Summer Saturdays

Schedule a visit or stop in on June 3, July 1 and August 5

The Swiss Community Historical Society has announced that tours may be scheduled now through the fall of 2023. 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 19^th century. 

Visitors may tour the house, summer kitchen, workshop, and barn—which are filled with original and period items—as well as the garden. 

Plans are underway this summer to begin reconstruction of the Basinger barn as the new Heritage Center. Visitors may view, from a safe distance, the progress of that project.

In addition to scheduled tours, the Society will hold a series of Summer Saturday events on June 3, July 1, and August 5, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. On those days, visitors may participate in a hands-on activity such as writing with nib pens, sampling hearth cooking and investigating the kitchen garden’s vegetables and herbs.

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/.

Tours of the Homestead

Those interested in scheduling a tour should contact Susie Gratz at gratzds@roadrunner.com or call 419-358-4822 and leave a message.

SCHS transforming barn as Heritage Center

We bought a barn! On December 19, 2019, the Swiss Community Historical Society formally purchased an 1850s Swiss Settlement barn from Dan and Cindy Basinger. The building will be disassembled and moved to the Schumacher Homestead to be transformed into a Heritage Center with classroom space, artifact display, offices, and rest rooms.

Preparing to build a modern replacement for their farm, the Basingers hated to see the barn stripped for timbers or moved out of state. Their partnership with the historical society is a cornerstone in the capital campaign that will expand the Schumacher Homestead’s ability to host visits, as well as to provide modern conveniences year round.

Julie Stratton 419-302-0369
swisshistoricalcampaign@gmail.com
Swiss Community Historical Society
PO Box 5, Bluffton, OH 45817

The heated and air-conditioned facility will include a large event space, catering service room, office, classroom, and public restrooms. The facility will allow for longer visits during tours and events, and eliminate weather restrictions on scheduling.

With the help of individual, group, and corporate donors, we will create an important community resource for northwest Ohio. You may contact our capital campaign project manager for information packets or to schedule a meeting:

Please join in creating a wonderful new resource for our community by donating to the SCHS Barn Raising Capital Campaign.

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