Village News

After years of dreaming, research, fundraising, and project management, Mennonite Heritage Village has been recognized by the Association of Manitoba Museums with an Award of Excellence for the Waldheim House restoration project.

There are treasures to be found among possessions and antiques we inherit. Although many items owned by my parents (Annie and Almon Reimer) went to the local MCC Thrift Store, the things built by my dad and the antiques were shared among us.

If we had a dollar for every time someone has asked a Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) staff person, “So what are you doing now that the museum is closed?” we would have accumulated a significant donation by now.

On January 18, 1884, Jakob Wall was granted 160 acres of farm land by the Canadian government. Ten years earlier the first Mennonites in Manitoba had begun to establish homes and farms on land given to them by the Canadian government.

Every now and then I am asked, “Where does your revenue come from?” It’s always good to know that people are interested. In Finances – Part II, I explained that 60% comes from our internal businesses, 15% by way of government grants, and 25% from fundraising activities and donations.

Going through my father Almon Reimer’s papers after he passed away on December 24, 2017, I came upon many diaries, accounting books, and old papers of interest.

Last Wednesday I walked into the Gerhard Ens Gallery to check out the latest additions left by visitors at our interactive postcard table in The Art of Mennonite Clocks exhibit.

We all know how much people enjoy reading, talking and thinking about finances. So I thought we would offer a “Part II” (and maybe even a “Part III”?) to the article we published several weeks ago and make a series out of it.

As families fulfill their summer travel plans, I am always excited to see that many have included the Mennonite Heritage Village as one of their primary stops.

Aside from my father’s letters, diaries and photographs, I found other interesting writings. In an obscure envelope I found the short biography of my great-grandfather, John R. Reimer, father to Maria (Mrs. John C. Reimer).