VOLUME 8 NO. 2 OCTOBER 2020 VoiceVoice - KICKSTARTING PEACE #MUSEUMATHOME - Mennonite Heritage Village
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Voice THE VILLAGE
VOLUME 8 NO. 2 • OCTOBER 2020
KICKSTARTING PEACE
#MUSEUMATHOME
Agreement #40033605
www.mhv.ca MAY 2013 1
PUBLISHED BY
Mennonite Heritage Village (Canada) Inc.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
KEYWORD: INNOVATION
Gary Dyck
EDITOR
Patrick Friesen
BY GARY DYCK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CONTRIBUTORS
Gary Dyck
Evelyn Friesen
Jo-Ann Friesen Everywhere you look at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV)
Andrea Klassen there is innovation. The housebarns, the windmill, the blacksmith
Kara Suderman shop, the printery were all great innovations that served their
Abby Toews community well. We still have a lot to learn from the ingeniousness
Beth Peters of our foreparents.
Raelyn Dick
This year our exhibit is celebrating Mennonite Central Committee’s
PRINTED BY (MCC) 100 year anniversary. MCC is one of the most innovative
Derksen Printers groups in the world. They empowered people like George Klassen
DESIGNED BY to make a water pump that could add a second growing season
Chez Koop for subsistence farmers in Bangladesh. They developed the Food
Grains Bank, which mobilized farmers to plant a portion of their
CHARITY NUMBER field for the world’s poor. You can see that pump, see beautiful
10363-393-RR0001
panels and almost touch some artefacts from their history in our
AGREEMENT NUMBER Gehard Ens Gallery.
40033605
With COVID-19 comes more need for innovation and at the MHV
HOURS we have developed a new way to do life in the village. We did
* October - April not host Pioneer Days this year, but every other Saturday we had Gary Dyck
Tuesday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ‘Demonstration Days’. Instead of 1000s of people coming, we had
May - September 100s. Both those that came and the volunteers who interacted with
Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. them said it was a more meaningful season this way. We had to restructure the flow of our stores and
Thursday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. grounds and put hand sanitizer stands beside our heritage blacksmith shop, housebarn and windmill.
* Outdoor buildings are closed Our Pioneer Day camps for kids filled up quickly, even when we added a third week.
WINTER ADMISSION RATES This year I found that those who were on our grounds, enjoyed being in a beautiful setting and
Adults $6.00 cherished the opportunity to be in a safe outdoor village where they know we were taking care of them
and taking care of our Mennonite heritage. Enjoy this issue of Village Voice! I assure you there will be
Seniors (65 & Older) $5.00
more good innovation coming to MHV next year too.
Students (ages 13-22) $5.00
Children (ages 6-12) $3.00
Children FREE
(ages 5 & under)
MEMBERSHIP
Annual Individual Membership**
(Season-long admission)
Annual Family Membership**
Season-long admission)
$30.00
$50.00
#MUSEUMATHOME
B Y A N D R E A K L A S S E N , S E N I O R C U R AT O R
Lifetime $500.00
** Membership entitles you to vote at our annual On March 24, I went out into the dismantling our 2019 exhibit, The
general meeting, and gives you FREE or reduced village to do my normal winter Russländer, and installing this year’s
admission to other Signature Museums in Manitoba. rounds, checking that all was exhibit, MCC 100 Years, all work
well outside with our heritage that required me to be on-site as
Manitoba Signature Museums: buildings. As I stepped into the much as possible. The museum
Animal Barn to feed our cats that was dark and, while there were
live on the grounds year-round, I one or two other staff around our
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
Brandon, MB
stooped down to pet Gertrude, a large Village Centre most days, the
very friendly orange cat who has typical noise and bustle of visitors
Le Musèe De Saint-Boniface Museum been with us for several years. It and colleagues was gone.
Winnipeg, MB was such a routine thing, to feed In the midst of this uncertain
Manitoba Agricultural Museum and water the cats out in the period, however, I started noticing
Austin, MB village, but that day, that small how people were reaching out
Mennonite Heritage Village act of normalcy felt like a gift and to each other in creative, unique,
Steinbach, MB I stopped to snap a few quick and inspiring ways. A common
pictures of Gertrude enjoying thread that I saw woven through
New Iceland Heritage Museum
some attention, basking in the some of these responses to our
Gimli, MB
sunshine of the open barn door. collective experience of being in
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre Later, when I got back to my desk,
Morden, MB
a pandemic lockdown was that
I shared the photos on Mennonite individuals and organizations
Western Canada Aviation Museum Heritage Village’s (MHV) social simply used whatever they had,
Winnipeg, MB media accounts, thinking that our be it resources, talents, or other
community, like me, could also gifts, to make a difference: signs
use something cute and normal,
HOW TO REACH MHV like barn cats, at that moment.
with encouraging, hand-written
messages appeared in home
Telephone 204.326.9661 A few days earlier, on March 19, as windows and posted on school
Email info@mhv.ca COVID-19 hit communities across fences; a cartoonist and children’s
Canada, MHV had closed its doors The post that started MHV’s
author that I follow on Instagram
to the public. Many staff moved #museumathome campaign, Senior offered free colouring pages to her
their work to their home-based Curator Andrea Klassen’s visit with followers; someone dressed up
offices, but I was working on Gertrude the cat on March 24. like the Easter Bunny and paraded
...Continued on page 4
www.mhv.ca • Domestic & Industrial
Water Supply Wells
•
•
Geothermal Drilling
Specialized Pipe Piling
•
•
Hydrofracking
Water Well Servicing
204-326-2485 1-888-794-WELL (9355)
2 The Village Voice www.mhv.ca
AUXILIARY NEWS
B Y E V E LY N F R I E S E N , A U X I L I A R Y M E M B E R ( O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 )
As always, the well-tended gardens in and Senior curator, Andrea Klassen, expertly guided and jams and vegetables from the Village garden.
around the Village have garnered countless us on an interesting tour of the present MCC Our fundraising efforts have been somewhat
compliments throughout the summer season. Exhibit in the Gerard Ens Gallery. The fascinating hampered by the restrictions that COVID-19
The local Garden Club includes a host of exhibit left us with a renewed appreciation for the has recently placed on us. But through it all,
ambitious volunteers—many of which are 100 years of volunteer efforts that tell the story the Village Quilters have kept on stitching—an
Auxiliary members—who work many long hours of peacemaking and providing worldwide relief artful demonstration that is appreciated by many
to keep the grounds looking beautiful. The MHV in times of disaster. To help fund the ongoing visitors to the Centre. At our August Quilt Raffle,
Auxiliary was once again pleased to raise the needs of the curatorial department remains one Leona Carnegie of Linden MB—herself a quilter—
monies for plants and shrubs and tools needed of the Auxiliary’s goals. was thrilled to learn that she had indeed won the
for the year. stunning, navy/white quilt appropriately named
“Counterbalance.”.
UPCOMING!
This is your invitation!!!! Join us for lunch at the
annual Christmas Market in the Village. We will
be providing a light lunch in the Multi-Purpose
Room.
In the meantime, watch for upcoming activities
and news from the Auxiliary on Facebook and the
MHV website.
Elsie Kathler Lunch time at the Waffle Booth! Earl Wiens (right),
and Richard Kihn along with the Sawmill crew
Elsie Kathler is one of many who can regularly are seen savouring their lunch of heart-shaped
be found planting and pruning and watering the waffles smothered in Vanilla Sauce which were
blooms—like the traditional geraniums which served by the Auxiliary one August Saturday.
graced the windows of the Hochfeld House until Also for sale that day, we were able to offer
now. Following a seasonal frost, she is pictured Parsley and Summer Savoury, Sauerkraut, pickles
readying the last of the geraniums for their
winter rest.
www.mhv.ca OCTOBER 2020 3
PUTTING OUR COLLECTIONS TO WORK
B Y A N D R E A K L A S S E N , S E N I O R C U R AT O R
...Continued from page 2
down my neighbourhood’s streets from the open through our exhibits, but during our pandemic to visit places and buildings in the village that were
back of a hatch-back car, tooting the horn the whole closure, even as I worked on preparing the next meaningful; and Friday was all about #inspiration,
way, on Easter Sunday morning. one, there was no guarantee we would be able to which featured an artefact with an inspiring story to
At my desk that day in late March, open exhibits to the public this year. So I pivoted tell.
I began to consider what I had to and made it my aim during our The goal of #museumathome was not only to
offer to a world struggling to cope closure to bring the museum’s maintain a connection to our community of
with an unprecedented situation. stories home to people by joining supporters while we could not welcome them at
I have a unique and privileged the massive #museumathome the museum. My challenge with #museumathome
job in caring for the museum’s social media campaign started by was to use our collection, arguably MHV’s most
collection of 16,500+ artefacts museums around the world to unique resource, to reach out to others and make
and two dozen heritage buildings bring their collections to the public a difference during a challenging time. The stories
and monuments so I decided that during a time when the public was I chose to focus on were often uplifting but I did
what I could offer was the unique unable to come to them. not want to shy away from talking about more
access I have to this collection. I From March 24 to the end of April, difficult topics either. Devoting one day a week
concluded that what MHV could arguably the bleakest stretch of (#worryingwednesday) to tell worrisome stories was
offer our community during the closure when we still did not a way of acknowledging that life is, and always has
the uncertainty and fear of the have a sense of if or when the been, uncertain and that people in the past dealt
pandemic was simple: I could world would be able to re-open, I with fear, anxiety, sickness, and hardship – just like
put our collection to work to tell endeavoured to bring MHV to our we were doing in the middle of the pandemic – as
stories. community every day by creating well. These stories had a way of inviting viewers
Behind each of the objects in a curated virtual “exhibit” of our to take a step back, re-evaluate the circumstances
our collection are stories that collection. Each day of the week we were currently in, realise that we are not unique
tell us something about who we focused on a different theme: in living through difficult times, and hopefully
are as people, where we have Monday was for #itsallinthedetails, draw some inspiration from the fact that life does
come from, what inspired us highlighting fascinating artefact continue, even in the days of COVID-19.
in the past, how we dealt with details easily missed; Tuesday I want to thank all those who followed our
difficulties, and what we hoped was #behindthescenes, where #museumathome campaign this spring and
and dreamed about. My role as a I invited people into the areas especially to those who took the time to send in
curator is to tell these stories and of the museum not open to their comments to our posts. While my goal was
shape them into something that is the public; Wednesday was to reach out and inspire others with our collection,
relevant, interesting, educational, #worryingwednesday, exploring seeing our community’s enthusiasm and love for the
and captivating for people today. how and why people in the museum also inspired and encouraged us staff here
A #behindthescenes peak at our past worried too; Thursday was
Usually this storytelling happens Artefact Storage Room, where much of at the museum to continue our work during the
MHV’s collection is stored. #outinthevillage, an opportunity challenge of uncertainty.
NEW ACQUISITIONS
B Y K A R A S U D E R M A N , C U R AT O R I A L A S S I S TA N T
When we think about Mennonite homes, many of this time, churches became more ornate and more the winter, he made bricks for all the buildings. He
us think about housebarns made from timber, or closely resembled basilicas rather than simple worship inscribed his initials in Cyrillic on each one.
semlins made of sod. However, while in Russia, bricks houses. World War One began in 1914 and many young
were a much more prevalent building material. By By the 1900s, Mennonites had become influential Mennonite men, including the Warkentin’s son,
1908, there were thirty-eight brick factories in the in Russia and were adept at dealing with the took part in alternative service. The Bolsheviks took
Chortitza and Molotschna Colonies.1 Russian government. However, the power in Russia in 1917, leading to much unrest in the
These bricks, added to Mennonite Russification movement changed country. By this time, there were many people upset
Heritage Village’s (MHV) collection things. Major reforms were put in about the large gap between the rich and poor in
this year, were homemade and came place that threated the special status Russia. Much of the land owned by Mennonites was
from a village in Russia. The donor, Mennonites had enjoyed, including taken away, leaving them with a maximum of fifty
Rudy Friesen, collected them while exemption from military service. acres per family.
hosting a Mennonite heritage tour Mennonites were able to negotiate
in Ukraine in 1994. On his day off, he The Warkentin’s children started leaving for Canada
a form of alternate service in lieu in 1924, but Dietrich did not want to leave the estate
went to look for his grandparents’ of service directly in the military.
former estate. When he eventually he had worked so hard to build. Eventually, in 1926,
Subsequently, beginning in 1880 and he and Maria decided to leave. Before they left, they
found the village where they had lived, lasting until 1917, many Mennonite
many people there were familiar with hired a photographer to take pictures of their estate so
young men were able to fulfill they could take their home with them. They packed
his grandparents and directed him their military service requirement
to where their house had been. One the glass negatives into their luggage. When they
by working in forestry camps.2 arrived in Manitoba, they had few belongings besides
man mentioned that he had some of Dietrich was one of these men. After
the bricks the estate owner, Dietrich their cherished Mennonite wall clock and Bible. The
completing his four-year term in negatives of the estate had broken during the trip,
Warkentin, had made. The bricks, each the forestry service, he became the
containing the initials “D W,” had come, leaving them with only their memories.
manager of a wealthy Mennonite
the man explained, from a recently estate. He and Maria married in 1894 According to Friesen, at the time he donated the
demolished building and were set to and rented land from several estate bricks to MHV’s collection, all that is left of the
be reused again. owners. They had twelve children in total. Warkentin’s estate is the summer kitchen. Yet his
Dietrich and Maria (Klassen) Warkentin, the donor’s legacy is evidenced in the multitude of bricks still
In 1909, they purchased a 900-acre parcel of land for being used. There is a large village on the site of the
grandparents, were born in Russia in the 1860s. At themselves and two other families. The Warkentins
this time, Mennonites in Russia experienced a so- estate that is referred to as “Khutor Warkentin” by
owned 450 acres, while the remaining land was the people who live there. They continue to reuse
called “golden age” as many were able to purchase split evenly for the Walls and Penners. The estate
large amounts of land and colonies were able to the bricks Dietrich made,3 demonstrating the impact
was constructed similarly to a traditional Mennonite Mennonites had while in Russia. Although the original
start new settlements. Mennonite estate owners, village and included a schoolyard. This estate was
and factory and mill owners formed the upper class, buildings are gone and the names of the villages have
called Novo-Nadezhdino (New Hope). The first changed, the Mennonite story lives on as the bricks
although they stayed close with the Mennonite things Dietrich built were large sheds and kilns. Over
settlements, often supporting them financially. At are reused again and again.
1
GAMEO, “Industry Among Mennonites in Russia (and Prussia).” https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Industry_Among_Mennonites_in_Russia_(and_Prussia). Site accessed September 29, 2020
2
GAMEO, “Foresteidienst,” https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Forsteidienst. Site accessed September 29, 2020.
3
Rudy P. Friesen, Building on the Past (Raduga Publications, 2004), 620.
4 The Village Voice www.mhv.ca
GENERAL STORE
B Y J O - A N N F R I E S E N , G I F T S H O P, R E C E P T I O N & O F F I C E M A N A G E R
The General Store, located on Main Street in the upon their first years in southern Manitoba. They
Outdoor Village, opened to the public a little later brought few items with them that could be used
this year. Vendors set-up their wares and had a in their homestead operations. In the early years,
plethora of merchandise for sale. Visitors view the General Store was the place to purchase the
the General Store as a highlight of their museum latest invention, medicinal ointment, fabric, horse
visit. Artisans remarked how pleased they were powered equipment and even a tractor.
to interact with guests who shared their own This past season, there were eleven local artisans
“General Store” stories. providing quality handmade items for sale. The
The General Store houses a great collection of variety of goods ready for purchase as well as old
artefacts that reveal the ingenious ways the early fashioned candy, MHV”s own stone milled flour
pioneers were in making their homes sustainable (made onsite in our wind powered Windmill), and
horseshoe nail rings made in
the Blacksmith Shop were a
very popular add-on as visitors
purchase quality memorable
merchandise.
We are now accepting
applications for the 2021
Season in the General Store.
Contact joannf@mhv.ca today.
ADMISSIONS / VILLAGE BOOKS & GIFTS
B Y J O - A N N F R I E S E N G I F T S H O P, R E C E P T I O N & O F F I C E M A N A G E R
With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a very 100 Years”, emphasizes the compassionate work and Manager, I have deeply appreciated the flexibility of staff
different season in at the museum. Manitobans have innovative ideas brought forth by MCC through the & volunteers as we navigate through uncertain times.
taken the opportunity to invest time and money in their years. Our Senior Curator works very hard to bring each The team of knowledgeable, seasoned staff & volunteers
local attractions. As folks headed out to rediscover their story to life in a way not soon forgetten. A must see, the made the retail environment a pleasure to be a part of.
own province this summer, MHV was on the top of their exhibit will be on display until April 1, 2021. We have appreciated the community support, as each
list. The grounds were alive with laughter, the smell of Village Books & Gifts has rearranged its floor plan to purchase in the gift shop helps preserve the Russian
waffles being cooked on an open grill, horse drawn accommodate directional flow and customers have Mennonite Story.
wagon & barrel train rides, and folks sharing family been patient with the new protocols in place. The gift Did you know the gift shop and indoor galleries are open
stories (socially distanced apart of course). shop has an array of merchandise that draws a variety of year-round? Why not pop by today and experience the
Visitors from Winnipeg and a variety of surrounding customers looking for something historical, unique, and difference for yourself. Interested in upcoming Village
communities have been delighted with the efforts MHV a little bit “Steinbach”. We continue to have an excellent Books & Gifts events and in-store deals? Go to our
has put in place to present a safe and inclusive museum selection of books, giftware, and souvenirs. Our very website www.mhv.ca. or check out our Facebook page.
experience. Guests commented on the friendliness of own MHV Auxiliary offer retro aprons, quilt blocks, doilies
staff & volunteers, the excellent safety protocols in place, and quilts for sale.
the cleanliness of the buildings and grounds, as well as Handmade is the name of the game. MHV’s own brand
the open, inviting atmosphere. MHV’s knowledgeable of historically driven gifts and toys are made locally,
reception staff were able to enhance the visitor includes: wood pens, bonnets, magnet kits, quilting kits,
experience with seasoned information about the Russian and peg doll kits continue to be favorites with visitors.
Mennonite story as well as directions to their next Our “Menno Cards” and “Menno Apparel” continue to
provincial destination. be our hottest sellers. We strive to find a balance by
The current exhibit in the Gerhard Ens Gallery “MCC carrying heritage driven merchandise, as well as travel
friendly souvenirs. The mandate of the Gift Shop is to
provide souvenirs and reading material that reflect the
Russian Mennonite story.
As the Gift Shop, Reception, General Store & Office
www.mhv.ca OCTOBER 2020 5
A COW BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE
B Y A B B Y T O E W S , P R O G R A M A S S I S TA N T
The vision of the sheep, chickens, and donkeys not have to miss school to help with harvest or go these animals open the door for conversations
waiting to greet you is always a welcome surprise out on a cold day to feed the animals. While young about what livestock meant to the Mennonites.
for Mennonite Heritage Village visitors of all ages. people may not have these experiences, their The Mennonite Heritage Village farm smells and
Beyond looking cute or acting funny, the MHV farm parents or grandparents may have had to help on sounds bring many visitors back to a simpler
animals are a living, breathing representation of time of life. Older generations may have personal
what life on a Mennonite farm may have looked, experiences of stepping into a warm barn full of
smelled, and sounded like. Our farm includes cattle, cows on a cold winter morning to get milk for the
donkeys, sheep, rabbits, chickens, geese, a team family or helping their parents harvest crops in early
of horses, and a couple of barn cats. Just like the fall. My grandmother’s face always lit up when she
livestock on a Mennonite farm, the animals residing talked about her best friends being the animals
at MHV all have a purpose. Our team of horses on her family farm. The memories of watching a
is used for wagon rides, the chickens produce calf being born or collecting eggs are uncommon
eggs, and the pigs are butchered for meat and experiences for today’s youth, so when stories from
lard. Furthermore, these animals open doors for the older generation are told, it gives a glimpse into
discussions about food production and the day to what life would have been on a family farm.
day life of Mennonite settlers. Animals, no matter the species, breed, or size,
While these animals have the same purpose as have the ability to bring people together no matter
those on Mennonite farms, our reliance on their their age, background, or culture. In addition to
productivity is very low. For early settlers, livestock connecting visitors from diverse backgrounds and
were critical to their survival on the prairies. ages, the livestock that spend the summer at the
Besides the daily chores, farmers also needed Mennonite Heritage Village are an essential part of
to cultivate crops, and build barns to keep their recreating the historical Mennonite experience.
animals producing through the winter. The death All things bright and beautiful,
of the family cow, a fox attack on the chickens, or All creatures great and small,
a poor harvest could greatly decrease the nutrients All things wise and wonderful:
available for a hardworking family. Many families in The Lord God made them all.
today’s world do not have to worry about chickens the family farm growing up.
not producing or a calf dying. If the fridge does not For young visitors of the museum, seeing the - Cecil Frances Alexander
have any eggs in it, it is easy to go to the grocery farm animals is a highlight and, while the baby
store to buy another dozen or more. Children do animals are cute and the chickens are amusing,
KICKSTARTING PEACE
B Y PAT R I C K F R I E S E N , D E V E L O P M E N T C O O R D I N AT O R
My employment began with two fundraising Kickstarter platform is an online funding site which
initiatives already underway. The first one was helps individuals, corporations and non-profit
the Farm to You Fundraiser, an innovative twist organizations raise funds for a variety of projects.
on a traditional fall supper. With capacity to host Using Kickstarter to raise funds is another example
50 people safely in our auditorium, we decided to of innovation at work within the walls of MHV.
expand our reach by offering meal kits delivered Utilizing an online platform opens up engagement
to your door. Those who participated at home with people from around the world who are
were able to join the livestream on the night of the interested in promoting peace.
program.
The Dirk Willems Peace Garden stands as the only
The evening entertainment was provided by Daily commemorative site dedicated to telling the story
Bonnet author Andrew Unger and the program of Dirk Willems and his commitment to living a
wrapped up with a video life of peace. His rescue of a pursuing
thanksgiving message from captor is often held up as a model for
the staff at MHV. the necessary selflessness that the life
The experience required of peace requires.
figuring out logistics in The purpose of this installment is to
packaging and delivering of the provide visitors a space to consider
meal kits, learning the technical what it means to live a peaceful life. As
skills to livestream a program, the Dirk Willems’ story bears witness,
as well as making sure that a life of peace is not passive and free
precautions were set in place of conflict. It means that we place
to help minimize the risk of the value of even those who oppose
COVID-19 transmission. our values and beliefs with the same
While we learned a few good dignity as we do ourselves.
lessons on how to host a Art serves as a catalyst to critical
virtual event, we were excited thinking and contemplation and this
to raise over $15,000 toward project creates a space to remember a
our operating budget. story from the past and consider how FINELY CRAFTED
The second fundraising that might inspire living in the future.
initiative that was in the For more information on this project visit CUSTOM DESIGN
works is the Kickstarter campaign to complete the Kickstarter.com and search for Mennonite in order
construction of the Dirk Willems Peace Garden. The to find the project. MADE JUST FOR YOU
6 The Village Voice www.mhv.ca
DAY-CAMP OFFERS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
B Y B E T H P E T E R S , A S S I S TA N T E D U C AT I O N C O O R D I N AT O R
Our Pioneer Day Camps offer more than just fun one of the best ways to experience pioneer culture to explore the barn and pet the animals as long as
activities for children. The Pioneer Day Camps use a and is one of the ways we provide a good experience they follow safety rules. By the end the of the week
variety of learning experiences to engage kids with for campers. campers have already named the animals and grown
Pioneer Life. These experiences include hands on Another hands-on activity that has been a hit from attached to them.
learning, demonstrations, and exploration. Ultimately this year and previous years is making rings at Finally, ‘hide and go seek’ is a great way for kids
our Day Camps encourage children to take pride in the blacksmith shop. Children are encouraged to to explore the ins and outs of specific heritage
their community and heritage. hammer a nail into a ring (under close supervision) buildings. For children with a lot of energy, ‘hide
Our hands-on learning activities are just one of the and take the ring home with them. Not only is it a and go seek’ is a great way to burn some of it off
ways children can learn about Pioneer life while great souvenir for the kid to have but it also teaches as well as interacting with the village around them.
still having fun. For example, every year campers the child the importance of blacksmithing back in the One parent wrote in week two’s feedback form, “the
have the opportunity to learn how to bake a classic pioneer era. stories they had were fantastic… now they feel a
Something new we did sense of ownership and pride when we bring friends
this year was teaching the to visit [the village]”.
campers how to weave a One of the most unique experiences of the Pioneer
cup coaster using string Day Camps is the interactive demonstrations we
and a plate. This hands- offer at the Mennonite Heritage Village. One of the
on experience was a blast highlights for the kids is getting a demonstration
for the kids because it of grinding flour at the windmill. The campers are
was a creative craft that mesmerized by the moving levers and gears inside
required a lot of focus. the windmill, and Pioneer history comes to life as the
For children who are kids watch the miller grind flour using the grinding
particularly artsy the craft stone. Another fun experience is the demonstration
was a great way to help of our working printing press. Once campers
them experience pioneer learn how the printing press work, they have the
life. Some continued to opportunity to work it themselves. Horse care
weave through lunch and demonstrations are also another excellent way to
snack time! teach kids the importance of animals during pioneer
Exploration of the Village life and ties in well with the wagon rides.
is a huge reason that The Pioneer Day Camps is a great experience for
our Day Camps are a children of all ages because it uses a variety of
good experience for the learning methods to teach kids about pioneer life in
children. The introduction a meaningful and fun way! Kids come out of the day
Mennonite biscuit called Schnetja. From the feedback of the camp always begins with a scavenger hunt camps feeling more connected with the community
we have received from parents the kids loved the across the museum grounds. It is a great way around them and take pride in the things they have
process and the fact that they got to eat it afterwards to teach the kids about Pioneer life in a fun and created and learned.
and take the leftovers home to their parents. Food is engaging way. Additionally, children get free rein
INTERTWINING OUR STORIES
B Y R A E LY N D I C K , P R O G R A M M A N A G E R
Many Mennonites in the Steinbach area can come to Intergenerational learning is one of the most shows the importance of preserving one’s heritage,
the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) and point out effective ways of preserving heritage. This mindset is especially intergenerational learning. Children will
an artifact, building, or even picture that connects woven into all the programming at MHV, especially be the ones to carry on family stories, knowledge,
to their family story. The numerous connections the Education Program, where children learn about and traditions, and the mindset of children being
individuals have with the museum show that the the museum’s history through interpreters of all the future is echoed in many cultures. The stories
tapestry of the museum is composed of many ages. Our Pioneer Day Camps are a great example the Mennonite Heritage Village shares are powerful
threads, each carrying their own unique story. of this, as the campers glean information from many and can connect with many other stories as well,
Although the museum explores the story of early different generations. From making schnetje (biscuits) especially those who have left their home country
Mennonite immigrants, this story can also be truly to watching the windmill at work, children are given behind to start a new life.
meaningful for recent immigrants all around the the opportunity to step into the past through many
world too, regardless of whether they are Mennonite. hands-on activities. In preserving one’s heritage, it
It is important to remember that in Canada, almost is so important to pass along recipes, stories, and
all of us are immigrants whether we are first, second, traditions to the younger generation to keep them
or third (etc.) generation immigrants. The museum alive. MHV’s preservation
acknowledges the hardship of moving to a new of early Mennonite settler
country, celebrates creating a new life and expresses traditions and knowledge
the importance of preserving one’s heritage. through the generations
The experiences of early Mennonites coming to can be inspiring for recent
Canada differed greatly based on many factors such immigrants because it
as wealth, the year they arrived, and the season they shows children playing an
arrived. Children who visit the museum are always active role in preserving
shocked to hear that many early Mennonite settlers their heritage.
lived in a Semlin over one or more winters with their The many ways the
families and animals. However, as you follow the Mennonite Heritage
buildings in chronological order at the museum, the Museum continues
buildings show an increased quality of life as well to offer wisdom and
as a group of people who have created a new life inspiration show that the
for themselves, overcoming adversity and hardship. stories it shares transcend
Like early Mennonite settlers, the experiences of time. MHV acknowledges
recent immigrants coming to Manitoba are all vastly the hardship of moving
different. However, the museum’s story of hope and to a new country and
perseverance continues to be relevant today and can starting a new life, while
serve as a message of hope for those starting a new also sharing stories of
life in Manitoba. joy and hope. It also Sixty-five people become Canadian citizens at a citizenship ceremony held at Mennonite
Heritage Village in December, 2018. [Photo credit: steinbachonline.com]
www.mhv.ca OCTOBER 2020 7
SPONSORSHIPS @ MHV
Thank-you to the many businesses and individuals who support us as we seek
to be the premier interpretive centre for the Russian Mennonite story.
Please support these local businesses who partner with us.
For more information on sponsorship packages contact:
Patrick Friesen - patrickf@mhv.ca
PROUD PRINTERS OF THE MHV NEWSLETTER
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377 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba
Phone:1-204-326-3421 Toll Free Manitoba 1-800-442-0463
8 The Village Voice www.mhv.ca
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