After more than a decade as Senior Curator at the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) in Steinbach, Andrea Klassen is stepping into a new role, as the mother of two. As she prepares for the next chapter of life, Andrea took time to reflect on what her years at the museum have meant and the people, stories, and moments that left a lasting mark. What has being part of the Mennonite Heritage Village meant to you? “When I first got the job, I was thrilled, like, ‘Yes! I got it!’ And then right away I thought, ‘Oh no… now I have to do the job.’” Andrea joined the museum after a layoff from the Manitoba Museum. At the time, she said it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under her. But the move turned out to be a blessing. “I remember someone told me, ‘Andrea, MHV is a wonderful place. You got the better deal.’ And now, 11 years later, I really believe they were right. It’s been wonderful.” She spoke about the warm community at the MHV and the unique relationship the museum has with Steinbach’s residents and businesses. “This place has something special. The way the community gets involved, the local radio, the newspaper, the volunteers, the donors. It’s different from anywhere else I’ve worked.” What are some of the highlights or adventures you’ve had at the MHV? “There are so many. However, one of the most significant aspects has been working under great leadership. That makes a world of difference.” But above all, Andrea kept coming back to one theme: the people. “When we had a crazy idea in 2019 to build a kitchen scene that looked like it had been ransacked for our Russlaender exhibit, we had no budget, no materials. But then this woman from the MHV Auxiliary said her husband could help. He shows up with a full 3D model of what he planned to build, and he built the whole thing as a volunteer!” It was one of many moments where community members stepped up, not just with time, but with skills, energy, and generosity. You mentioned the people before the artifacts. Is that what stands out most to you? “Absolutely. The people are what I’ll remember most.” Andrea described the incredible dedication of MHV’s volunteers, some of whom have been involved for decades. “They’re here before the staff shows up. They’re still around at closing. Some are in their 80s or 90s and still out here planting flowers, painting fences, doing whatever needs to be done. I’ve had a front-row seat to that kind of selfless generosity.” She added, “That’s something I’ve learned from. How to give back, how to show up for your community, just because you care.” How many artifacts have you taken in over your time here? “Well, this is kind of a shot in the dark,” she said, “but when I started, I think we had around 15,000 items in the collection. Now we’re just over 17,000, so maybe around 1,000 to 2,000 new pieces during that time.” Andrea was quick to point out that this work was very much a team effort, involving assistant curators and support from volunteers. Do any particular artifacts stand out to you? “It’s always the stories that stick with me.” She remembered an older man donating his leather jacket, the same one he wore when he boarded a train full of military recruits as a young conscientious objector. “He said, ‘I was very quiet on that trip.’ The way he said it, it just struck me.” Then there was the elderly couple who donated a scale model of the wife’s childhood home. “He pointed to the front stoop and said, ‘Remember when we used to sit there and look at the moon?’ They were in their 90s. It was just such a sweet picture of their life together.” Not all the stories were easy. She remembered a box of baby clothes donated from Ontario. At first glance, the clothes looked brand new—until she read the story that went with them. The baby had only lived a few days. “That’s why the clothes were in perfect condition,” she said quietly. “Those moments stay with you.” So what’s next for you? “Well, my husband and I welcomed our first child about a year and four months ago, and now we’re expecting another. So I’ll be staying home with the kids for a while. Two under two; It’s going to be a big shift, but I’m really looking forward to it.” Is there anything you’ll take with you from your time here into this next chapter? “One big thing is that sense of trust, that even when something seems impossible, it tends to work out. At first, I thought, ‘How can I come up with a new exhibit every single year?’ But somehow, the ideas came. Sometimes while brushing my teeth!” Andrea adds, “I used to see every obstacle first. Now, I try to ask, ‘What would it take to make this work?’ I think that shift, from doubt to possibility, is something I’ll carry with me into family life.” What are your hopes for the MHV moving forward? “I really hope the right person comes along to take on the role. It’s not just a job. It wasn’t for me, and it wasn’t for my predecessor either. It’s something special.” She also shared some of her “blue sky” hopes, like improved storage space for the collections and maybe a new gallery someday, but emphasized that finding the right curator is what matters most. “Someone who sees the potential, who wants to grow here, and who feels that same connection to the museum and the people.” Would you like to say thank you to anyone? “Oh, so many people,” she said. “But especially the volunteers. The ones who have been involved for decades, and especially those who’ve worked closely with the curatorial department, you know who you are.” She also thanked the museum’s leadership for their support and trust, her staff and coworkers for always stepping up, and the community for standing behind the museum in so many ways. “And to our donors, both those who share their family stories and those who support us financially, you’ve made our work possible. Your support isn’t just practical. It’s personal. It means the world.” As Andrea Klassen steps away from her role at the Mennonite Heritage Village, she leaves behind more than exhibits and artifacts; she leaves behind a legacy of storytelling, community connection, and heart.