Village News

Contrary to possible assumptions, a museum is an exciting and meaningful place to work. There are numerous reasons why one might choose to become involved in the work of Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV).

MHV is a place that tells stories, often to children. It’s a place to enjoy the outdoors and the animals in the barnyard. MHV has many interesting old buildings, complete with old furnishings and appliances. Our windmill is a unique feature that is not usually found in other communities. It’s simply a fun place to spend time.

MHV provides meaningful and significant services to the community. As a well-known tourist attraction, it annually brings thousands of tourists to our city from more than 50 countries. As a community gathering place, it provides space for company picnics, family gatherings, weddings, business meetings and conferences. Our Livery Barn Restaurant offers a delightful setting to enjoy Saturday Brunch or Sunday Buffet with family and friends. Our festivals are events which bring people together to celebrate and nurture community.

MHV offers unique out-of-classroom learning experiences to many schools in the province. Collaboration with other organizations like the Steinbach Arts Council, the Steinbach and Area Garden Club, and Eden Foundation also create valuable synergies.

In order to make all of the above things happen, we need staff, both paid and volunteer. Now is the time of year when we review our needs and begin recruitment. There are many attractive opportunities available for your consideration.

Our Livery Barn Restaurant will need a leader as well as support staff. This restaurant operates seven days a week from May 1 to September 30, offering a number of salaried positions. Our short-order booth operates on festival days and requires a significant crew of volunteers to prepare and serve burgers, fries, pop, ice cream and other treats. We will again need numerous people to help with various projects in the areas of yard care and facilities maintenance. Our riding mowers actually make cutting grass quite enjoyable.

Our Education Program will become particularly active in April. We will hire some university students to administer the program and will also invite many volunteers to assist with delivery of the program to school children. Throughout the summer, our staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to host many daycare groups and be involved in our Pioneer Day Camp program.

Involvement in the work at MHV offers numerous benefits to both paid and volunteer staff. Perhaps the most significant benefit is experiencing the fulfilment that comes with service to one’s community. It is rewarding to be part of an initiative that creates community health and helps make this community a great place to live and work and raise a family.

Additionally, registered volunteers are given a season pass to the museum and don’t need to pay admission to attend. Both paid and volunteer staff can buy meals at the LBR at a 50% discount when they are working.

Let us know where you would like to get involved at MHV this summer. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have.