Month: September 2018

Rural Heritage Tour ~ and Barn Dance

We have stories to tell! Come visit awhile and wander the grounds of two welcoming sites in the countryside near Vevay, Indiana that reflect the rural nature of the area and its history. Meet some folks and hear their stories about the early life, music and trades of the French-Swiss settlers who made Switzerland County their home.


The Rural Heritage Tour will take place Saturday, October 6th from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, the 7th from noon to 5 pm at two National Historic Register sites ~ Musee de Venoge and the Thiebaud Farmstead.
Musee de Venoge at 4085 Hwy 129 is one of the few remaining examples of French colonial architecture once common in Switzerland County in the early 1800s. A big favorite at Venoge is the fresh pressed cider from local apples, hearthside cheese making, and baking pies and breads in the outdoor bake oven.
At the Thiebaud Farmstead at 5147 East State Road 56, an 1850s Greek Revival house restoration, the daily activities of hearth cooking, laundry and sewing are entertaining in contrast to today’s households. Furniture making, a working forge and an operating hay press barn are among the activities of the day.
Period music and dance lends merriment to the day at both sites. An added highlight this year is an old-fashioned Barn Dance at the Thiebaud barn on Saturday evening at 5:30 pm. Bring your dancin’ shoes!
Rural Heritage Tour 2018 is sponsored by the Switzerland County Historical Society and Musee de Venoge, made possible through the generous support of Switzerland County Tourism. No admission charge but donations are greatly appreciated.
For further information contact: www.switzcomuseums.org or www.venoge.org or call 812-427-3560 or 812-593-5726.

The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines – Traveling Exhibit

Now on display at the Switzerland County Historical Museum is a special traveling exhibit from the Indiana Historical Society’s titled “The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines”. The exhibit showcases Indiana’s contributions to the war effort and the war’s long-lasting effects.
With “The Great War” visitors will see how Hoosiers experienced the First World War in distinct ways. While those of German heritage faced discrimination, African Americans and women pointed to their wartime contributions years later while advocating for social and political rights.
The exhibit also explores the impact the war-time demand for steel, machinery and equipment had on Indiana’s towns and cities such as Indianapolis, South Bend and Gary. In addition, the traveling exhibit explores the roots of World War I, America’s entrance to the war, the evolution of warfare, the construction of the American Legion Building and the Indiana War Memorial, and more.
“The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines” is made possible by Kroger. The exhibit will at the Switzerland County Historical Museum until October 1st.
In coordination with the exhibit, the Sons in Service flag from WWI made by the Switzerland County Red Cross volunteers is on display, with 389 blue stars representing the number who served from our county and 27 gold stars for those who died while in the service. A framed portrait of Congressional Medal Honoree Major Samuel Woodfill is also part of the exhibit. His uniform is part of our “Veterans Remembered” permanent display.
Pictured below is 4 of the panels that are part of the display. 

 

Grant award from REMC

Thank you, Southeastern Indiana REMC! The Switzerland County Historical Society was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Operation Roundup Fund to be used at the Thiebaud Farmstead. We will be installing electric in the hay press barn, providing for lighting and outlets that will broaden the opportunities for educational and entertainment activities there.
Thank you also to the REMC customers that contribute to this fund by “rounding up” their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar amount. Your generosity provided $61,907 to be awarded to 33 recipients from 7 counties.
Geri Emmelman, SCHS secretary, and historical society director Martha Bladen accepted on behalf of the historical society at the awards ceremony in Osgood. Also present and awarded grants to organizations in Switzerland County was Peg Ehlers on behalf of the Purdue Extension and Cynthia Griffith on behalf of Switzerland County Elementary School.