Dedicated to the Preservation of the History
Of the
Mennonites of Essex and Kent counties
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When in the future your
children shall ask you’ What does this mean?’ you shall answer, ‘By the
strength of hand of the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of
slavery’ .
Joshua, 4 -6 Our
Collection
The Mennonites in Essex and Kent Counties have had a strong historical
awareness ever since their arrival in 1925. A joint history committee was
established by the Leamington United Mennonite Church and the North
Leamington United Mennonite Church in the early 1970s to preserve their
history. The committee published a picture book of the church family in 1984
and
became actively involved in organizing programs and preserving artifacts.
In the mid eighties, the members of the joint history committee felt a
need
to expand its horizons so that all Mennonites of the two counties would be
represented and therefore established the Essx Kent Mennonite Historical Association (EKMHA).
It became
incorporated May 1, 1987. and was license to issue tax receipts for
charitable donations. The Association is operated by a Board of Directors
comprised of thirteen individuals making it possible to
have representation from a number of churches.
The Board of Directors immediately started to plan for the establishment of
a permanent Archives and Heritage Centre. Those dreams were realized in
the spring of 1992, when the EKMHA entered into an agreement with the
Leamington
Mennonite Home and Apartments to purchase 950 square feet of space for
$80,000 on a life lease basis. The Heritage Centre was established on the
second floor of the Heritage Gardens Apartments at 31 Pickwick Drive in
Leamington.
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Today the Heritage Centre contains many artifacts which include
photographs,
documents, books, magazines, journals, and many personal and household
items. As well, the Centre contains a collection of videos, slide
presentations, and booklets that have been produced locally. It is staffed
by volunteers and is open on a half time basis except for the summer
months. In the past the
Canada Employment Centre has provided funding to employ a student for the
summer months to assist in research and archival work.
In addition to operating the Heritage Centre, the EKMHA has sponsored
programs, conducted bus tours, and hosted an annual fund raising dinner.
The
Historical Association maintains an active membership of about 150
individuals each year, representing most of the Mennonite churches in
Essex
and Kent. Memberships are available for ten dollars per person or twenty
dollars per couple on a yearly basis.
It is through the efforts of the many hard working volunteers and God's
guidance that the Association has gained a high level of visibility in its
role of preserving history in the local Mennonite Communities
Phone: 519 322 0456
Email:
ekmha@mnsi.net
Adress: 31 Pickwick Dr.
Leamington,ON
N8H
4T5
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