Helena Peters Dress Circa 1928-1935 Mexico Helena Peters Dress in the Permanent Gallery Jakob and Helena Peters, Newlyweds in Mexico. This dress belonged to Mrs. Helena (Friesen) Peters. Helena was born May 10, 1912 near Winkler, Manitoba, Canada. She was an orphan at age six and went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Isaak Penner,  childless couple. Helena moved to Mexico with her adoptive parents as a young teen in the 1920s. At this time a large group of Mennonites left Manitoba for Mexico and Paraguay in response to the standardization of the public school system following World War I. Many felt the abolishment of private Mennonite schools was a threat to their religious beliefs and culture. Helena grew up and married in Mexico. In the early 1950s the Peters family moved to Canada and settled in northern Alberta. This dress, on exhibit in the permanent gallery, was made by Helena as a young woman and probably worn for church and other functions for many years. It was passed on to her children after her death in 2001. Donated by Elizabeth Peters Acc. No. 2006.35.1,2 The Peters Barn at the Mennonite Heritage Village  The Peters Barn stood in the village of Vollwerk (now Mitchell, Manitoba) for 121 years, withstanding the wind and cold and providing the Peters’ family with a setting for their livelihood for many decades. In May, 2006 the barn was moved to the Mennonite Heritage Village, just days before it was set to be demolished by fire on May 31, 2006. This barn and others like it are part of an ancient building tradition spanning a dozen centuries in the lowland countries of Northern Europe. The Peters housebarn in 1945. Historical Significance The Peters Barn was built by Peter Peters of Vollwerk in 1885, and this information is scribed into one of the barn beams. A house was once attached to its east end, the common building method of Mennonites at the time. Peter Peters, the builder of the barn, scribed his village (Vollwerk), name, and date of construction (1885) into one of the sway braces. Peter Peters (1846-1913) was the son of Jakob Peters (1813 – 1884), one of the original 12 delegates to come to North America to determine what possibilities there were for migration to Canada. Peters recommended Manitoba to his people, and the Bergthaler were among the first Mennonite migrants to arrive in the East Reserve in 1874. It is therefore partly because of Jakob Peters that Mennonites are in Manitoba, and this barn stands as a reminder of this decision to migrate and make a new life in this province. Jakob Peters was the Oberschulze of the Bergthal community in Russia and in Manitoba. His son and grandson served as reeves in the area. The history of Jakob Peters is outlined in detail in John Dyck’s Oberschulze Jakob Peters: Manitoba Pioneer Leader (1990). Structural Significance  The Peters Barn exhibits a number of interesting architectural features. The sway braces are joined in lap-notch fashion (rather than mortis and tenon), with a unique curve on top of the joints seen among older Mennonite barns. The “bent design” (the large diagonal braces connected to spanning cross beams) is a less common form among Mennonite barns. This form is directly related to medieval Danish and north European barn design. Mennonite Heritage Village Location for the Peters Barn  The Peters Barn stands today as a testament to the faith and vision of Jakob Peters. It is a welcome addition to the Mennonite Heritage Village and will be preserved for generations to come. Next preservations steps: 1.      Install new oak sills. 2.      Finish wood flooring. 3.      Thatch roof of barn and house. 4.      Replace all siding. 5.      Re-install horse and cow stalls.  The Mennonite Heritage Village would like to thank the extended Peters Family, the Peters Barn Working Group, Cornerstone Timberframes Inc., and the Rural Municipality of Hanover for their continued support in the move and restoration of the barn. Anyone interested in making a donation which will go towards repair and preservation of the Peters Barn can contact the Mennonite Heritage Village at 326-9661. Liebesbrief (Love Letter) 1794 Prussia  Agnethcke Quirings received this love letter from Johan Bartel von Mewsen just prior to their migration from Prussia to Russia in 1794.  Over a hundred years later the couple’s descendent Elizabeth (Klassen) Martens rescued the precious gift from a garbage heap in Wiesenfeld, Russia. She brought the item with her to Canada in 1927.  Johan and Agnethcke were the ancestors of many people who eventually settled in Steinbach.  On Loan from Hermann (Hank) Peters, 6th generation descendant of Johan and Agnethcke Bartel.  The 1794 Liebesbrief is brazenly romantic, containing eight poems written in red ink and surrounded by symbols of love, fidelity, and fertility. Four pairs of birds hold vines laden with fruits and flowers, culminating in large blossoms. Astounding for its symmetry and detail, this Fraktur piece shows how Mennonites were able to express desire within a seemingly austere society. Symbols in German Folk Art Birds – luck, imagination, freedom Flowers – transition, spring, beauty Tulips – faith, hope, charity Hearts – affection, love, compassion   I wish you as many fine days and moments As there are stars in the heavens. My heart would have to be pierced by a sword Before I would leave you, my darling. Translation of Second Poem Pencil Box 1717  This pencil box was carved from the wood of an apple tree with a pocketknife by a young pig herder in Prussia. His name was Jacob Behrand, which is inscribed beneath the lid. Wanted - donations We are looking for: ~ an old violin in fairly good condition for display purposes. Please contact us at: Mennonite Heritage Village 231 PTH 12 N Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1T8 PH. (204) 326-9661 Toll Free: 1-866-280-8741 Fax (204) 326-5046 info@mhv.ca Top Site sponsored by Derksen Printers Ltd.