From restorations to memorable events, MHV (Mennonite Heritage Village) executive director Gary Dyck looks back on their 2023.
Dyck says it has been a good year for attendance with approximately 50,000 visitors this year. Ten thousand visitors came from outside Canada—mainly from the U.S. and Europe—which makes up 20 per cent of the group.
“It's really neat to mingle and connect with [them], and I know our volunteers love connecting with people from international and hearing their story and perspectives,” Dyck says.
Dyck says visitation was also an economic boost. International visitors spent a daily average of $375, while visitors from outside the province spent $200 per day, and locals spent $110.
He says his highlight from 2023 was Pioneer Days, the activities and having thousands of visitors in the village. When he closed his eyes, it felt like he was taken 100 years back in time.
“It just is a cool feel because you can just imagine how [it] would have been for those farmers and the threshing field, you know, 100 years ago having that steamer there. And then the horses, you know, with their wagons going up and down the streets of the village. And as the horses would pass, some of them would actually 'neigh’ at each other,” he says.
The MHV also tackled many projects over the past year. Dyck says they painted the faded exterior of the Livery Barn Restaurant. They rebuilt the Printery’s foundation and restored the printer. For the General Store, they redid the exterior and added insulation and a cold climate heating pump. They also fixed the lighting in the Reimer store.
Dyck says they had some issues with the fountain at the pond, but it was a good addition to the grounds. School groups who visit the village have gone to the pond and the green space around it, something he says he’s never seen before.
They are currently working on the Village Centre’s white trim, which Dyck says will be finished in May.
“A lot went on that year this past year, and it was good,” he says. “I finally feel like we're getting ahead of the game."
@steinbach_online Sights and sounds at the Pioneer Days festivities at MHV in under a minute ⏱️ #fyp #museum #steinbach #canada #manitoba #animals #candy #summer ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline
With files from Adi Loewen.
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