Some museums are a single building, but at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) we have over 30 buildings and monuments. This year with the help of a tour handbook that former MHV Curator Roland Sawatzky put together, I want to take you on a grand tour of several of those buildings. For Mennonites in Canada these buildings are where it all began.
The first one is the Semlin, which can also be written Zemlin since the /s/ consonant in the original Russian has a /z/ sound to it. Semlin literally means ‘to be earthenized’. These Mennonites took ‘putting your roots down’ literally. We all know another Russian word Kremlin which sounds similar to Semlin, but it’s meaning is the opposite. Kremlin means ‘to be capitalized’ or ‘a fortified city’.
Typical Semlin
The humble Semlin, is a semi-subterranean sod-hut, built as a temporary measure by the early prairie settlers in preparation for the oncoming winter. It was a dwelling form used by Mennonite pioneers in Russia and Prussia before that.
In Manitoba, the Semlin was more common on the West Reserve than the East Reserve, since timber was not as easily accessible there. It was constructed by digging a pit approximately two feet deep and stacking grass sods around the outer edge to a height of about three feet above ground level. The standard size was about 15 X 35 feet, with a space of about 15 square feet reserved for livestock. A peaked roof of poplar logs or split oak was then laid and plastered with clay or mud and covered with a layer of overlapping sods. Inside walls were either filled with clay or finished with boards; the floor was also either earthen or of wooden planks. Windows, if there were any, were brought from Winnipeg or the nearest trading center by oxcart.
Prone to Flooding
Semlins were prone to flooding in spring, but if we were living in one this spring I think we would have no issues. Semlins are also not suitable for hosting company, so 2021 is actually a great year to live a Semlin! Before John C Reimer helped establish the Mennonite Heritage Village in 1964, he had his students in Blumenort build a Semlin with him. Let me know if you ever decide to build a Semlin in your yard. It would be a great project to be a part of.
Some families lived in the sod-hut only until the following spring, when a more permanent dwelling, such as a log house, could be constructed. Others had no choice but to remain in the Semlin for up to six years. The length of inhabitation depended on such factors as, availability of building materials, financial status of the settler, and the season of arrival in Manitoba. Semlins also occasionally served as the first schoolhouse in a settlement. Come visit our Semlin this year and get rooted!
Upcoming Events
- The Mennonite Heritage Village is open (Tuesday to Saturday)! Visit our two galleries, watch the flocks of geese arriving at our pond and find something unique at our Village Books and Gifts.
- Every Thursday, thanks to SafeAtHomeMB.ca look for informative videos on MHV’s YouTube Channel and Facebook. Each week we will have one show for children and one for adults. #safeathome
- April 6, 7:30pm, MHV’s Annual General Meeting. Like last year it will be virtual. The Zoom link is on our website and the AGM report will be on our website next week.
- April 27, 7:30pm, MHV Volunteer Orientation. More information to come. MHV has a variety of opportunities for you!