Mennonite Heritage Village

HISTORY

1877 windmillThe 1877 Windmill, Steinbach Manitoba

  • Built by Peter K. Barkman for Abraham S. Friesen
    (May to November of 1877)
  • It cost $2,000 and was used to process feed, flour
    and for cutting lumber
  • Stood about 100 metres from Main and Friesen (Extra Foods lot)
  • Converted to steam in 1879 at a cost of $1,300, then sold
    and moved to Rosenort
  • Torn down in 1920

Original windmillThe 1972 Windmill at Mennonite Heritage Village

  • Discussions began in 1963 about a vision for building a replica
  • J.J. Reimer contacted The Netherlands consul in Winnipeg in 1964
  • By 1970 final approval for the project was given by the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society and AJ de Koning of the Dutch Windmill Society visited Steinbach in August
  • JJ Reimer was joined by Eugene Derksen, Henry W. Redekopp, George F. Loewen and KR Barkman to implement the work in Steinbach.
  • Mr. Jan Medendorp, (Dutch millwright) comes to supervise the work
  • Pilings were placed in February, concrete was poured in early May and the first timbers went up on August 9th. The cap was placed on September 30 and the first bag of flour was milled on November 2, 1972
  • The replica windmill cost $98,800

The 2001 WindmillFire!

  • Fire destroyed the 1972 windmill at 3:30 am on Sunday, October 22, 2000.
  • Cause was determined as arson by fire commissioner later that day.
  • Steinbach residents in shock, sentiments of dismay and condolence received from across Canada and as far away as Europe and South Africa.
  • Board of Directors met that afternoon and agreed that the windmill must be rebuilt as soon as possible. A committee was formed to spearhead the work.
  • SkeletonPlea for help went to the Dutch Windmill Society who identified Lucas Verbij of Verbij Hoogmade BV as a person whose millwright company could help in the rebuilding process.
  • The windmill's timber frame was raised on June 27. Millwrights from subcontractor Vaags Molenwerks arrived August 1 to install the Dutch made gears, stones and shafts. They completed their work by August 16.
  • The cap was raised on Wed., August 15, 2001
  • Mill timberThe windmill was completed with the raising of the sails on September 14 and final assembly of the fantail system on September 18, 2001 - only 329 days after the fire.
  • Total insured cost of rebuilding the windmill was $614,191. An additional $14,866 was spent on systems to discourage and detect intruders as well as a system to detect and control fires
  • The first wheat was ground on Thursday, September 20th
  • A dedication ceremony took place on Sunday, October 23, 2001

Windmill Dedication

  • On the afternoon of Sunday, October 23, 2001 over 300 people gathered at Mennonite Heritage Village to dedicate the new windmill. The weather was mild and sunny with a light breeze from the west and it seemed a fitting contrast to the events on the same day a year earlier.
  • Guests and visitors first assembled in the Village Centre Auditorium to hear the Eastman Men's Chorus sing hymns that praised God for his love and faithfulness. President John Peters related his remembrance of the morning of the fire, its devastating effect and the encouraging response of the museum board and broader community to the disaster.
  • Following Mr. Peter's description of the rebuilding process, Gary Snider, the museum's executive director, related the history of the windmill. He talked of the origins of windmills and their role and importance to Mennonites through the centuries ending with a description of the work to build a windmill at Mennonite Heritage Village in the late 1960's and early 70's. After the context was set, Mr Gerhard Ens, past President, came to share an inspirational message that reflected on the windmill with references to various Biblical accounts of wind in the Old and New Testament. With deep appreciation it was noted that Mr. Ens had also given dedicatory remarks at the opening of the 1972 windmill. Following a prayer of thanks the guests were invited to join the board members of the museum for a brief ceremony at the windmill.
  • Board members led by John Peters and John Rempel, Operations chairman, unlocked the windmill and invited all present to enter. As the door opened the sails of the windmill began to turn. Every face held a smile, every voice reflected the joy of the moment. The afternoon ended with a faspa (light meal) of fresh bread made from the windmill's first flour, various jams, cheese and coffee, all supplied by the museums Ladies Auxiliary. The fellowship and sense of celebration was wonderful to experience.

For additional information please read related articles in the 2001 'Preserving our Heritage' newsletters.