The mission, vision, and programs of the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center (BMHC) are carried out by the Board of Directors, two staff persons, and a large team of dedicated volunteers. The Executive Director reports to the board of directors and coordinates with volunteers, overseeing the operation, maintenance, and development of the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center — its campus, artifacts, programs, and sustainability.
ELWOOD YODER
Interim Executive Director
Elwood previously served on the Heritage Center’s Board of Directors for two years and recently authored People of Peace: A History of the Virginia Mennonite Conference with co-author Steve Nolt. Elwood retired from Eastern Mennonite School in 2021 after 33 years teaching history and bible there. He is an EMU graduate from the class of 1981 and has been married to Joy Risser Yoder for over 46 years. Joy and Elwood have attended Zion Mennonite Church in Broadway, Va., for 36 years; they have three married adult children and six grandchildren.
Two events prompted him to accept the search committee’s invitation to this role: he was a member of the Heritage Festival & Open House planning committee, and he sat-in on one of our fall field trips. Both of these events gave him renewed energy and passion for BMHC’s Christ-centered ministry to children and families across our region.
JONATHAN BRUMBAUGH SCARR
Associate Director
Jonathan grew up in Elgin, Illinois attending Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren and receiving a thorough immersion into the church. He brings to his position a strong knowledge of Brethren history, theology, and polity.
Jonathan previously worked with the Brethren Historical Library and Archives on several projects, including the creation of a topical index of Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Minutes. His affinities for forms and spreadsheets exemplify his skills in organization and record-keeping. He graduated from Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania and continues to enjoy learning.
Jonathan finds the ongoing story of Anabaptism meaningful and inspirational, and he is excited to keep learning about and preserving this story through his work at BMHC. He lives in Rockingham County with his spouse, Jen, where they enjoy walking together in the woods and appreciating the natural beauty of the Shenandoah Valley.
HANNAH HENDRICKS
Events Manager
Hannah grew up in Broadway, Virginia, attending Eastern Mennonite School and Park View Mennonite Church. She has been a long-time volunteer at the Heritage Center, and first learned to give tours by assisting her grandmother as a guide when she was a child. She continued to volunteer at the Heritage Center as she grew up, and her responsibilities grew with her as she served as an events volunteer and, in the summer of 2025, as the Heritage Center’s curator. Hannah completed her undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington and returned to the Shenandoah Valley to put her skills to use as the events manager at the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center.
Hannah loves to read and learn, and is constantly challenging herself to dig a little deeper and understand a little more. She also has a great appreciation for the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and enjoys spending her free time out in the mountains, soaking it all in. Hannah has a lifelong love of history and is excited to continue learning about the history of the Shenandoah Valley and how her Mennonite heritage ties into it.
IRENE HERSHBERGER KNISS
President of the Board
Irene Kniss became President of the Heritage Center Board in 2022. She is the Director of Health Services at Eastern Mennonite University, and also operates Kniss & Spencer Legal Nurse Consulting. Born to Amish parents who joined the Mennonite Church when she was a child, Irene brings a rich Anabaptist background and a wealth of experience to her leadership of the Heritage Center’s Board of Directors.