COLUMN: Village News – Summer memories and autumn anticipation

As we look back on the summer of 2026, we are filled with gratitude. Our staff have planned and prepared events, programs, workshops, concerts, and festivals that engage our community in remembering, learning, and celebrating. We have experienced some very hot days, some wetter days, and many gorgeous summer days, but we are always thrilled to greet the thousands of guests who make MHV an important part of their summer plans.

Our guests remind us daily of the reasons for the museum’s existence. Many come from families who are connected to the story of the Mennonites who settled in Manitoba either in the 1870’s or the 1920’s, or they arrived during later migrations to Canada. Reconnecting with their past and providing a context for stories and experiences to be passed on to future generations is one of MHV’s goals. We also welcome many people who are newer to our community. They have chosen southern Manitoba as their home, and they want to learn about their community. MHV assists them in understanding our community practices, our values, and our history. For many people, visiting Mennonite Heritage Village with relatives or friends is an opportunity to reconnect with each other. We are a welcoming, gathering place where great food, a walk through the grounds, and a visit to our galleries or heritage buildings facilitate spending time together and sharing meaningful conversations. We are grateful for these reconnecting moments.

Volunteers are our biggest asset. Not only do we have individuals who value the personal connections made at MHV and the community benefits of a shared gathering place, but there are groups of volunteers who are dedicated to specific aspects of the museum and their contributions help MHV to be a popular tourist attraction and a leader of museums in Manitoba. The Steinbach and Area Garden Club prepare and water our flower beds and tend to our gardens and orchards throughout the growing season, creating a beautiful outdoor environment for all museum guests. The South East Manitoba Draft Horse Association are regular supporters of our education program, our day camp program and our festival events. Their many hours of providing horse-drawn wagon rides for visitors and demonstrating horse-powered pioneer demonstrations, create a lasting memory of animal/human cooperation in daily pioneer life. Antique tractor enthusiasts who are part of the Southeast Implement Collectors group host a Tractor Show at MHV each year and assist us in caring for the antique tractors on display at MHV. The Steam Club ensures that the steam engine is maintained and safe to operate each year, as they prepare to demonstrate threshing, plowing and sawmill operation. Our windmill team, blacksmith team, and printshop team all dedicate their time and expertise to maintaining the equipment in their area and providing valuable demonstrations for school groups and festival goers. Our MHV Auxiliary continues to support programming at the museum by planning extra events and fundraisers, by supporting our events with canteens, and by coordinating the quilters who faithfully interact with guests as they hand-quilt blankets throughout the year. Mennonite Heritage Village is very grateful for the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours given to the museum to enhance the visitor experience throughout the season.

Looking ahead to our fall programs, we continue to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, highlighting our outdoor village, and enjoying the company of friends and relatives at the Livery Barn Restaurant. Our school trip program begins again, with several options available five days a week for all grades. And our craft and story time, Exhibit Explorers, occurs each Thursday at 10 a.m., beginning on Sept. 17.

A fantastic new event has been planned for Sept. 19, Touch-A-Tractor. On display, will be a variety of local company vehicles and equipment, including farm tractors, excavators, fire trucks, and many of the museum’s working antiques. This is a chance to see some amazing machines ‘up close’! We have partnered with Steinbach Community Outreach to make this a joint fundraiser, with admission only $5 per person, or $20 per family, this is an affordable way to entertain every member of the family.

MHV has had an amazing summer, and we are excited to continue to offer engaging programs and activities as we enter the fall season. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Upcoming events

Until Sept. 30 – The museum, the Livery Barn Restaurant, the General Store, and Village Books and Gifts are open 7 days per week.

Open daily til 5 p.m. – Gerhard Ens Gallery new exhibit is open: Mennonite Medicine: Cures and Curiosities – 1800 to 1950.

Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. – Steinbach and Area Garden Club – Newly Discovered Manitoba Native Plants. Dr. Bizecki Robson is a botanist who serves as the curator of botany at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg. Over the last two decades she has travelled throughout Manitoba on foot, by boat, train and all-terrain vehicles in search of previously undiscovered plants and then documented those plants and their characteristics. Her recently released book, Manitoba Flora, will serve as a valuable resource for gardeners in Manitoba for decades to come. Dr. Biezedki Robson will be giving us a bird’s eye view of these newly discovered Manitoba plants and sharing her adventures in finding these plants along streams, railway beds, forests, bogs and meadows. We will also be having a perennial and houseplant exchange, so bring along a plant to exchange for another

Sept. 19 – Touch a Tractor Fundraiser – Touch-a-Tractor is an interactive, family-friendly event for all ages to get up close and personal with the equipment that drives and builds our communities, now and throughout history. Visitors get to sit in the driver’s seat of unique vehicles and equipment, learn about their role in our community, and interact with the people who operate them. You’ll be able to watch unique demonstrations and explore the museum, all on one great Saturday. And best of all, all proceeds go to support the mission of MHV and of Steinbach Community Outreach.