Visit Us and
Experience the Past.

July 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018
Gerhard Ens Gallery
Storied Places will provide a basis for discussion about how everyone – immigrants and their descendants, Mennonites and non-Mennonites – relate to Canada, and what makes it ‘home.’

Curating

cu•ra•tor (kyo orāt r) – a keeper or custodian of a museum collection
Synonym: Guardian

The Curatorial department seeks to preserve and conserve historic artifacts, documents, and buildings that tell the Russian Mennonite Story.

We undergo research and archaeological excavations in order to contribute to the world’s understanding of the Mennonite way of life.

We also regulate the donations given to the MHV so that each unique artifact has a story that is in keeping with the MHV mission statement.

We respond to public inquiries about history, genealogy, donations, and provide scheduled tours on event days and other days upon request.

Our Collection

Spanning more than 16,000 artifacts, the MHV’s wide-ranging collection provides a comprehensive survey of Russian Mennonites from the 16th century to the present day with new acquisitions added regularly. These objects are carefully preserved by our curatorial department in humidity and temperature-controlled storage.

The curatorial department offers a library of books and documents for individuals who wish to deepen their understanding or pursue research. Library resources available upon appointment.

We acquire hundreds of artifacts each year through the generosity of our donors. These objects serve to expand our knowledge and enhance our ability to tell the story of the Russian Mennonites.

Education

Mennonite Heritage Village Education School Program
  • Step out of the classroom and into the Past
  • Engages students using multi-sensory activities
  • Gives students the opportunity to handle artifacts for exploration and discovery
  • Presented by trained interpreters in period costume
  • Ideal setting to immerse students in history of Mennonite culture
  • Restored historical buildings and artifacts telling the Mennonite story from 1800’s to present day
  • Program options:
    • Winter program – Grades K-6, February – April
    • Interpretive spring and summer program, May – September
    • Hands-on program, May – June
    • Day care program, July – August
    • Day Camp program, July – August
    • Structures/Windmill program, October
    • Guided tours, May – September

For More Information:

Call 204-326-9661
Schedule and instructions will be emailed prior to visit.

Download the booking form here.

BOOK NOW

School Teacher
Spring & Summer Program

Program options (for Grades K – 6):

  • Interpretive
  • Hands-on
  • Guided tour
  • Day Camp program

Program runs from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Picnic tables are available to use for lunch break if bringing bag lunches.
The Livery Barn Restaurant is open for lunch. Lunches need to be pre-ordered at least two weeks in advance. Information is available at time of booking.

Interpretive Program:

  • Program offered during May, June and September (Tuesday – Friday)
  • Focus is to tour the outdoor village
  • Group leaders will be given a map and outline of tour
  • Students will go from building to building where they will be welcomed by interpreters in period costume
  • Students have opportunity to experience how life was lived in late 19th century Mennonite villages.

Experiences:

    • Activities will vary for different grades and may include:
  • Visit the semlin (underground house)
  • Watch an interpreter spin wool at the house-barn
  • Sample schnetje (biscuits) and fresh rhubarb jam at the summer kitchen
  • Visit the Old Colony Church
  • Stop at the windmill and observe the miller at work
  • Watch the blacksmith make horse shoes and/or nails
  • Watch the printer at the printery
  • Go on a horse drawn wagon ride (weather permitting)

For More Information:

Call 204-326-9661
Schedule and instructions will be emailed prior to visit.

Download the booking form here.

BOOK NOW

Tractor Ride
Winter Program (for Grades K – 6)

Two separate indoor programs available:

  • Grades K – 3 (“The Mennonites: Then and Now” meets criteria for General Learning Outcomes C, I, D, L, T, and G)
  • Grades 4 – 6 (meets criteria for General Learning Outcomes I, D, L, T, G, and E)

Program is similar to outdoor Hands-on program in summer:

  • Program runs from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Children dress in vests and aprons depicting simple wardrobe of early Mennonites
  • Explore life of Mennonite immigrants from a child’s perspective
  • Activities emphasize the role of a pioneer Mennonite child within family and community
  • Five areas are highlighted in each program: Migration, Home, Work, School, Play

Activities will vary for different grades and may include the following:

  • Listening to a story (illustrated with large pictures) of a pioneer family while snowed inside their semlin (sod house). Weather permitting, story may be told inside the semlin.
  • Packing a trunk with replica items for Mennonite immigrant family moving from Russia to Manitoba in 1864.
  • Writing on a slate with slate pencils in a Mennonite private school setting.
  • Learning to write with quill pen and ink in Mennonite private school setting.
  • Watching spinning wool and/or learning to quilt a comforter.
  • Carding and spinning wool, darning socks, braiding rugs.
  • Making a handkerchief toy (“kodda pup”).
  • Playing traditional Mennonite circle games.
  • Learning to use and handle wood working tools.
  • Learning to do laundry on wash board and mangle.
  • Learning to bake biscuits (schnetje).
  • Optional – wagon or sleigh ride (weather permitting).

For More Information:

Call 204-326-9661
Schedule and instructions will be emailed prior to visit.

Download the booking form here.

BOOK NOW

Sleigh Ride
Hands-on Program (for Grades K – 6)

Two separate indoor programs available:

  • Grades K – 3 (“The Mennonites: Then and Now” meets criteria for General Learning Outcomes C, I, D, L, T, and G)
  • Grades 4 – 6 (meets criteria for General Learning Outcomes I, D, L, T, G, and E)

>Program is similar to indoor winter program:

  • Program runs from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
  • Children dress in vests and aprons depicting simple wardrobe of early Mennonites.
  • Explore life of Mennonite immigrants from a child’s perspective.
  • Activities emphasize the role of a pioneer Mennonite child within family and community.
  • Five areas are highlighted in each program: Migration, Home, Work, School, Play

Activities will vary for different grades and may include the following:

  • Listening to a story (illustrated with large pictures) of a pioneer family while snowed inside their semlin (sod house). Story will be told inside the semlin;
  • Packing a trunk with replica items for Mennonite immigrant family moving from Russia to Manitoba in 1874;
  • Writing on a slate with slate pencils in a Mennonite private school setting.
  • Learning to write with a quill pen and ink in a Mennonite private school setting.
  • Watching spinning wool and/or learning to quilt a comforter.
  • Carding and spinning wool, darning socks, braiding rugs.
  • Making a handkerchief toy (“kodda pup”).
  • Playing traditional Mennonite circle games.
  • Learning to use and handle wood working tools.
  • Learning to do laundry on a wash board and a mangle
  • Learning to bake biscuits (schnetje).
  • Optional – wagon ride (weather permitting).

For More Information:

Call 204-326-9661
Schedule and instructions will be emailed prior to visit.

Download the booking form here.
BOOK NOW

Kids working with Hay

Social Studies Curriculum

Dear Middle Grades Teacher:

The Mennonite Heritage Village offers a Winter Program to students/teachers in the middle grades that enhances the Manitoba Social Studies Curriculum. The Mennonite way of life in the late nineteenth century will be emphasized through hands-on activity & instruction. This program meets general Learning Outcomes I, D, L, T, G, E.

For additional information or to make a reservation, please contact:

Mennonite Heritage Village
Phone 204-326-9661 

Download the booking form here.

BOOK NOW

Kids harness a wooden horse
Structures Program
  • This program is offered during October (Monday – Friday)
  • Program length is 1 hour
  • Curriculum connection Grade 3
  • Focus is to help children understand the strength, stability, and configuration of construction materials used in structures
  • Students will build a triangle in the workshop
  • Students will go to three different locations within the village
    • Windmill
    • Public school for a model station
    • Workshop for a hands-on station

For More Information:

Call 204-326-9661
Schedule and instructions will be emailed prior to visit.

Download the booking form here.

BOOK NOW

Old Washing Machine