Trailblazers highlight MHV year

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This article was published 29/03/2016 (2949 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Traditional Mennonite women who broke the mold are the central focus of the Mennonite Heritage Village’s incoming season.

This year’s theme, tied to the Steinbach museum’s upcoming exhibit, is fittingly titled, ‘Beyond Tradition: The Lives of Mennonite Women.’ It will be the overarching motif binding the museum’s programming, explained Barry Dyck.

“We often hear of the traditional role of Mennonite women, especially 100 years ago,” said MHV’s executive director. “This will explore the less than traditional roles of Mennonite women 100 years ago.”

A formal evening will launch the theme in June, which Dyck said is meant to capitalize on the goodwill of events this year that are marking the 100th anniversary of most women receiving the right to vote.

The museum typically launches its festival season with Spring on the Farm, a one-day event the holiday Monday of May long. That tradition, however, is being reconfigured. Gone is the singular date and in its stead are a series of activities over several days.

Dyck teased a few activities will mark Manitoba’s 146th birthday on May 12, some field demonstrations are set for a Saturday later in the month and kids will likely be invited to plant the vegetable garden on some date.

Corresponding with the Tractor Trek, where vintage tractors stroll the countryside, the local tractor club plans to stage a tractor show the same weekend. The Tractor Trek will be on Saturday, June 11 and Southeast Implement Collectors will display their prized machines the next day on the museum grounds.

The impetus to try something new was spurred by the weather, said Dyck.

Last year’s event was rained out and nearly the same fate befell the event in 2013. Spring on the Farm in 2014 saw maybe half its normal attendance because of inclement weather.

“We got tired of fighting with the weather every Victoria Day and that caused us to rethink how we do Spring on the Farm,” said Dyck.

Other major events like Pioneer Days and Fall on the Farm are on tap for 2016.

Ongoing for the museum is its $3 million fundraising effort to revitalize current facilities and construct a three-season, open building pavilion to replace the existing tent housing MHV’s education program, corporate and family meetings and picnics.

Dyck said they have surpassed the $1 million fundraising mark and are busy penning grant applications and planning promotional materials.

“We are just delighted when people express interest in this campaign, when they send us a cheque or when they want to know more about what we’re doing,” he said.

Foundations for a Strong Future, which publically launched last September, incorporates various renovation projects into its campaign. The Waldheim House, the museum’s oldest building, will have its log structure and thatched roof restored. The museum’s entrance building, which contains its gallery, will have new climate control equipment needed to maintain appropriate climatic conditions for artifact preservation.

This year will see renovation work to the windmill in what Dyck believes is likely the largest renovation effort the structure has received since it was rebuilt in 2001 following an arson (there was a repainting a few years ago).

Some of the louvers on the windmill sails, which catch the wind to help the fans rotate, need to be replaced and some conservation work is planned to preserve some of the timbers under the deck.

A millwright from Holland will visit the museum in April to inspect the windmill and make repair recommendations.

The outdoor village and Livery Barn Restaurant open for the season in May.