My Father’s History Room

For as long as I can remember, my father has been a collector…a collector of family heirlooms…a collector of books…a collector of old farming tools…a collector of documents related to our Mennonite roots.  Throughout my childhood, his new acquisitions would be tucked away into a room that was overflowing and fit the definition of “cluttered” to the T.  As a child, I was always amazed at how my dad could enter that cluttered and disorganized room and retrieve the specific item he was looking for…usually within just a few minutes! 

When my parents moved off the farm and into their new home, my father actualized a dream of his.  He created a small museum in the basement that allowed him to display many of his most precious items.  With the aide of my sister, who he refers to as his museum curator, he put together a beautiful room that displays his finest items and features our family history, our farm history, and our Mennonite history. 

During my recent trip to Pennsylvania, my dad and I spent some time in his room to begin recording information about the pictures and items in a more organized way.  Currently, most of this important information is inside his head.  The time I spent with him in his museum deepened my appreciation for what my father has done with his life-long hobby.  He has collected a wide range of items, many of which are directly linked to my ancestors.  It truly is a priceless collection.  

Each of the picture frames in the picture below display images of my paternal and maternal ancestors.  The bench is from Metzler Mennonite Church and is the bench that was used by the preachers.  The wainscoting is also from Metzler Mennonite Church that my dad salvaged when the interior of the church was redecorated.  

Looking at an 1814 edition of the Martyr’s Mirror with two family bibles to the side. 

My grandfather’s study chair.  Grandpa Sauder was a minister and bishop in the Mennonite church.  Countless sermons were composed while he sat in this chair.  The chair is sitting beside an old Sunday School table from Metzler Mennonite Church.  These were  the tables used in the Sunday School rooms when my parents were children and when I was a child. 

 

 

The matching sweaters that my parents wore when they were dating. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three items that were made by my great-great grandmother.  The man pictured is my great-grandfather, son of the woman who made the items and my Grandmother Sauder’s father. 

   

This is just a very small sampling of what my dad has collected over his lifetime.  If you have the opportunity to visit, you most definitely should.  The museum has free admission :)