THE VILLAGE

VoiceVOLUME 8 NO. 2 • OCTOBER 2020

KICKSTARTING PEACE #MUSEUMATHOME Agreement #40033605Agreement www.mhv.ca MAY 2013 1 PUBLISHED BY Mennonite Heritage Village (Canada) Inc. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Gary Dyck EDITOR KEYWORD: INNOVATION 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** $30.00 (Season-long admission) #MUSEUMATHOME Annual Family Membership** $50.00 Season-long admission) BY ANDREA KLASSEN, SENIOR CURATOR 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 . 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 stooped down to pet Gertrude, a large Village Centre most days, the Brandon, MB 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. , 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 New Iceland Heritage Museum thread that I saw woven through some attention, basking in the Gimli, MB some of these responses to our sunshine of the open barn door. collective experience of being in The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre Later, when I got back to my desk, a pandemic lockdown was that Morden, MB 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 with encouraging, hand-written like barn cats, at that moment. messages appeared in home Telephone 204.326.9661 A few days earlier, on March 19, as windows and posted on school Email [email protected] 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

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2 The Village Voice www.mhv.ca AUXILIARY NEWS BY EVELYN FRIESEN, AUXILIARY MEMBER (OCTOBER 2020)

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 BY ANDREA KLASSEN, SENIOR CURATOR

...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 BY KARA SUDERMAN, CURATORIAL ASSISTANT

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, had become influential Mennonite men, including the Warkentin’s son, 1908, there were thirty-eight brick factories in the 1 in Russia and were adept at dealing with the took part in alternative service. The Bolsheviks took Chortitza and Molotschna Colonies. 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 The Warkentin’s children started leaving for Canada in Ukraine in 1994. On his day off, he a form of alternate service in lieu went to look for his grandparents’ in 1924, but Dietrich did not want to leave the estate of service directly in the military. he had worked so hard to build. Eventually, in 1926, former estate. When he eventually Subsequently, beginning in 1880 and found the village where they had lived, he and Maria decided to leave. Before they left, they lasting until 1917, many Mennonite hired a photographer to take pictures of their estate so many people there were familiar with young men were able to fulfill his grandparents and directed him they could take their home with them. They packed their military service requirement the glass negatives into their luggage. When they to where their house had been. One by working in forestry camps.2 man mentioned that he had some of arrived in Manitoba, they had few belongings besides Dietrich was one of these men. After their cherished Mennonite wall clock and Bible. The the bricks the estate owner, Dietrich completing his four-year term in Warkentin, had made. The bricks, each negatives of the estate had broken during the trip, the forestry service, he became the leaving them with only their memories. containing the initials “D W,” had come, 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 BY JO-ANN FRIESEN, GIFT SHOP, RECEPTION & OFFICE MANAGER

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 [email protected] today.

ADMISSIONS / VILLAGE BOOKS & GIFTS BY JO-ANN FRIESEN GIFT SHOP, RECEPTION & OFFICE MANAGER

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 BY ABBY TOEWS, PROGRAM ASSISTANT

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 BY PATRICK FRIESEN, DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

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 BY BETH PETERS, ASSISTANT EDUCATION COORDINATOR

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 BY RAELYN DICK, PROGRAM MANAGER

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 - [email protected]

PROUD PRINTERS OF THE MHV NEWSLETTER

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8 The Village Voice www.mhv.ca