Mennonite Heritage Museum — Attraction in Abbotsford

This morning I had the opportunity to meet briefly with friends in the restaurant area and look forward to visiting the museum section at a later date. This review is only for the restaurant area.

The GOOD: There is a lovely hostess who greeted me pleasantly and asked if I was joining friends. The cafeteria style venue is clean and fresh looking with plenty of space between tables. The wooden chairs are well built and look pretty comfortable although we were only standing today. Both temperature and lighting were very good with lots of natural light. I didn't have a chance to order anything today but my friends seemed to be enjoying their meals.

The NOT SO GOOD: Immediately upon entering the building, there is a strong smell of cooking onions. Even though my stay was less than 15 minutes, my hair, clothing and car interior now smell of onions and my eyes are burning. I recommend that you plan accordingly ... wait until AFTER your visit here to do your laundry and personal hygiene so you don't have to do...

Even if you are not Mennonite, you should check this place out. There’s plenty of free parking and it’s just off the Number One. They are only open from 10 to 3, and closed weekends, so plan ahead. Right in the door you are hit with the wonderful aroma of home cooked food. We had the borscht with sour cream and a bun. After we ate we checked out the quilts hanging in the foyer. So beautiful and often hand stitched. Deeper inside we found a very detailed explanation of the Mennonite movement and their stories of persecution and arrival in Canada. There are a couple of media rooms with a video of the museum and more testimonies. I found it highly informative. Out back is a typical Mennonite home from the old days. There are guides who will walk with you and help you understand what you are experiencing. We left feeling like we had made new friends. I highly recommend...

I had a wonderful stop at this small museum. The Docent, Peter, was kind, friendly, and very knowledgeable. I knew nothing about Mennonite history and if you have the time to read the exhibit, it is an interesting read. There's a typical Mennonite barn replica (combo house and barn) out back to experience too. I am not a Christian, nor am I even religious, and felt entirely welcome here. The cafe is only open from Tuesdays to Thursdays, so I missed out on all the baked goods and foods on offer. Worth a stop if you have curiosity and can read through an unguided exhibit (though Peter could probably walk through with you if you want a...