Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1958-
History
The Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society (MMHS) was established in 1958. Its objectives have been to foster an awareness of Mennonite history and culture. The efforts of the Agricultural Advisory Committee on the Mennonite West Reserve during the 1930s and the publications of history books such those written by P.J. Schaefer served as a catalyst for the forming of MMHS. The early leaders in the Society were Gerhard Lohrenz, P.J.B Reimer, Gerhard Ens, and John C. Reimer.
The Society established the Mennonite Village Museum in Steinbach, Manitoba in 1967. It was also planned centennial celebrations in 1967, 1970 and 1975. In 1979 the Society separated into a museum society and a history and cultural organization, with the latter retaining the name. In 1981, a new constitution was completed by John J. Friesen and the Society was incorporated under the Corporations Act of Manitoba. The re-organized society concentrated its efforts on book publication, educational activities and creating cultural awareness.
In 1988 the MMHS again split into two groups. The new group formed the Hanover Steinbach Historical Society (HSHS) which focused on the research and publication of the history of the area surrounding Steinbach, Manitoba.
The Society began publishing the MMHS Newsletter in December 1984. In 1999, after publishing 23 issues, the name was changed to Heritage Posting.
In 2005 the Society had a membership of about 200 people. It had a board with a five-person executive committee and five standing committees -- Local History, Genealogy, Publication and Marketing, Membership and Publicity, and Historic Sites and Monuments.