Mennonite Reflections
Arriving in Manitoba 150 Years Ago
August 2024 - March 2026
This exhibit explored the 1870s migration of Mennonites from Imperial Russia to Manitoba as they sought to preserve their faith…
Experience the depth of Mennonite culture through our permanent and temporary exhibitions. Our two galleries offer a year-round look at the life, faith, art, and resilience of our ancestors – their journeys, traditions, family life, and enduring sense of community.
Cures + Curiosities - 1800-1950
Opened Saturday, May 23, 2026
Explore how Mennonites practiced medical care from 1800 in Imperial Russia to 1950 in Manitoba. In rural colonies in Imperial Russia, they relied on community healers such as midwives and trajcht’moakas (bonesetters), drawing on treatments such as bloodletting and herbal remedies. Illness was understood as both a physical and spiritual trial, guided by prayer and gelassenheit—yieldedness to God’s will.
This exhibit examines responses to early epidemics, medical inspections during immigration, and the emergence of Mennonite practitioners and hospitals in Imperial Russia and Manitoba. It also highlights the experiences of those living with life-altering conditions, revealing a tradition of care rooted in faith, resilience, and mutual support.
This temporary exhibit is included in general museum admission.