The Objects We Hold Dear
Material Culture Among Kanadier Mennonites
EastMenn’s annual meeting is set to take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) in Steinbach!
Join us as we explore the material culture of the Kanadier Mennonite settlers who immigrated to Manitoba during the 1870s. Together, we’ll consider the values and stories behind the objects that shaped their lives and helped build a community in Manitoba.
The day will include a variety of activities, including a historic artifact show-and-tell, exclusive tour of the MHV’s vault, and a keynote lecture from Dr. Roland Sawatzky.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Learn about EastMenn’s progress in 2024, from the Historic Atlas of the East Reserve to the Peace Trail, and its plans for the year ahead.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Bring an object from your family’s history, share its story, and gain tips from former curator and museums advisor, Ed G. Krahn, on preserving these treasures for future generations.
Tables will be provided for the historic show-and-tell. Please contact Garth Doerksen at the MHV in advance to confirm that space is available.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Explore MHV’s vault with assistant curator, Garth Doerksen, and Dr. Roland Sawatzky of the Manitoba Museum. Discover a remarktable collection of artifacts that illustrate the Mennonite story.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Hear from Dr. Roland Sawatzky, curator of history at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg, as he provides insights into the material culture brought by the Mennonite immigrants of 1874.
Registration Form
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Roland Sawatzky joined the Manitoba Museum in 2011. He conducts research, is responsible for acquisitions, and develops exhibits related to the settlement period in Manitoba, including the development of Winnipeg. His research interests include the social meaning of material culture, 19th century settlement in Manitoba, life in the home, and historical archaeology.
Share an Artifact
Tables will be provided for the historic show-and-tell. Please contact Garth Doerksen at the MHV in advance to confirm that space is available.
Event Poster
