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NEWS: Travel Writers Visit Heritage Park

NEW SIGN ON I-80 INTERSTATE

A sign on Interstate 80 for the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park was always a dream since any kind of signage on I-80 is expensive and difficult to obtain. That dream became a reality this past month, thanks to the York County Visitor’s Bureau (YCVB).

“We are replacing all 13 of the York County signs and decided to add the Wessel’s Living History Farm and the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park on each of their exit signs. We are replacing about 2 to 3 signs a year,” said Bob Sautter YCVB Director.

Take a look at the York County sign that marks the upcoming Henderson exit on the west bound side of I-80. The sign was just replaced and includes at the bottom of the sign, “Heritage Mennonite Park”. The Henderson exit sign on the east bound side will look the same and be replaced soon according to Sautter.

Approximately 1400 people visited the Heritage Park in 2012 and with the new signage alerting tourists about the park, it is hoped that number will increase according to Marj Smith who serves on the Henderson Heritage & Tourism Executive Committee.

The HHT committee is looking into additional signage along the spur leading into Henderson that will help guide visitors to the park after exiting the Interstate. The park will officially open Memorial weekend and has expanded its weekly hours this year to Tuesday – Saturday from 1 to 4 PM. Appointments for other times may be scheduled by contacting Marj Smith at 402-723-5793 or LaVonne Thiessen at 402-723-4559.

Henderson Heritage & Tourism Awarded Friend of Henderson Award

Heritage Committee receiving Friends of Henderson Award

With no Chamber Banquet held for the 2012 year, the Friend of Henderson Award was presented at the Annual Chamber meeting last month. With privilege, the current Chamber President, Tim Carr presented the 2012 Friend of Henderson Award to the Henderson Heritage & Tourism Committee.

The Mennonite Heritage Park is a landmark and very special spot in Henderson and is a great asset to the community. This location would not be what it is and how it functions without the Henderson Heritage & Tourism Committee. With numerous events and lots of hard work, the committee has and continues to do great things for the community and this award is much deserved.

The committee and the Heritage Park had one of the busiest years in 2012 due to the Q125 Henderson celebration. In January, they hosted a Sunday afternoon Faspa that kicked off the Q125 year featuring Dr. Lauren Friesen as the keynote speaker. Other Q125 Events they hosted were the Quilt Show held at the park in April, the Shop Tour in June, a Syphon Tube Contest during Community Days, and a Country Christmas event in November at the park that was very successful. Their annual events were held as well including the pancake feed during Community Days and Heritage Day in September.

Around 1,400 people visited the park from 27 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and 3 foreign countries. The Country Mennonite Church was completed and a formal dedication was given for the entire park and the finished church on October 14 coinciding with Henderson’s 125th Birthday Party celebration. Planning is in progress for their next building project: a replica of the Henderson Railroad Depot. The committee maintained excellence through day to day routine upkeep, events, and projects.

Those from the committee who attended the Chamber Meeting to receive the Friend of Henderson Award were: Shannon Siebert (2010-2012 President), John Huebert (Current President), Adeline Huebert, Harvey & Marg Smith, LaVonne Thiessen, Alfred Epp, and Carl Siebert.

Thank you Henderson Heritage & Tourism Committee for all you do to make Henderson great.