Village News

Looking Back and Moving Forward

  • Jenna Klassen, Guest Author
  • Assistant Curator, MHV

As it was announced in a Village News post a few weeks back, I am leaving Mennonite Heritage (MHV) in just a couple weeks, and moving to Calgary for new opportunities. I have sincerely loved my time working at MHV as Assistant Curator. I have always had fond memories of MHV since I was a kid – singing at the Christmas concert and going home with a Tütje filled with nuts, oranges, and candy canes, visiting for numerous field trips, and joining my grandpa as he gave wagon rides during Pioneer Days. In the last two years I have truly enjoyed participating in some of those events as a MHV staff member.

I began working as Assistant Curator during a busy time in my life. I was in the midst of my research for my Master’s thesis when the opportunity to work at MHV arose. Although it added to the busyness and delayed graduation, working at MHV was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. In fact, doing both at once gave me the chance to use my Master’s thesis as the theme of our current temporary exhibit – The Russländer. This exhibit focuses on the experience of the Russian Mennonites who migrated to Canada from the Soviet Union throughout the 1920s. It chronicles their experiences before the Russian Revolution, during the Revolution and subsequent civil unrest, their flight to and settlement in Canada, and how descendants of the Russlӓnder remember their family’s history. Specifically, my research looks at the objects that were brought with the Russlӓnder to Canada, and which have been preserved through their descendants, and how these artefacts tell the story of the Russlӓnder. It has been incredible to see how this work has touched so many visitors.

It is difficult to note all the highlights of my time at MHV, however the majority of them revolve around the people I have come into contact with over the last two years. It has been such a pleasure having conversations with the individuals who have donated artefacts to the museum. I have enjoyed hearing so many stories about the people who once owned these objects and the memories that are held within them. I have been fortunate to have formed strong relationships with some of these donors.

I have also enjoyed meeting and working with some of our volunteers. On festival days, in particular, it is so inspiring to see our interpreters and demonstrators decked out in full costume, sharing their knowledge and skills with the community. And, of course, it was great to learn how to make Schnetje from Tina Dyck, the Schnetje Queen. Finally, it has been an incredible experience working with the staff at MHV. If you ever walk into our staff lounge at coffee break you are sure to hear uproarious laughter. The staff here are a real hoot to work with, are incredibly kind and willing to lend a hand, and I value the friendships that I have made here.

I will miss MHV dearly, but I will always remember the wonderful experiences, the friendships I’ve made, and the opportunity I’ve had to learn more about my history and the history of Mennonites in Manitoba. I look forward to visiting often in the future.