The Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, invites the public to hear about one of the most fascinating episodes in the five-century Mennonite story on Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. James Juhnke, retired professor at Bethel College, Kansas, will give an illustrated presentation on “The Russian Mennonite Great Trek to Central Asia 1880-84”.

In the 1870’s, while thousands of home-seeking Russian Mennonites were crossing the Atlantic (many landing in Philadelphia), a minority headed in the opposite direction.  The apocalyptic, family-dividing vision of a minister named Claus Epp had led them to expect meeting the returning Christ in the East.  When their dream stalled in Central Asia, American Mennonites contributed funds to rescue them from the failed hegira.  Once re-settled in America, some of the pilgrims remained so chagrined by their pilgrimage that they would not discuss it with their own descendants.

        The history of this misadventure stayed murky for a century, until Professor James Juhnke, carefully researched its basis. Now there is fresh clarity, made possible by a recent tour of the Uzbekistan sites in the eastward venture. Dr. Juhnke found that the Mennonites who wound up in Central Asia are actually remembered not with scorn but friendly appreciation by their Muslim neighbors!  Their craft skills and even their beliefs are honored. 

        The program is free of charge – donations to support this Mennonite Heritage Center program will be accepted.

The Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, invites the public to a program on “Figured and Fancy Coverlets and their Weavers” on Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. Ron Walter has extensively researched and documented local weavers, their weaving equipment and the woven coverlets and will share his expertise in this illustrated presentation.  These beautiful patterned coverlets were woven in southeastern Pennsylvania from about 1830 to 1860 by local professional weavers from cotton and wool. Cherished by their owners, many were carefully passed down from generation to generation. Those in existence today show the skill and creativity of their makers. The program is in conjunction with “The Weaver’s Trade” exhibit currently on display at the Mennonite Heritage Center that features early coverlets and a recreation of the weaver’s shop with its large floor loom, spooling rack and other weaving equipment. The program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.  Admission is by donation.