EcoHouse Home
EcoHouse is an environmental education demonstration building operated by Green Venture in Hamilton, Ontario.
About EcoHouse
Experience Greener Living!
In addition to being Green Venture's home office, EcoHouse serves to demonstrate environmental technologies from the past, present and future.
EcoHouse shows citizens that it is possible to live in a sustainable manner, in harmony with our environment.
Visitors are able to view and use environmentally friendly products, and discover where they can be purchased.
EcoHouse Mission Statement
EcoHouse is a place where healthy living principles are upheld and demonstrated to encourage, inspire, and support people in their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment by adopting sustainable living practices and retrofitting their homes.
EcoHouse Spring 2010 Renovations
EcoHouse has recently undergone some renovations in early 2010. In addition to a new roof (courtesy of the City of Hamilton), the building also had new interior painting and a complete revision of our educational posters to more appropriately reflect the environmental programming. New displays include the arrival of the Horizon Smart House (an interactive diorama on energy savings and electrical hazards), installation of a renewable energy generation monitor panel (tracking EcoHouse's power generation from the solar PV and wind turbine), and restoration of the heritage coal fireplace in the art room. EcoHouse also installed a bat house on the rear lawn.
Art Exhibit at EcoHouse:
Botanical Inspirations, by Nancy Winlove-Smith
More about the EcoHouse Art Exhibition Series
EcoHouse Exhibition Series is proud to continue its partnership with the Hamilton Art Bus Tour. For information about the Art Bus contact Barbara Milne at 905-524-0606 or barbaramilne@cogeco.ca.
Touring EcoHouse
Self-guided tours are available during all open hours. There is no charge for a self guided tour of EcoHouse.
Volunteer Interpreter Guided Tours are offered on open Saturdays from 10-4. Tours start on the hour and run for about 45 minutes. There is no charge. Please contact Green Venture to find out how you can become an EcoHouse Interpreter.
If you are bringing a group or seven (7) or more, you must book ahead for an Education Program. Education programs cost $4.00 per visitor.See our Touring EcoHouse pages for more information.
Nut Allergies: EcoHouse is NOT a nut-allergen free building. The building is open to the public regularly, which means persons or surfaces may have had some recent contact with some form of nuts.
2010 EcoHouse Hours of Operation
January 1 to April 4:
Open Monday to Friday - 10 am to 4 pm and
Open Saturday January 30, 2010- 10 am - 4 pm
Open Saturday February 27, 2010- 10am - 4 pm
Open Saturday March 27th, 2010- 10 am to 4 pm
April 5 - October 2:
Open Monday to Saturday - 10 am to 4 pm
EcoHouse is open every Saturday April 1 to October 3, except Easter weekend (Sat April 11, 2009) - 10 am - 4 pm
October 3 - December 31:
Open Monday to Friday - 10 am to 4pm and
Open Saturday October 30, 2010, 2010 - 10 am to 4 pm
Open Saturday November 27, 2010 - 10 am to 4 pm
Closed statutory holidays. Closed Sundays.
Please call ahead, (905-540-8787, ext. 152) as posted hours may vary.
EcoHouse is located in east Hamilton, below the Niagara Escarpment.
Use the above link to get bus route instructions, and directions to EcoHouse.
To view a map showing EcoHouse and the Red Hill Valley click here
Community Garden
See photos of our community garden and find out how you can get involved.
Volunteer
Send us an email and let us know that you would like to volunteer at EcoHouse
Environmental Books
A wide selection of environmental books is now available from Green Venture. Green building, rainwater harvesting, strawbail building, wind power, energy reduction, and many, many more.
Sponsorship
Support EcoHouse or have your products or services demonstrated.
If your company has a product that you would like to demonstrate at the EcoHouse, please call 905-540-8787 ext. 117.
Thanks to our sponsor, 
for their recurring support with exhibits at EcoHouse.
Friends of EcoHouse
Help us reach our fundraising goal and become a Friend of EcoHouse.
History
Discover some of the rich history of the 1851 James Dean house (latterly known as "Glen Manor"), the Veevers Estate, and the Glendale Dairy.
Picture Gallery
View some photos that show what EcoHouse looked like when we moved in in 2003.
Master Landscape Plan
Check out our 2003 outdoor vision for the Veevers Estate.
2009- Cherry Planting with the 21st Hamilton Brownies 
A very special thank you goes out to the 21st Hamilton Brownies for planting eight cherry trees and eight raspberry bushes at Green Venture's EcoHouse. The new fruit bearing plants have brought back the heritage fruit garden on the old Veevers Estate. 11 Brownies, 3 Guiders, 3 parents, 4 EcoHouse volunteers, and 2 EcoHouse staff took part in the planting on May 23, 2009. Cable 14 was also involved, sending a cameraman to interview participants.
EcoHouse staff and volunteers, who maintain the heritage site for the City of Hamilton, prepared the ground for a week prior to the planting, clearing brush, turning earth, and laying out a site plan. Horticultural consultant, Jackpine Nurseries conducted a site tour prior to the event and educated the group on planting technique. The staff and volunteers followed up the initial planting by nurturing the trees through the first month (watering, natural pest protection, fertilizing, etc.). Arborists recently visited the site and trimmed down some of the older trees to give more light to the little cherry trees. Green Venture is happy to report that the plants are adjusting well to their new home and we encourage the 21st Hamilton Brownies to come back any time.
Green Venture sends condolences to the family and friends of the late Sheila Ellis, who orchestrated the cherry tree planting.