MHSA

Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta

Archives
Events
Data/Projects
Publications

 
 

Windows to the West Reserve: A Mennonite Heritage Preservation Newsletter

No. 4 - June 2002

Lawrence Klippenstein, Editor (See WWR Contacts for details of those mentioned in this issue.)

Notes from Legacy Links
(Vol. 1:2)

From the files of Howard Winkler: In 1881 the CPR began its "Pembina Mountain Brand" line as it was called for several years. It ran, in its first phase, from Rosenfeld to a point half way between the towns of what became Winkler, and Morden. In 1882 the line arrived in Morden. For the next 11 years it passed through empty prairies where Winkler is located today. For some years a flag station was located there. In 1898 a CPR station was erected. Mr. W.J.Wells served as the first agent.

David and Helena Schwartz Klassen. David came to Canada at the age of 19 (was born in 1855). David and Helena had nine children. They lived in Altona from 1878-1903 (that would mean the Village of Altona, at least for the first years, because the town was not established till 1895 - in fact Altona village was established only in 1880 -ed.). The Schwarz House (built by Helena's father, John, in 1902 -ed.) is a heritage house (actually now also a bed and breakfast place -ed.) in Altona. The family moved to Winkler in 1903 and settled on Mill Street (Park St. now), then still later moved to Glencross near Morden.

A daughter, Justina (Jan. 5, 1889-July 23, 1982), was married to a well-known Winkler teacher, John Robert Edinger-Wolkof (1888­1965) in 1909. An excellent photo of Justina and John was provided by an old glass negative found in the George Sawatzky collection (Winkler). A granddaughter, Gladys Klassen, helped to identify the persons on the photo.

The Winkler community remembered the contribution of its early Jewish families with the unveiling of a cairn on May 26. For more information, contact Abe Suderman. A book has been published on this project.

Legacy Links is edited by Sally Harms. To get copies (for 3.00 per issue) contact Sally. Irvin Kroeker of Winnipeg chairs the newsletter committee.

The Village of Neubergthal was designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada about ten years ago. It has recently obtained a lease on a housebarn property which will become a cultural centre for the community. A bus load of visitors from Western Canada is touring the village today. For further information on this development contact Ray Hamm.

The Town of Altona willl be launching the construction of a new Exhibit Centre with a sod turning ceremony on June 24. It will be located adjacent to the Altbergthal school museum situated on the grounds of the Rhineland Pioneer Centre. For further info on the event contact Ron Epp.

A cairn honouring the work of its former teachers was erected at the old Glencross school grounds near Morden a few years ago.

The Altbergthal Heritage Group is working on three projects: writing a history of the community, renovating the old public school building as a heritage site (now situated in Altona), and cleaning up the old village cemetery. For further details contact Ray Klippenstein.

A Burwalde group is discussing the preparation of a Burwalde community history. For further information contact Ed Hoeppner. Burwalde-connected people meet regularly for a Saturday breakfast
in Winkler. Their coordinator is Marvin Enns.

The old David Schellenberg farmstead at Cairn Corner near Gretna is being renovated as a bed and breakfast place. The descendants of the family have recently placed the headstone of the senior David Schellenberg at Cairn Corner.

The Village of Chortitz (Winkler) is planning to unveil a cairn at its local cemetery "In Remembrance of our Foregathers". The date is July 28. For details, contact Mavis Dyck. We are all invited!

The Henry Loewen family descendants, with connections in the old school district of Silberfeld, as well as Gretna, are planning a reunion at Gretna on July 14 this summer. For details contact Benno Loewen of Gretna.

The Post Road Heritage Society, based in Emerson, is working on setting up an interpretive trail within the borders of the old Fort Dufferin. Parks Canada and other organizations are discussing other development aspects related to the Fort.

The Mennonite Heritage Village Museum is planning to install an audio of information in the former Old Colony church building, once located in Chortitz near Winkler, and now to be seen on the
museum grounds. For details contact director Gary Snider. Donations are most welcome.

FLASH! FLASH! -- Plum Coulee Gets Biq Heritaqe Grant -- FLASH!

On May 25 Plum Coulee got the gift of a free elevator building from Agricore United. It will be developed as a heritage building, with a restaurant, Wild Plum Cafe, projected to open on the top story of the building.

The project Is part of a larger heritage development plan made possible by a donation of about $600,000.00 by the Saul Bronfman Family Foundation. It is in part a commemoration of important contributions made by Jewish families to the Plum Coulee community, especially in the early decades of the town. For further information contact Cleo Heinrichs and local people.

Last Updated 14 Jan 2007

General Queries/Comments: Contact MHSA