2025 Christmas Open House, December 6-7
The Bluffton-Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society will held its annual Christmas Open House at the Schumacher Homestead and Heritage Center on Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7. The nearly completed Heritage Center hosted some of the activities. Both the Heritage Center and farmhouse were decorated for the season. Costumed docents were on hand as visitors toured the house, summer kitchen and workshop. The Heritage Center displayed artifacts in the main room and a Christmas gift shop was set up in the vestibule.
THIS EVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE. STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE SCHUMACHER HOMESTEAD.
Visitors arriving at dusk will see the house lit by candles much as it would have been in 1843.
Guests may dip a candle in the farmhouse cellar. Musical entertainment can be heard in both the house and the Heritage Center with the following schedule:
| SATURDAY 2:00 One Voice (H) 3:00 Maple-Aires (HC) 4:00 Father Christmas (H) | SUNDAY 2:00 Riley Creek Strummers (H) 3:00 Bluffton H.S. Strings (H) 4:00 Father Christmas (H) 5:00 First Mennonite Brass (HC) |
(H) in the house
(HC) in the Heritage Center
A Christmas shop will be in the lobby of the Heritage Center and homemade treats will be available in the main room.
Keith Sommer will display tools related to ice harvesting, along with its storage and usage.
Children are invited to make a tree ornament in the new Discovery Room.
This event is free and open to the public, but donations will be gratefully accepted. The Schumacher Homestead is located at 8350 Bixel Road, approximately four miles from Bluffton.
2025 Bluffton Fall Festival at Schumacher Homestead
On Saturday, September 27 the Bluffton-Pandora Swiss Community Historical Society was part of the community-wide Bluffton Fall Festival. Thank you to all who participated as volunteers and as visitors!
SCHS transforming barn as Heritage Center
See the Swiss Community Historical Society Facebook page for ongoing progress reports and photos of Heritage Center Construction.
The Swiss Community Historical Society is nearing completion of a Heritage Center from the Bixel-Basinger Swiss Settlement barn previously located on the Dan and Cindy Basinger Farm. The repurposed barn is heated and air-conditioned and includes a large event space, classroom, artifact storage space, and public restrooms. The facility will allow for longer visits during tours and events, and eliminate weather restrictions on scheduling.
This project is made possible by individual, group, and corporate donors. Contact Capital Campaign Director Julie Stratton at 419-302-0369 or email swisshistoricalcampaign@gmail.com for information or to schedule a meeting.
Swiss Community Historical Society
PO Box 5, Bluffton, OH 45817
Tours of the Homestead
Tours may be scheduled throughout the year. The Schumacher Homestead offers a glimpse into the lives of Swiss immigrants in an area of Allen and Putnam counties known as the Settlement during the mid 19th century.
Visitors may tour the house, summer kitchen, workshop, and barn—which are filled with original and period items—as well as the garden.
In August 2023, reconstruction of the Bixel-Basinger barn began between the farmhouse and the bank barn. It will be the society’s new Heritage Center. Visitors may view, from a safe distance, the progress of that project.
Prices for Admission: $5 per adult, Free for children 16 and under.
Free for current members. Memberships are available for immediate purchase. $30 per household for one year.
Thank you to all of our members and donors for their support of the Swiss Community Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Memberships and donation payments can now be made by PayPal or check. Learn more: swisshistorical.org/join-us/.
Those interested in scheduling a tour should contact Susie Gratz at swisshistorical@gmail.com or call 419-358-4822 and leave a message.
SWISS COMMUNITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 