1950 N Ridge Road, Vermilion
Description: Explore this old local school house first built in 1889 and utilized until 1988. This 137-year-old structure has been lovingly preserved by an ardent group of local neighbors bent on preserving local historical structures and the local agricultural cultural heritage.

Ohio Open Doors Open House - Brownhelm Station Church
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Brownhelm Station Church, 1355 Claus Road, Vermilion
Description: Open House Tour of the Brownhelm Station Church. Explore this preserved one-room 1870's church. Formerly the areas German Reformed Church. See the simple architecture of this 156-year-old structure and observe the efforts neighbors have taken to preserve the areas historic structures and cultural heritage.

Community Foundation of Lorain County - Connect to a Cause
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Online at: www.peoplewhocare.org/connecttoacause
The Community Foundation of Lorain County annually hosts a 12-hour crowdfunding campaign that generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for participating non-profits. Last year, the BHA participated for the fifth time and raised almost $13,000 from 50 unique donors!
On September 17th, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., funds will be raised that directly impact our organization. Donors will “shop” a grant catalog and choose local non-profits by directly donating to them through the Connect-to-a-Cause website or by mailing in their donations prior to September 17th. Throughout the day, we will have the chance to receive additional dollars based on the amount raised. The more donated toward the BHA, the more our funds will be matched by local sponsors We will be sharing more information in the months to come, but we wanted to get this important date on your radar.
This year your donations will be used to help us install handicap access and a potential 2nd exit door at the Brownhelm Station Church, which will further our mission to restore and preserve this historic building!
Let us reminder you! Fill out this simple pledge form and we’ll contact you the day of the event to remind you to donate: https://bit.ly/C2C2026BHA.

Grandma’s Attic Sale
Date: Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Brownhelm School, 1950 N Ridge Road, Vermilion
The BHA will be holding our fall Grandma's Attic Sale on Friday & Saturday, September 25th & 26th! Come out to see what amazing treasures you'll find! All proceeds benefit the restoration of the Brownhelm School.
**We will start accepting donations on on Thursday, September 3rd and continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm. We will not accept donations after September 17th.
Items we love to accept: vintage items, tools, jewelry, small appliances, musical instruments, kitchen items, glassware., etc.
Items not accepted are: clothing and shoes, bedding, chipped dishware, old electronics, Norman Rockwell type decorator plates, CDs and DVDs, stuffed animals, exercise equipment, golf clubs, etc.