I had no idea of the scope of the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach. When we pulled up in front I still didn’t realize what was waiting to explore within and beyond the museum building. For this post I’ll just share the Center and the Museum with our signing photos and in another post I’ll share the Village and the Barn Restaurant where we enjoyed some heritage food.
The Village Centre contains the main exhibit telling the Mennonite story from the 1500s to the present.
The whole time we were in the center signing books there was a steady stream of elementary students arriving in school buses to have a tour of the center and village.
The Museum gift shop had a great collection of Mennonite books and they had our cover aprons from our first cookbook for sale in different fabric patterns.
A walk through the museum took you on a time line of the migration of the Mennonite People over the years. There were many great photos and items from Russia in the museum.
Even though I am not Mennonite these photos could have been a photo of my relatives from Russia. They look so similar to the few photos we have from our ancestors in Russia.
Kathy’s cousins came to the center and it was fun to take this photo with Kathy holding her cousin’s Draft Horse Calendar that is sold in the Heritage gift shop.
How cute are these little girls with their braids? We asked permission to take their photo.
It was fun to meet Jeanine from The Baking Beauties who is actually only one baking beauty right now. She has a great Gluten Free Baking sight and you can click over to check it out. She’s in the middle in the back row.
When we were done with our signing slot we headed out the back doors of the center and I was pleasantly surprised with the sites I saw. I will share more in my next post.
We are busy now working on options for easily storing some of our larger pieces of furniture while we have all of our floors replaced. We are having it done in two stages and will be moving things in and out for the hardwood floors first and then following up with the carpeting. We are still trying to choose the color and pile we want on the carpeting. Everything you do opens up the door to more things that need to be done. Any big projects at your house?
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
There is a lot of history for me personally there in Steinbach and the museum. Those little girls were delighted to have the backs of their cute new dresses and fresh braids captured. I’m glad you got that photo of my cousins and I. Jan’s calendar holds amazing photos of life on their farm. Wishing it had been smaller so I could have bought one to tuck into my suitcase. And finally meeting Jeanine was a treat.
I loved the Mennonite Heritage place. Filled with so much history. Some I’ve seen and observed from my grandparents and some of it was new. I purchased a few new books which I hope to read about women leaving Europe and the challenges that occurred.
So glad you covered this portion of the book promotion. Seeing heritage photos and realia is so interesting. It is fascinating to consider what a tiny group of people the Mennonites were and how their people have stayed connected through migrations.
I visited the Mennonite Heritage Center in the mid-90s and found it a fascinating place. My grandmother was born in Steinbach. I loved reading about the history of the Mennonites (my heritage) and also seeing how they lived. Loved the summer kitchen/winter kitchen idea – not too far from our barbecuing on the patio in modern times. Looking forward to more about your visit there.
There was so much to see and take in…and not enough time. I think I might need to go again! What a great way to preserve the history of the Mennonite people.
These stories are so interesting. Our heritage and history is something that I am more and more interested in as I get older. My Swiss Mennonite history differs a bit, as my ancestors came from the Alsace-Lorraine area directly to SW Ontario in the mid 1800’s. It’s something I really want to explore further and even travel to that area someday (on my wish list to do). Thanks for this report Ellen – you always include so much detail and fact – so interesting!
Thanks for telling me about this Canadian point of interest. 😉 Sure looks impressive. Glad you’d a great time. You and your group look fantastic… and very professional.
It was so fun to have you girls come visit my city. I always enjoy going back to the museum..still learning new things about my heritage!
Fun to see it through “new eyes!” So glad you could go!
What a neat museum. I thought that clock book on the shelf next to yours look neat!
Now that Dad’s big deadline is past, it’s now time for Mom to hunker down to get through the next few weeks – that’s our big project at home. 😉
I would love to visit that museum. It is interesting to me that some of the emigrants went to Paraquay, some to Pennsylvania and some to Manitoba. I am sure that there are reasons but it seems so random. Paraquay? (I think that was Anneliese’s family.)
Who would have guessed 3 or 4 years ago how you life would change because of this book. Aren’t you amazed?
As for projects–Normally I babysit 4 days/week for 3 grandkids but this week one momma is out of town with baby and another momma who is a teacher is out of school now. So I have this one week free to GET THINGS DONE! My husband took 3 days off starting tomorrow so we are going to clean the basement and, if we survive that, get things done in the yard. My to do list is a mile long and not very realistic. I am going to have to pray for daily direction and motivation.
Looking forward to the rest of your story…
Ellen, great recap of our signing at the Museum. I can’t wait to see the photos of the floor redo! Been there…done that. We slept in whatever room had enough space to lay down in.
How cool that they were selling aprons in the same pattern from your first cookbook! Very cool.
So nice of you to take us along with you on tour 😉 It’s so interesting all places and people you’re seeing.