Artefacts

The Chortitz Housebarn was constructed in 1892 in the village of Chortitz, southwest of Winkler, Manitoba. It was built by Jacob Teichroeb, who immigrated from Russia in 1876, for his wife and seven children. Jacob sold the home in 1903 and eventually moved to Mexico.

Housebarns like this were common in Mennonite settlements because they were less expensive to build than two separate structures, conserved the heat better, and made choring more convenient.

The building was moved to Mennonite Heritage Village in 1967. It had to be separated into two parts prior to transport, and steps were taken upon arrival to ensure preservation and historical authenticity.

Notebook with Fraktur art made by Peter Sawadski between 1834 and 1846.

Written by Gerhard B. Doerksen (1825-1882) in Imperial Russia in 1870 at the age of 45 years. In 1875, they moved to Canada and settled in the Hochstadt area, south of current Kleefeld.

5 Kopek solid copper coin minted by Catherine the Great (II). The reverse has the double-headed eagle of the Romanov family, minted in Annensk. This one coin could buy a cow.

1 Kopek coin minted by Nicholas II. It was brought to Manitoba by Mennonite settlers.

Steam tractors transformed the nature of farming for Mennonites. This steamer was originally used in Lac Seul, Ontario to drive a sawmill for a nearby dam, then was abandoned in 1935.

A model of the river boat International, which carried Mennonites on the final legs of the journey to Manitoba. Peter A. Plett made this model between 1985-1989.

Crokinole was one of the many family games that Mennonites played. Interestingly, they tended not to play cards. Crokinole was invented in 1876 in a small Mennonite community in Ontario.

This is an oil painting of a Mennonite farm scene near Niverville (East Reserve). The steam engine changed the nature of farming in Manitoba, and Mennonites were early adopters.

This chair was made using a design popular when the Mennonites lived in Prussia (now Poland). David Falk built this chair using local wood in Manitoba.

A homemade alarm used in case of an emergency. It was made by Henry Neufeld for his grandson.