Village News

It has been four months that we have been without a Development Coordinator at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV). Needing to reduce expenses because of COVID-19, there was no rush to hire a new one.

Early in 1972 Mennonite Central Committee made the decision to reduce its overseas shipments of used clothing and household goods and women at home took action.

At the start of the 20th century Agnes Fast felt it was time for a change. She didn’t want to be a farmer. She wanted to be a certified nurse and serve her community with a modern skillset that could only come by going to post-secondary school.

Mennonite Heritage Village is often the first stop for visitors coming from the east. Sometimes they make their plans in advance, sometimes they see our billboard on Highway 1 and decide to make a detour.

Recently I’ve been writing about how mass movements change the world. This includes the Protestant Reformation, Black Lives Matter, and the on-going Heritage movement that is keeping history alive so we can all learn from it.

Last Thursday I had the privilege of representing Mennonite Heritage Village at the launch of “Mennonite Village Photography: Views from Manitoba 1890 – 1940” published by the Mennonite Historical Arts Committee.

Last week I wrote about how it is movements of people that make history and how there is a heritage movement that you support when you visit or volunteer at your local museum like the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV).

These days society’s accepted views on historical figures go viral and change so quickly. For me, it confirms our need for a more communal understanding of history.

Have you ever tried to learn a new game with many rules? Eventually you just have to tell the enthusiastic gamer, “let’s just play the game and I’ll catch on.” That’s the value of a demonstration.

I’m sure you have heard of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Either by shopping at their local thrift store or donating gently used items.