Heritage Village

About the business:

From the 1884 Mennonite Homestead to the Prairie Interpretive Center, twenty buildings preserve our rich Mennonite and Lutheran heritage. Join us for a festival of ethnic food, fun, and entertainment every second Saturday in September. Open afternoons 1:00-5:00 p.m. May 15-Sept 15.

Heritage Village, on the southwest edge of Mtn. Lake, near the intersection of County Road #1 and MN Hwy 60, was established in 1972 to remember and celebrate the Russian-Mennonite and German-Lutheran immigrants that were early settlers in the area. Visitors stroll through 21 buildings filled with displays depicting pioneer life. Many of the buildings were built in the 19th century and have been lovingly preserved and restored.

While each structure plays a part in telling the story of our 19th century founders, three stand out as truly one-of-a-kind, must-see buildings.

The Gerhard Dick family home and attached barn was built in the traditional European style over 125 years ago. Few of these structures remain in Minnesota. Behind the home sits an unattached summer kitchen. Cooking was done here on hot summer days in an attempt to keep the house cool.

Also unique is the granary. Often the first building constructed on a farm, the granary stored the harvest upstairs while the family lived downstairs. When enough money had been saved a home was constructed. The Heritage Village granary exhibit recalls the early dual purpose of this building.

Heritage Village is also home of the Minnesota Hall of Fame Telephone Museum; the only one of its kind in the state. It offers a rare look at the progress of the telegraph and telephone through the history of local telecommunications.

The Village is also home to a depot, chapel, barn, farmhouse, general store, barber shop, school house, hospital, bank, furniture store, post office and a large machine shed. A gift shop, with a wide assortment of items, is located in the Buhler Visitors’ Center.

During Utschtallung (Heritage Fair) held the second Sat. of Sept. costumed tour guides discuss the history of each building and its exhibits.

Utschtallung (Heritage Fair) will be held Sat. Sept. 10, 2016.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Free Admission