Mennonites in Manitoba

Soon after the Province of Manitoba was formed, the Canadian government wished to attract skilled farmers to the area. Consequently, they corresponded with Russian Mennonites who were becoming increasingly persecuted in Russia. In 1873 an agreement was reached between the Canadian federal government and the Russian Mennonites giving them

exemption from military service
free land
right to control the education of their children

Eight townships were set aside for the exclusive use of the Mennonites. The Province of Manitoba betrayed this agreement to allow education in Mennonite schools in the anti-German hysteria during World War I. Many Mennonites left Canada as a result.

The Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba preserves much of the history of the early days of this settlement in the East Preserve area of Manitoba.

Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, Manitoba; CMU was formed in 2000 from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (1947), Concord College (MB- 1944), and Menno Simons College (1988). The present campus is formed by the adjacent campuses of CMBC and MSC. Winnipeg is probably the city in the world with the largest concentration of Mennonites with more than 20,000 members in over 40 churches
Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Soon after the Province of Manitoba was formed, the Canadian government wished to attract skilled farmers to the area. Consequently, they corresponded with Russian Mennonites who were becoming increasingly persecuted in Russia
1873 agreement between the Canadian federal government and the Russian Mennonites giving them 1) exemption from military service, 2) free land, and 3) right to control the education of their children. The Province of Manitoba betrayed this last privilege in the anti-German hysteria during World War I. Many Mennonites left Canada as a result.
Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba; http://www.mennoniteheritagevillage.com/; This is a semlin, a sod house built by Mennonite immigrants from Russia in the 1870s when they first arrived in Manitoba at the invitation of the Federal government. The structures had wood floors and appear quite livable. The sod roof provided insulation and excavating for the structure made it warmer during the harsh winters. These were soon replaced by log structures that were modeled after the houses in Russia
As soon as possible, the immigrants built log houses similar to those they had built in Russia. These were built adjoining the barn to make caring for livestock easier during winter. Most of these homes had flower boxes inside the windows to grow geraniums year around. The interior partitions were only about 7 feet high leaving room for air circulation so a wood stove could heat the house.
Early Mennonite meeting house, Steinbach; Beside the dynamic lady preacher, note the innovation of a pulpit rather than a table. Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonites would have been scandalized!
Printing business moved to the Mennonite Heritage Village from Steinbach, Mb community
Blacksmith shop, Mennonite Heritage Village; Note powered stamping anvil and hand cranked bellows
Wind powered grist mill, Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach, Mb; This is a working replica of older mill that was burned by an arsonist. This was designed by an engineer from the Netherlands who supervised its construction. The small wheel in the rear powers the mechanism that rotates the windmill into the wind. Note that the blades are louvered to control the speed. Mennonites introduced large scale wheat production and within three years of their arrival Manitoba was exporting wheat.
All of the mechanical parts of the windmill are made of wood. These gears are quite large. This is a working mill that grinds flour for sale
I was fascinated by the louvered blades
Early government public school, Mennonite Heritage Village; The 1873 agreement between the Canadian federal government and the Russian Mennonites gave them the right to organize their own educational system separate from the public schools. But education in Canada is governed by the provinces and during World War I the Manitoba government mandated all instruction must be in English. Eventually the government set up public schools in the Mennonite communities. Many Mennonite emigrated to Mexico and Paraguay rather than lose control over their children's education

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Mennonites in Manitoba

Mennonites in Manitoba