Village News

Our Waldheim House restoration project is nearing completion! As mentioned in previous posts, the logs, ceiling, roof structure, and interior of the house were restored over the winter by local contractor Walls that Speak. The thatching component of the project was completed this weekend.

This leaves the Waldheim House, built in 1876, with a roof that will last 50 to 60 years with proper maintenance. The roof is thatched with Phragmites reeds harvested around the Dauphin area. These are naturally water-resistant, and are packed so tightly that they are pest- and rodent-resistant as well. If you didn’t get a chance to see thatching in action, visit our Facebook page Mennonite Heritage Village Museum and take a moment to browse through our Waldheim House Restoration Project album for photos.

We will re-open the house in mid-July, after we have had a chance to clean up the site. Walls that Speak will take care of the exterior, and the Curatorial department will work in conjunction with our Custodial team to clean up inside the house. We need to wipe down furniture and put it back where it belongs, hang curtains, make the beds, and put back all of the props and artifacts that make the house look lived-in. With a few exceptions, the interior will look much as it did before the restoration project. However, the work done over the last year will ensure that the Waldheim House stands in good condition for many more years to come.

Keep checking our website, and our social media accounts for the latest news on when the Waldheim House re-opens. If you’re curious about what exactly the restoration entailed, visit our Facebook photo album, Waldheim House Restoration Project, and the latest edition of MHV’s Village Voice (available on our website and at the museum) for more information.

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, Steinbach Credit Union, Thomas Sill Foundation, RM of Hanover, and the private donors who made this project possible.