Village News

One of our specialties at Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) is knowing how to weather well. Our thirty plus heritage buildings and monuments need constant care. Every year we need to do a couple of major projects just to keep up. In my three years here, we have already replaced three roofs, painted two barns and granary, replaced the windmill deck, fixed a broken water line with a system that is ice-proof, modified our HVAC system several times, installed a new sound system, restored our sawmill, replaced two hot water tanks, upgraded our pond area and more. All winter long we monitor our outdoor buildings, especially as the snow melts. In summer we monitor for pests. We love these wood buildings, some nearing 150 years old, and plan to have them standing tall, long after other buildings in Steinbach have come and gone.

In our nearly 60 years of existence, we have also supported people to age well. Thousands of volunteers have played a major role in making this museum what it is today. To reconnect with others over their heritage gives purpose when their career does not. Working with others in our beautiful grounds is rejuvenating.

In the spring of 2019, former sawyer, Earl Wiens invited some guys from the coffee shop to join him in restoring our sawmill that was originally used by Conscientious Objectors at Riding Mountain national park. It took them a few months, but they got it working well just in time for pioneer days in August. As volunteers they also enjoyed the 50% discount at our Livery Barn Restaurant and so they even kept up their coffee shop tradition at the same time.

The last two winters we have all weathered a lot. As spring arrives, may we find restorative activities that bring our community back to life.