Henry Goerzen and Peter Penner – packing up the Didsbury Granary vault
Accession 2002.020, 2002.031, 2003.048, 2004.046, 2004.059, 2005.062, 2005.063, 2006.025, 2007.024, 2010.011, 2013.015, 2019.013 filed at 2002.020
Title and Physical Description
Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta fonds. — 1972-2008. — 28.75 cm of textual records. — 236 photographs. — 15 DVDs
Administrative History
The Western Canada Mennonite Historical Society was organized on 24 May 1973 with the goal of collecting and publishing in all areas of Canadian Mennonite life in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. This vision was nurtured by three professional historians: John. B. Toews and Henry Klassen teaching at University of Calgary and Theodore Regehr teaching at University of Saskatchewan. The first annual general meeting was held in Saskatoon on 24 November 1973 when the following were elected to the executive: John B. Toews, Chairman; Theodore Regehr, Vice Chairman; Gilbert Epp, Treasurer; and Lorne Buhr, Secretary. By October of 1974 it was being known as the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan and Alberta and it had obtained charitable donation status from the Canadian government.
Because of the difficulties posed by operating in two provinces, the Alberta contingent withdrew and the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta (MHSA) arose on 12 July 1986. On that date, Bill and Elenora (nee Dyck) Janzen (Camrose), David Wiebe-Neufeldt (Lethbridge), Carl Schlichting (Edmonton), Henry Goerzen & Erna (nee Warkentin) Goerzen (Didsbury), Harry & Gladys Stauffer (Tofield), Marvin Schmidt, Mary Epp, Eric & Anne (nee Klassen) Harder, Irene (nee Epp) Klassen, Anne Falk, and Helen Brown were present. A Steering Committee was formed, consisting of Henry Goerzen, Harry Stauffer, and Jean Penner (Edmonton), with the first general meeting held on 1 November 1986 in Red Deer. Henry Goerzen wrote the editorial for the first newsletter in November 1986, noting the focus of the society would be to “collect and encourage writing of history, identify and inventory artifacts, genealogy and publish”. The administration of the MHSA was conducted and records held in the home and granary of Henry Goerzen in Didsbury. The chairs of the board have been: Henry Goerzen (Didsbury), Jake Harder (Edmonton), Colin Neufeldt (Edmonton, 2002-2006, 2008-2010), Vince Friesen (Edmonton, 2006-2008), and William Janzen (2010-). In 2002 the operation moved to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) building (Skyline Drive, Calgary), in 2003 to the MCC Thrift Store Mezzanine (Calgary), and in 2004 to the 2nd floor of the MCC Tower (Calgary). At that time, an environmentally-controlled vault was constructed. It is a member of the Mennonite Historical Society of Canada and the Archives Society of Alberta.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of A) Governance, B) Correspondence, C) Operations, D) Mennonite Central Committee Book, E) Events
Source of Acquisition
Gifts by Henry Goerzen, Lynnette Toews-Neufeldt, Colin Neufeldt, and Irene Klassen and transferred from MHSA active records, 2002-2013.
Related Materials
For publications related to the fonds, see:
- A Celebration of Service: The Story of MCC Alberta, 1965-1991 (available in the MHSA Library and for sale from the MHSA)
- Alternative Service for Peace in Canada during World War II, 1941-46
- Knowing and Interpreting our Past: Alberta’s Mennonite History (2000)
- MHSA newsletters
Notes
Accession 2002.020, 2002.031, 2003.048, 2004.046, 2004.059, 2005.062, 2005.063, 2006.025, 2007.024, 2013.015 filed at 2002.020
Series Inventory
A. Governance. — 1986-2008. — 8.5 cm textual records
The series consists of copies of constitutions, bylaws, and minutes. Arranged by date
1-1 Constitution – 1986-2000
1-2 Bylaws – 1999-2000
1-3 Minutes – 1973-1984
1-4 Minutes – 1986
1-5 Minutes – 1987
1-6 Minutes – 1988
1-7 Minutes – 1989
1-8 Minutes – 1990
1-9 Minutes – 1991
1-10 Minutes – 1997
1-11 Minutes – 1998
1-12 Minutes – 1999
1-13 Minutes – 2000
1-14 Minutes – 2001
1-15 Minutes – 2002
1-16 Minutes – 2003
1-17 Minutes – 2004
1-18 Minutes – 2005
1-19 Minutes – 2006
1-20 Minutes – 2007
1-21 Minutes – 2008
B. Correspondence. — 1972-2007. — 18.25 cm textual records
The series consists of correspondence and other documents regarding the formation and administration of the MHSA, including the build-out in 2003. Arranged by date
1-22 Western Canada Mennonite Historical Society – 1972-1974
1-23 Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan and Alberta – 1975-1976
1-24 Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan and Alberta – 1977
1-26 Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan and Alberta – 1978-1984
1-26a Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan and Alberta, newsletter, 1973-1976. From Accession 2009.004 donated by Peter Goerzen.z
1-26b Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan and Alberta, minutes and newsletters, 1975-76. From accession 2010.011 donated by Loren Buhr.
1-27 Correspondence – 1987-1995
1-28 Correspondence – 1996
1-29 Correspondence – 1998
1-30 Correspondence – 1999
2-31 Correspondence – 2000
2-32 Correspondence – 2001
2-33 Correspondence – 2002
2-34 Correspondence – 2003
2-35 Correspondence Regarding Construction – 2003
2-36 Correspondence – 2004
2-37 Correspondence Regarding Construction – 2004
2-38 Correspondence – 2005
2-39 Correspondence – 2006
2-40 Correspondence – 2007
C. MHSA Operations. — 1998-2003. — 1.0 cm textual records
The series consists of plans regarding the build-out of the MHSA Centre and membership base. Arranged by subject
2-41 MCC Alberta Office Building Addition architectural drawings book – 2003 [separated – oversize]
2-42 MHSA Membership – 1998-1999
2-42a MHSA Library and Archive Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Recommendations, February, 2005
D. Mennonite Central Committee Book. — 1991. — 1.0 cm textual records
The series consists of correspondence, minutes and research notes used to write the history of the Mennonite Central Committee (Alberta). Arranged by date
2-43 Mennonite Central Committee Archives Holdings at Mennonite Heritage Centre – n.d.
2-44 Mennonite Central Committee (Alberta) Celebrates – Correspondence and Selected Drafts – 1991
E. Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta Events. — 1995-2007. — 226 photographs. — 15 DVDs
The series consists of video recordings and photographs of MHSA organized events. Arranged by date
Conscientious Objector Celebration – 1995
15 photographs Received as accession 2002.032 but filed in photo box as 2002.020.001 to 2002.020.015.
.001 WWII trees planted, Elk Falls, Campbell River, BC – 1995
.002 [participants of celebration in front of signage] – 1995
.003 Erna (Warkentin) Goerzen – 1995
.004 “50 Years of Forest Management” sign – 1995
.005 Elk Falls [man in front of tree] – 1995
.006 [trees] – 1995
.007 COs at dedication of plaque at Campbell River, BC – 1995
.008 COs at celebration – WWII Forestry Service Group – 1995
.009 Elk Falls, Campbell River, BC – 1995
.010 Tree planting during WW II, Elk Falls, Campbell River, BC [Erna (Warkentin) Goerzen in foreground] – 1995
.011 Saving the log at celebration of CO WW II forestry service – 1995
.012 Tree planted in 1938-1944 by Cos, Elk Falls, Campbell River, BC – 1995
.013 COs at dedication of plaque, 1995 celebration of WWII service – 1995
.014 COs planted forest – 1995 – Elk Falls, Campbell River, BC – 1995
.015 COs at celebration of WW II service – site of plaque – 1995
MHSA Photograph Albums
.001 First Meeting of MHSA Red Deer AB MB Church – 1986
.002 Mary Epp Anne Falk Anne Harder Eric Harder Nora Janzen at place Red Deer MB church at event First meeting with remark Group – 1986
.003 Henry Stauffer making First contribution to Henry Goerzen Chairman of Alberta Mennonite Historical Society – 1986
.004 First Meeting of MHSA Red Deer AB MB Church – 1996
.005 Group of people outside Red Deer MB Church – July 12 1986
.006 Group of people outside Red Deer MB Church – July 12 1986
.007 Group of people outside Red Deer MB Church – July 12 1986
.008 Group of people outside Red Deer MB Church – July 12 1986
.009 Planning MCC History Book – 1990
.010 Planning MCC History Book – 1990
.011 Planning MCC History Book – 1990
.012 Planning MCC History Book – 1990
.013 First Meeting of MHSA Red Deer AB MB Church – 1986
.014 John Klassen Erna Goerzen Helen Brown Harry Stauffer Dave Wiebe Neufeldt at place CAN – AB – Red Deer at event First meeting with remark First meeting of Alberta Mennonite Historical Society – 1986
.015 First Meeting of MHSA Red Deer AB MB Church – 1986
.016 Donation of History Book – 1986
.017 Inside Anne Neufeld’s home – nd
.018 MHSA – 1999
.019 Duchess Aug – 1999
.020 John Klassen,Bill Janzen,John Wiebe, Dick Friesen,the Harders at place John Wiebe’s Home at event – with remark MHSA Workshop – nd
.021 meeting at Duchess at place at event MHSA Workshop with remark Workshop at Duchess – nd
.022 Group lunch at place – at event – with remark Workshop at Duchess – nd
.023 Display tables at place at event Workshop with remark – nd
.024 Dave WiebenEufeldt,? Henry Goerzen, Peter Penner, Judith Rempel, ? at place MHSA at event – with remark In front of The Grain Bin /MHSA Archives – nd
.025 Erna Goerzen, Justina Penner at place – at event Display Quilt with remark Duchess Workshop – nd
.026 Workshop at Duchess at place – at event Display tables with remark MHSA Workshop – nd
.027 none at place ? at event Home of Henry Goerzen with remark – nd
.028 Grain Bin / MHSA Archives – nd
.029 Painting on display – nd
.030 John and L. Pauls, Ken Reddig, Sylvia Regehr at place – at event with remark – nd
.031 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – 37165
.032 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – 37165
.033 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.034 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.035 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.036 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.037 Cruise Reunion Abbeydale – 40238
.038 George Paetkau, Irene Klassen, Henry Goerzen,Judith Rempel, Dick Klippenestein, Dave WiebeNeufeldt. at place – at event – with remark – Mar.01
.039 Mennonite Heritage Cruise Reunion – Mar.01
.040 Cornie and Helen Friesen,Justina Penner at place – at event – with remark Reunion – Mar.01
.041 John Klassen, Bill Janzen, John Wiebe, ?? Alice Harder at place – at event – with remark – – Mar.01
.042 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.043 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.044 MHSA West Zion Carstairs – Oct. 01
.045 MHSA – Oct. 01
.046 Salem Church Tofield – Nov .01
.047 Salem Church Tofield – Nov .01
.048 Salem Church Tofield – Nov .01
.049 Salem Church Tofield – Oct. 01
.050 Building MHSA Facilities – 2002
.051 Building MHSA Facilities – 2002
.052 MHSA Building Facilities – 2002
.053 MHSA Building Facilities – 2002
.054 Cleaning – 2002
.055 Cleaning – 2002
.056 Cleaning – 2002
.057 Cleaning – 2002
.058 Moving – 2002
.059 none at place 2946.32 St. NE at event moving with remark – 2002
.060 Cleaning – 2002
.061 Moving – 2002
.062 Moving – 2002
.063 Moving – 2002
.064 Cleaning – 2002
.065 files – 2002
.066 Moving – 2002
.067 Moving – 2002
.068 Moving – 2002
.069 Moving – 2002
.070 Moving – 2002
.071 Moving – 2002
.072 moving the files – 2002
.073 moving – 2002
.074 moving – 2002
.075 setting up – 2002
.076 at new desk – 2002
.077 new office – 2002
.078 Henry Goerzen ? at place 2946 32 St at event with remark – 2002
.079 Jake Harder,John Klassen,Irene Klassen at place same at event First exec meeting with remark First executive meeting – 37469
.080 meeting – same
.081 meeting – 2002
.082 painting by Ellen Kinghorn – 2002
.083 painting – 2002
.084 – at place MHSA at event – with remark work at MHSA – 2002
.085 none at place MHSA at event – with remark Cupboards at MHSA – 2002
.086 Ellen Kinghorn at place MHSA at event – with remark Painting volunteer – 2002
.087 MHSA Board – 2002
.088 MHSA Board – 2002
.089 Display of L A sign – 2002
.090 Abe Janzen MCC Director at Launch applauding the relationship congratulating MHSA – 2002
.091 Jake Harder – 2002
.092 Jake giving Life Membership to Henry and Erna Goerzen – 2002
.093 Jake Harder Chairman MHSA Launch – 2002
.094 Henry Goerzen unlocking Archives door – 2002
.095 It’s cut – 2002
.096 Ribbon cutting – 2002
.097 Irene Klassen listening to speakers – 2002
.098 Henry Goerzen Irene Klassen – 2002
.099 Sign created by Henry Goerzen and Dave WiebeNeufeldt – 2002
.100 Dave WiebeNeufelt with Sign – 2002
.101 Henry Goerzen made the sign – 2002
.102 the sign – 2002
.103 Abe Janzen chatting with Hilda Heidebrecht and Olive Klassen – 2002
.104 Abe Janzen, MCC Director at Launch of MHSA – 2002
.105 Judii Rempel explaining Peter Penner – 2002
.106 Henry Goerzen and Erna Goerzen being given life membership at MHSA – 2002
.107 Jake Harder Henry & Erna Goerzen getting certificate of Life Membership – 2002
.108 Henry Goerzen and Irene Klassen cutting ribbon – 2002
.109 Henry Goerzen Irene Klassen at place MHSA at event Launch with remark Ribbon cutting – 2002
.110 Judii Rempel welcoming Harders to visit various stations in the L&A – 2002
.111 Harold Friesen Hilda Heidebrecht at place MHSA at event Launch with remark Harold Friesen and Hilda Heidebrecht studying Grandma – 2002
.112 Judii Rempel at work in the library – 2002
.113 Colin Neufeldt – 2002
.114 Library & Archives – 2002
.115 archives at place Library/Archives at event with remark – 2002
.116 Laura Dyck, Erna Goerzen,Rita Dahl,Dick Neufeld at place Library/Archives at event Launch with remark Launch of Archives – 2002
.117 Judii Rempel,Dave WiebeNeufeldt,Michael Gourlie at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark Launch of Archives – 2002
.118 Ralph Dahl, Peter Dyck, at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark Launch of Archives – 2002
.119 Irene Klassen, Nettie Hildebrand,Anne Wiens,Peter Dyck at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark Launch of Archives – 2002
.120 Audience at Launch at place at event with remark Audience at the Launch – 2002
.121 at place Launch and Dedication at event with remark – 2002
.122 Les Plett,Peter Dyck,Jake Harder,Ben Geddert,Edna Paetkau at place Launch and Dedication at event with remark Studying Displays at launch – 2002
.123 Justina Penner,Laura Dyck,Erna Goerzen at place Launch and Dedication at event with remark – 2002
.124 Frieda Toews,AnneMarie Boyes,Olive Klassen at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark – 2002
.125 Willie Hildebrand,Harold Friesen,Jake Harder,Henry Goerzen ? Dave Goerzen at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark Launch of Archives – 2002
.126 Colin Neufeldt,Richard Harder,Harold Friesen,Peter Penner, Abe Janzen,Erna Goerzen,Elsie Epp,Art Janz,Les Plett, Laura Dyck at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark – 2002
.127 George Paetkau, Edna Paetkau at place Launch and Dedication at event with remark George and Edna Paetkau studying the Chinook/Sedalia record – 2002
.128 Abe Janzen, Henry Goerzen,Michael Gurlie,Judii Rempel, Ben Geddert at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark Abe Janzen speaking to adience at Launch – 2002
.129 Ralph Dahl, John Klassen, Colin Neufeldt,Dick Neufeld, Dave WiebeNeufeldt, Anne Wiens, Dave Goerzen, Margaret Kent and more at place Launch and Dedication at event Launch with remark Group of people at the launch of Library and Archives October 5 2002 – 2002
.130 Jake Harder, Judith Rempel at place at event Judii receiving gift with remark Salem Mennonite Church Tofield – 2002
.131 Jake Harder, Irene Klassen. at place Tofield at event Reading minutes with remark Gem Mennonite Brethren Church – 2003
.132 Colin Neufeldt at place Gem at event AGM with remark Chairman 2003-2004 – 2003
.133 The gathering was sparse but grew later – 2003
.134 The gathering was sparse but grew later – 2003
.135 George Paetkau Treas. – 2003
.136 Mary Burkholder Program – 2003
.137 MHSA Gem MB Church – 2003
.138 Henry Walde – 2003
.139 Linda Lauber – 2003
.140 Gem MHSA – 2003
.141 Gem MHSA – 2003
.142 Quick Executive Meeting – 2003
.143 New Executive – 2003
.144 Jake Wiens – 2003
.145 Harvey Burkholder, Harry Stauffer at place Gem at event Meeting with remark Harry introducing Harvey – 2003
.146 MHSA Gem MB Church – 2003
.147 Story-teller Harvey Burkholder and Friend – 2003
.148 Harvey Burkholder – 2003
.149 Jessie Kehler MHSA – 2003
.150 Quartet Rosemary – 2003
.151 Those who didn’t arrive and why – 2003
.152 Judii Rempel John Dyck,Margaret Kent at place Calgary at event with remark Storm kept them away from MHSA meeting in Gem – 2003
.153 – at place Calgary at event MHSA with remark Snow – 2003
.154 – at place Calgary at event MHSA with remark Snow – 2003
.155 The Janzens – 2003
.156 Snow – 2003
.157 Peter Penner at place – at event – with remark – nd
.158 vault – nd
.159 Board meeting – nd
.160 Launch of MHSA – 2002
.161 Board meeting – 2002
.162 Official opening – Oct.5 2002
.163 Ribbon cutting – Oct.5 2002
.164 Opening of Vault – Oct.5 2002
.165 Henry Goerzen displaying Sign – Oct.5 2002
.166 Harry Stauffer sharing with young couple – 2003
.167 Karin Bock, Olive Klassen, Judii Rempel at place Launch at event Launch with remark At Launch and Official opening of MHSA on Mezzanine floor of MCC – Oct.5 2002
.168 Dick Neufeld, Don Kaufmann at place MHSA at event – with remark – 2002
.169 Sharing stories – 2002
.170 Margaret Kent, Dick Neufeld at place MHSA at event – with remark Listening to Dick’s story – 2002
.171 none at place MHSA at event – with remark The MHSA office – 2002
.172 none at place MHSA at event – with remark Research area at MHSA – 2002
.173 MHSA – 2002
.174 SIG meeting – nd
.175 Christmas SIG – nd
.176 Christmas SIG – nd
.177 Christmas SIG – nd
.178 Justina and Dora Epp – 12,Nov, 1998
.179 Genealogy group looking at video – 12,Nov, 1998
.180 Salem Church Tofield – Oct. 01
.181 Salem Church Tofield – Oct. 01
.182 Salem Church Tofield – Oct. 01
.183 Judith Rempel receiving gift from Jake Harder – Oct. 01
.184 Judith Rempel at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Judith Rempel receiving gift Road to Freedom from Jake Harder – Oct. 01
.185 Margaret Boese at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark – – Oct. 01
.186 Henry Goerzen, Dick Neufeld, Don Kaufmann at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark – – Oct. 01
.187 Don Kaufmann at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Workshop at Tofield – Oct. 01
.188 Ted Regehr at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Workshop at Tofield – Oct. 01
.189 Ted Regehr and Don Kaufmann at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Workshop at Tofield – Oct. 01
.190 Colin Neufeldt, at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Workshop at Tofield – Oct. 01
.191 Ted Regehr and Colin Neufeldt at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Workshop at Tofield – Oct. 01
.192 – at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Land Titles Prices etc – Oct. 01
.193 – at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Group at MHSA meeting in Tofield – Oct. 01
.194 – at place CAN – AB – Tofield – Salem at event MHSA with remark Group at MHSA meeting in Tofield – Oct. 01
.195 Lethbridge /Coaldale – 2002
.196 Lethbridge /Coaldale – 2002
.197 Lethbridge /Coaldale – 2002
.198 Lethbridge /Coaldale – 2002
.199 MHSA Genealogy Group Christmas – 2002
.200 Christmas SIG – nd
.201 Genealogy group – 19,April,98
.202 Helen Friesen, at place – at event – with remark Helen Friesen – 17,Nov.98
.203 Display of pins – nd
8 photographs of the Opening of the MHSA Archives and Library. Received and filed with photographs as accession 2013.015
-01 Anabaptist Mennonite Time Line
-02 Colin Neufeldt and Henry Goerzen
-03 Henry Goerzen and Irene Klassen
-04 Rudy Friesen
-05 Arthur Kroeger
-06 Jake Balzer
-07 Irene Klassen and cake at the official opening
-08 Irene Klassen, Judii Rempel, Ted Regehr
17 DVDs. Received in several accessions and originally filed as a continuation of the subject files, but subsequently separated and filed with the DVDs.
2-45 LaCrete Tour [copy 1] – September 2003
2-46 LaCrete Tour [copy 2] – September 2003
2-47 LaCrete Tour [copy 3] – September 2003
2-47a LaCrete Tour – September 2003 – 9 photographs
2-48 Spring Conference, Lendrum & First Mennonite Churches, Edmonton (a) – 2004
2-49 Spring Conference, Lendrum & First Mennonite Churches, Edmonton (b) – 2004
2-50 Family History Conference (a) [copy 1] – September 2004
2-51 Family History Conference (b) [copy 1] – September 2004
2-52 Family History Conference (a) [copy 2] – September 2004
2-53 Family History Conference (b) [copy 2] – September 2004
2-54 Viking Hutterite Colony Tour [copy 1] – April 2005
2-55 Viking Hutterite Colony Tour [copy 2] – April 2005
2-56 Spring Conference (a) [copy 1] – June 2006
2-57 Spring Conference (b) [copy 2] – June 2006
2-58 Spring Conference (a) [copy 1] – June 2006
2-59 Spring Conference (b) [copy 2] – June 2006
2-60 Conference in Linden – 2007 – 1 digital print
2-61 MHSA 25th Anniversary, October 29, 2011, Received as accession 2019.013 but filed with 2002.020.