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EnglishWhat Is Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach?
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Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) is a living history museum in Steinbach, Manitoba, that presents the story of the Russian Mennonites who settled in Southern Manitoba. A visit combines a walk-through heritage village, indoor galleries of artefacts and seasonal exhibits, a gift shop, and community events. It suits travellers exploring the region, school groups booking field trips, and local residents interested in the area's history.
What You'll Find There
The museum describes itself as "A Living Village A Lasting Story," inviting visitors to "step into the early days of Southern Manitoba and discover the legacy of the Russian Mennonites who helped shape it."
The experience has two complementary parts:
- The Village — a walkthrough of heritage buildings that recreates the setting of early Mennonite pioneer life on the prairies.
- Exhibits & Galleries — indoor displays built around a curated collection of artefacts, including rare tools, textiles, and other objects that trace the Mennonite experience across generations.
A Sample of the Collection
The artefact collection is presented as individual stories rather than anonymous objects. Two examples from the site:
| Artefact | Type | Story |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 McLaughlin Buick Special | Vehicle | Purchased new by Peter P. and Maria Thiessen in Altona; used for church, family visits, driving lessons, and hauling pigs to market. Restored by grandsons Don and Elmer, and donated to MHV by Elmer in summer 2026. |
| Gilbert Admiral Calendar Clock | Furniture | Originally hung in a Canadian Pacific Railway station in Saskatchewan; rescued, repaired, and passed down by clockmaker William Meisner before reaching MHV via his family in 2026. |
A third item, Jakob Hoeppner's wallet, dates to 1790 and connects to Prussian Mennonite history. The full gallery is browsable on the website under "Our Artefacts."
Who It's For
- Individual visitors and tourists — self-guided tours of the village plus indoor exhibits, useful on days when weather keeps you inside.
- School groups — the museum actively invites classes to book field trips, positioning the village as an outdoor learning environment.
- Local community — upcoming events and the Village Books & Gifts shop, which the site notes stays open all winter, give residents reasons to visit beyond the main touring season.
Planning Your Visit
Start with the Pricing & Seasonal Hours page on mhv.ca before you go — hours change with the season, and the village and indoor spaces may follow different schedules. From there:
- Decide between a village walkthrough, the indoor galleries, or both.
- Check the Upcoming Events section for programming during your dates.
- School groups should book a field trip in advance rather than arriving unannounced.
- If you want to stay in touch, the site offers a newsletter sign-up.
The gift shop is a practical stop regardless of season: it carries local items and "Village Ware," and remains open through the winter months.
What It Is Not
MHV is a heritage and cultural history museum, not a genealogy service or archive. Its focus is public interpretation — buildings, exhibits, and events — so visitors researching family records should treat the artefact stories as starting points and look to dedicated archives for formal research.