Author: SCHS webmaster

July 11 activities and tours at the homestead

~ SCHS webmaster

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Well, there weren’t any lions or tigers but there probably were bears (and definitely wolves) when the Swiss settlers began to arrive in the Bluffton/Pandora area. 

Join us on Saturday, July 11, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Schumacher Homestead and Swiss Heritage Center, 8350 Bixel Road, for a look at the critters that our Swiss ancestors had to deal with when they began to build “The Settlement.”  

The Johnny Appleseed Park District, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Hancock Park District will have displays of furs, taxidermy and possibly some live creatures to show what lived here. The theme of the day is “Critters, Flitters, and Gallinippers,” but you’ll have to come to the event to learn what a Gallinipper is. 

Tours of the 1843 Schumacher house, garden, tool house and summer kitchen will be available starting at the house. Admission is $5.00 for visitors sixteen and older; members and children are free.

A new translation of P.B. Amstutz’s history of the Settlement with additional information by Fred Steiner will be available for purchase and for pickup if you pre-ordered.

UP NEXT
On August 8, the 2nd Saturday activities will focus on “putting food by.” Guests can help docents get food ready for winter.

Swiss Day to be held at the homestead on June 28

~ SCHS webmaster

The Swiss Community Historical Society is excited to host its annual Swiss Day at the Swiss Heritage Center on Sunday, June 28. This is the first time Swiss Day will be held at the new center at the homestead. The event is for historical society members and non-members with an interest in the history of early Bluffton and Pandora. 

Participants are asked to bring a hot and cold dish and their own tableware, gather at 12:30 p.m. and plan to eat at 1:00 p.m. 

The day will include the Swiss Society’s annual business meeting and the election of officers, including a new interim President, Chuck Niswander.

The event will also launch an expanded version of the P.B. Amstutz book “Historical Events of the Mennoite Settlement in Allen and Putnam Counties” by Fred Steiner, who will be in attendance.

1st Spring SCHS Meeting in new Swiss Heritage Center

~ SCHS webmaster

By Kaye Phillips on Facebook

April 19 was a momentous day for the Swiss Historical Society of Bluffton and Pandora, Ohio.

We had our first Spring Meeting in our new Heritage Center that featured Fred Steiner previewing his book, “Our Swiss Story”. Eighty-eight people gathered to listen to Fred’s presentation. Thanks to Ray Rayburn, a video of the program is available on YouTube CLICK HERE. Eleven people/persons from around the country watched our event live from their homes.

We also enjoyed the company of those who attended, while sitting around the tables and enjoying pie baked by Joyce Schumacher, Marcia Lugibihl, Chrissy Lugibihl and Sue Habeggar. We even used vintage china while sipping hot beverages. It was a day to remember!

A silent pie auction of hickory and walnut pies made with Dr. Ollie Lugibihl’s famous recipe ended our time together. All proceeds went to furnishing the new Children’s Discovery Room in our center.

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible.

Scenic Stops & Stories at Schumacher Homestead

~ SCHS webmaster

On October 23, 2025, WBGU-PBS premiered an episode of Scenic Stops & Stories featuring the Schumacher Homestead, 8350 Bixel Rd. The production took place during a Second Saturday event and includes interviews with board member Jason Althaus and docent Van Risser. The next event at the homestead will be the Christmas Open House on December 6-7.

Althaus provides an overview of the development of the historic site, including the new Heritage Center, which is a repurposed timber frame barn from a nearby farm. Risser demonstrates how the Schumacher family would have cooked using the fireplace in the summer kitchen. Using homegrown produce, he makes a one-pot stew or “Eintopf.”

The episode is titled “Amusement, Art and Family” and runs about 25 minutes. Additional subjects focus on northwest Ohio and include Sandusky’s Merry-Go-Round Museum, the Cedar Point Historical Museum, the Wood County Fair, Firefly Nights in Bowling Green and the Black Swamp Arts Festival.

The program is available to stream live at wbgu.org and WBGU’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/q2qrt8a9DC0/ The segment on the homestead begins at about the 20 minute mark.