Tour the Village

Plan your journey through the Mennonite Heritage Village, where history comes to life across our historic grounds and modern exhibitions. Find everything you need to prepare for your visit, from seasonal hours and directions to our curated tour experiences.

1. The Village Centre
2. The Great Oak Tree of Chortitza
3. Johann Bartsch Memorial
4. The Semlin
5. Monument to Mennonite Women
6. Hochfeld House
7. Orchard
8. Chortitz Housebarn
9. Summer Kitchen & Vegetable Garden
10. Outdoor Oven
11. Waldheim House
12. The Peters Barn
13. Jacob Hoeppner Memorial
14. Old Colony Worship House
15. Reimer Gravestone
16. Farmyard
17. Granary
18. Blumenhof Mennonite School
19. Riding Mountain Sawmill
20. Monument to Conscientious Objectors
21. Steamer Shelter
22. Livery Barn Restaurant
23. Blacksmith Shop
24. Printery
25. Reimer Store
26. General Store
27. Lichtenau Church
28. Short Order Booth
29. Peter Barkman Summer Pavilion
30. Windmill
31. Barkfield Public School
32. Dirk Willems Peace Garden
33. Pond Trail
34. Berlin Wall
35. Transportation Building
36. Agricultural Building
37. Monument to Mennonite Victims of Violence

What To Do

Only have a short time to explore? This path focuses on our most iconic landmarks, all within a short distance of the main entrance.

Marvel at the Windmill

Step inside one of the only working wind-powered mill in North America and see the incredible engineering that powered Mennonite communities.

The Chortitz Housebarn

Walk through a perfectly preserved 19th-century home to see how pioneer families lived, cooked, and slept. This home features an attached barn for animals, a summer kitchen, bread stove, and a large vegetable garden.

New exhibit open - Mennonite Medicine Cures and Curiosities

The Gerhard Ens Gallery

Our temporary exhibit changes yearly and features unique stories from Mennonite history. Our current exhibit is Mennonite Medicine: Cures and Curiosities.

Go Shopping

Grab a bag of traditional peppernuts or a souvenir from the General Store before you head out.

Spend the entire day with us and really get into the details of our Russian Mennonite history. This path highlights a few hidden gems to enhance your experience.

The Berlin Wall

Once an actual piece of the Berlin Wall, this large concrete slab now sits here in Steinbach. Many Mennonite families experienced the separation and repression of freedoms during this time.

Peace Garden

The Peace Garden talks about the Mennonite history of pacifism in a violent world. It's a beautiful setting to sit and enjoy nature as well.

Pond Trail

Take a walk about Blind Creek and over our beautiful iron-wrought bridge. Creeks like the one that runs through our village were common in Mennonite villages.

The Livery Barn

Enjoy some authentic Mennonite food at the best restaurant in town!

Spend the day with your kids at the village and prove that you can, in fact, have fun while learning.

The Farmyard

The most popular stop in our museum (according to kids), the Farmyard is fun for everyone.

The Blacksmith Shop

Always a family favourite, the Blacksmith Shop still functions and, if you're here on an event day, you might even be able to help bend some metal!

Grab some candy!

Old-fashioned candy at The General Store is a classic activity for young and old!

Group Tours

Experience the living history of our museum by booking a Group Tour. You are paired with a trained tour guide who will walk you through the historical buildings and artefacts that comprise our Village. You’ll learn the history of the Mennonite people as you are guided through the places they lived, learned, worked, and worshipped. Discover a lasting story through the sights, sounds, and smells of Mennonite Heritage Village.

Enhance your tour by adding the taste of authentic Mennonite cooking by eating at the Livery Barn Restaurant!

The Plautdietsch Pocket Guide

Watermelon

Rabus

Say it like a Menno: /RAH-boos/

Definition: Watermelon. Must be eaten with Roll Kuchen.

Use it in a sentence: "Let's go to MHV on Canada Day and get Rabus and Roll Kuchen!"

Fried Delicacy

Roll Kuchen

Say it like a Menno: /ROLL-koah-ka/

Definition: Deep-fried pastry eaten with either jam, golden syrup, or milk and sugar. But never all of them; you must choose one and never try another.

Use it in a sentence: "What do you mean we are out of Roll Kuchen?"

Mennonite Game

Knipsbrat

Say it like a Menno: /KNIPS-braht/

Definition: Arguably, the most famous game ever invented by a Mennonite. Arguably, the only game ever invented by a Mennonite. You flick (knipsen) wooden discs on an octagonal board (brat), keeping yours on while riding the board of your opponents.

Use it in a sentence: "Up for a game of Knipsbrat after faspa?"

That Side

Jantsied

Say it like a Menno: /yahnt-SEET/

Definition: That side, or the other side. Used to refer to the Mennonites who live on the other side of the Red River, which means that all Mennonites use this to refer to each other.

Use it in a sentence: "That guys from Jantsied."

This Side

Ditsied

Say it like a Menno: /dit-SEET/

Definition: This side. Used in the context of the Red River and the side that you are currently on.

Use it in a sentence: "I'm from Ditsied."

The Gristle

Gnurpel

Say it like a Menno: /g-NUR-pel/

Definition: Cartilage or gristle, describing something tough and rubbery.

Use it in a sentence: "Got the Gnurpel in my steak."

A Mennonite Drum

Brommtopp

Say it like a Menno: /BRUM-topp/

Definition: A crude and traditional drum with horse hair attached.

Use it in a sentence: "Grab the Brommtopp, let's sing"

Snacking

Schnetjen

Say it like a Menno: /SHNET-yen/

Definition: To snack or graze on tidbits of food between meals.

Use it in a sentence: "I'm saving that Foarma Worscht for supper, not for you to Schnetjen."

Cough cough

Veschlekjen

Say it like a Menno: /fuh-SHLEK-yen/

Definition: When you swallow something the wrong way and temporarily choke on it.

Use it in a sentence: "I was eating my Broot and Veschlekjen myself."

A Messy Person

Schlussbass

Say it like a Menno: /SHLUS-baws/

Definition: A messy eater, or a sloppy person. Often spills their Komst Borscht.

Use it in a sentence: "Clean up your plate, don't be a Schlussbass.'"

For Baseball Games

Knackzoat

Say it like a Menno: /KNAHK-zoat/

Definition: Sunflower seeds, found in most southern Manitoba stores and on the ground at most baseball diamonds.

Use it in a sentence: "Grab the knackzoat for the game."

An Important Question

Kjenn jie noch Plautdietsch

Say it like a Menno: /kyen yee nokh PLOWT-deetsch/

Definition: Do you still speak Low German?

Use it in a sentence: "Kjenn jie noch Plautdietsch?" "Ja, a bit."

The Response

Gutt, enn selfst?

Say it like a Menno: /gut en SELFTST/

Definition: A common response to 'Gooten Dach', responding with 'Good, and yourself?'

Use it in a sentence: "How are you?" "Gutt, enn selfst?"

The Greeting

Gooten Dach

Say it like a Menno: /GOO-ten dahkh/

Definition: Good day or hello.

Use it in a sentence: "'Gooten Dach', how are you?"

Nap time

Meddachschlop

Say it like a Menno: /MED-dahkh-shloap/

Definition: An afternoon nap, most commonly taken by fathers and opas.

Use it in a sentence: "Be quiet, opa's taking a quick 'meddachschlop'".

Farmer Sausage

Foarma Worscht

Say it like a Menno: /FOAR-mah vorsht/

Definition: A wrapped sausage that is usually made from pork, not farmers.

Use it in a sentence: "Can you pass me some of that 'forma worscht' please?"

A Famous Mennonite Delicacy

Schmauntfatt

Say it like a Menno: /SHMOWNT-fat/

Definition: A white cream gravy that is often served on 'vereniki' and 'kielke'. Unless you ask oma, then you can put it on anything.

Use it in a sentence: "Can I get some more 'schmauntfat' on my plate?"

Sunday Supper

Faspa

Say it like a Menno: /FAHS-pah/

Definition: A light meal that is traditionally served in the mid-afternoon. Often consists of buns, jam, pickles, and cheese, and pairs well with a 'Meddachschlop.'

Use it in a sentence: "Are we having 'faspa' after church?"

Village Books & Gifts

Browse our curated shelves for unique local art, traditional cookbooks, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs that celebrate our community’s story. And if you can’t make it in, shop online 24/7.

Visit Our Shop

Shop at The General Store

The General Store, located in The Village, is a fully functional store that is open from May to September. Discover a wide variety of local vendors and artisans, along with old-fashioned candy and treats, while surrounded by history.

Our General Store is a replica building that was based on the H.W. Reimer Store in Steinbach. Learn more about these historic buildings in our Artefact Collection.

Visit The General Store for free; please pay admission if you choose to tour The Village on the way out.

The General Store

Make sure you make a trip to The General Store and try some old-fashioned candy. Then browse through a wide variety of local vendors with hand-made items and trinkets.

The General Store is a replica building that was based on the photos of the H.W. Reimer Store in Steinbach, which was built by Heinrich Willms Reimer in 1886 across the street from his father’s general store, which is featured in our village.

See General Store Hours

Our Vendors

Designs by Eleonore

Eleonore Thiessen
First Fruits Crafts & Designs

Andree Desorcy
Hilda’s Closet

Hilda Hiebert
MegKay Designs

Meggie Kornelsen
Olive Beyond

Barbara Guenther
Peppered Letters Co.

Pepper Neymchuk
Poppy & Mae

Kailynne Koster
Prairie Candles

Lorna Harms
Sew What

Doreen Peloquin
Through Glass Images

Gail Penner

Be a Part of MHV's History

Support the MHV and enjoy free admission all season long, along with special discounts at our restaurant and gift shop.

Learn more about membership