Mennonite Heritage Museum

The Mennonite Heritage Museum, located in Abbotsford just off Highway #1, opened to the public in January 2016. The goals of the Museum, owned by the Mennonite Museum Society, are to engage present and future generations with the Mennonite story through a variety of mediums, including both permanent and temporary exhibits, films, and interactive digital displays; to preserve and document the history of Mennonites who came to British Columbia from Russia and Prussia/Poland by maintaining an historical library and an archives; and to emphasize the important role that agriculture has played in the lives of Mennonites throughout history, and amongst Mennonites in the Fraser Valley today.

The main building of the Museum houses a large permanent exhibit that documents 500 years of the Anabaptist / Mennonite story. The main building also features a gallery for temporary exhibits, featuring the artwork of local Mennonite artists as well as exhibits from other Mennonite museums and archival centres. A bookstore/gift shop, a cafe featuring traditional Mennonite baking and soups, and a small theatre are also located in the main building. The Museum also houses the Mennonite Historical Society of British Columbia on the second floor, where visitors can access a large historical research library, and those with a Mennonite background can research their family history. The historical society’s vault in the basement of the Museum holds the archival records of many BC Mennonite congregations, schools, and conferences.

A new exhibit, launched in 2023, is a traditional Mennonite housebarn. The exhibit focuses on the relationship between Mennonites and agriculture, and a house furnished with period and replica items demonstrates what life was like for Mennonites living in Ukraine and Russia in the late 19th century.

The grounds of the Museum, relandscaped in 2019-20, feature rose gardens with close to 400 rose bushes, and several other small gardens to enjoy. Outdoor seating is available both on the grounds as well as on the coffee shop patio.

For more information or answers to your questions, please call 604-758-5667.