MHV has big plans in balanced budget for 60th year

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This article was published 05/04/2024 (494 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) hopes to keep its books balanced while celebrating its 60th year and the 150th anniversary of Mennonites arriving in Manitoba after a $281,000 deficit last year.

Executive director Gary Dyck said at the MHV annual general meeting Tuesday that last year was the first without COVID restrictions since 2020, and that a re-calibration was necessary to make sure the budget is balanced for 2024.

He said a higher minimum wage and inflation were drivers of last year’s deficit. More efficient use of resources aims to avoid spending more than it takes in this year.

“We want to do a campaign, so a little increase in donations work that way for income. And then we’re cutting some expenses at the same time for 2024,” said Dyck.

“Just trimming events back a little that we put on, or what we do at events. It won’t be too noticeable, I don’t think. And then be a little more efficient with our staffing.”

Efficiency will not stop the celebration of history and how far the community has come. After the current photography exhibit, there will be a new exhibit on the 150th anniversary of the Mennonite arrival. The spring gala fundraiser May 24 will celebrate the museum’s 60 years.

There is also a plan to premiere a new film during Pioneer Days on August long weekend.

“About the Mennonite saga coming to Manitoba in 1874,” said Dyck.

“And then with a trek by oxcart coming to the museum. There will be more information coming on the re-enactment.”

They hope to have more details by early May on the Pioneer Days plans.

The MHV capital budget has $462,000 dedicated to revamping the Village Centre gallery hall.

“For the anniversary years, for the next three years we want to do a capital campaign. The highlight project will be a gallery rebuild. That’s part of the Village Centre,” said Dyck during the AGM.

“Our gallery’s 34 years old. Standard gallery lifespan, what they say is 15 years is good, so we’ve more than doubled that.”

He added that along with fundraising, they will apply for a federal anniversary grant.

The MHV is a busy place, as program manager Robert Goertzen’s 2023 report showed.

The education program saw nearly 2,600 participants from May to September in the school visitation department, and 87 day camp participants. The Winter Carnival in February had 1,270 visits. Manitoba Day, May 13, had 614 guests. The Heritage Classic Car Show in July had 1,400 visitors check out 226 vintage cars. And the biggest day of the year was Canada Day, with 4,200 visitors.

There were 3,200 documented volunteer hours, but Goertzen figured that number doubles when undocumented are included.

Those volunteers also put on Fall on the Farm, Indigenous programming, Tractor Trek fundraiser, the waffle booth at Summer in the City, tractor show, Peace Trek cyclathon, tours, the Christmas market, maintaining a community garden, and hosting the Russlander 100 tour group.

A story with perspective

The connection to the past gives perspective for the present, as Dyck highlighted through his family story that he shared at the AGM.

Dyck’s father is approaching 94 while in Steinbach hospital.

“The first thing he said to us as a family – as a clan – was get your life in order while you’re young, pay attention to your elders,” said Dyck.

Dyck’s father has been sharing stories of the family’s history the last week.

“We came in 1874. On the way, the baby died, of my great-grandparents. And they had to find a box to put her in and let the ocean receive her. The ocean was there between their old home and their new home, and that became their baby’s resting place.

“Still on the ship, he says, their next daughter gets sick. ‘Do not put me in the water,’ she demanded. She had seen her little baby sister being put in the water.

“They wait quietly. She gets sick, and when they reach Halifax they bury her in the sand.”

The family then reached Fort Dufferin by Emerson in Manitoba.

“In July of 1875, the barracks that are supposed to fit 300 people were filled to the brim with 1,000 Mennonites. There again, children were dying. Every day almost, there was a funeral.”

Dyck said he did not know this story until now.

“It’s tragic how much we can forget,” he said.

“How dare I forget. It’s a challenge for me. To cast aside the lessons that my ancestors have learned along the way; to not appreciate what they have sacrificed for the goodness that I now enjoy.

“MHV yes is a costly venture. It takes us a lot of time, a lot of effort. But it is something that is worth it. MHV is the premier museum telling the Mennonite story,” said Dyck.

He added that in a time when society seems so divided, an historical perspective can remind everyone of the important things we have in common.

The AGM also added four new board members: James Loewen, Karen Thiessen, Sid Reimer and Willie Peters. President Doris Penner, Roland Sawatzky, Hans Werner and Kyle Friesen’s terms expired. Carlin Thiessen resigned.