This was the 50th anniversary year of Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV), and so much of our attention was given to things related to celebrating.
Though the MHV collection boasts truly exquisite pieces of porcelain, silver and glassware, today it is a humble ceramic soup plate that has the sweetest story to tell.
Most of us who grew up in a Russian Mennonite home and are now 40 years of age or older are likely familiar with the game of Crokinole.
While our Village and the Livery Barn Restaurant are closed until May 1, life at MHV has not ground to a complete standstill. Our meeting and banquet facilities are still being rented frequently for business meetings, Christmas parties and even a wedding or two.
In a few weeks we will bid a sad farewell to our colleague, Tashia Lapeire. Not only has Tashia blessed our workplace as a fun-loving and caring person, she has also developed the role we gave her with great skill and passion.
Our newly published book, A Collected History: Mennonite Heritage Village, has not only arrived on the shelves of Village Books and Gifts, it has also been officially launched in two locations.
About two years ago Roland Sawatzky, then our Senior Curator, suggested that MHV consider producing and publishing a book as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.
Mennonite Heritage Village has carried debt during a number of periods in its history, including the present. At times the debt has been the result of facility expansion projects, and at other times it has been the result of operating deficits.
It’s not very often that one has the opportunity to celebrate the 225th anniversary of anything.
The artifacts in the MHV collection tell stories of Mennonites who served in combatant and non-combatant roles and of lives thrown into chaos during times of war and conflict, as Mennonites faced extreme situations and difficult choices.
