From the Director

2023 Events

Looking Ahead to 2023 Events

General Meeting ~ March 20 @ 7pm at the Switzerland County Public Library, program by Bob Woodfill on the technological changes in black powder rifles from 1790-1875 in Indiana.

Hay Days ~ May 20 & 21 at the Thiebaud Farmstead. Saturday 10-4  Sunday noon-4.  Country living c. 1860, when local farmers were reaping the benefits of the hay press that was patented in the county in 1843. Hay press demos, trades of the time, hearth cooking, music & dance.

Back to Basics Day Camp at Thiebaud Farmstead
June 19 – 23 (Monday – Friday) Hands-on adventures for eight to ten-year-olds. Must pre register.

Archaeology Day ~ Saturday, September 16 from 11-4 at the museum. An
archaeologist and geologist will be on-hand to identify artifacts visitors bring, one-on-one. Demonstrations and activities are being planned and scheduled.

All Hallows Eve ~ October 21 from 5-8 pm. At the museum and grounds, where legends of the past abound! There will be storytelling, the lore of body snatchers, a phrenologist to read your cranium, fortune telling, a witches’ dance, along with crafts, games and tasty treats.

A Country Christmas ~ December 9 from 10-4.Truly a special day at the Thiebaud Farmstead and Musee de Venoge, where Christmases of the past are warmly celebrated.

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead in 2022

Conservators' Holiday -- May 16 - 20

Join us for our volunteer week, when members gather to work on various maintenance and creative endeavors at all 3 of our sites. A pitch-in dinner and a field trip to a regional historic site are also part of the week.

Hay Days -- May 21 & 22

Join us at the Thiebaud Farmstead on Saturday from 10 until 4, or Sunday from noon until 4 for a glimpse in country living c. 1860.  Hay press, trade, and hearth cooking demonstrations, along with music and dance throughout the day.

State Historic Marker Dedication -- May 21 - Time TBA

Marker dedication in conjunction with Hay Days on Saturday, May 21.

Back to Basics Day Camp -- June 13 - 17

Morning and afternoon sessions at the Thiebaud Farmstead for 8 to 10 year olds include period crafts, old fashioned games, hearth cooking, map and hiking skills.  Registration required, and begins May 1.  Cost is $25/child.

International Museums Weekend - Ham Radio Event -- June 18 & 19

Ham radio set up at the museum, 8 - 4.

Archaeology Day -- September 17

Join an archaeologist and geologist at the Thiebaud Farmstead to have your artifacts identified.  Other activities and demonstrations are being planned.

All Hallows Eve -- October 22

Visit the Thiebaud Farmstead between 5 and 8 for the legends, storytelling, witches dance, crafts, and treats in an a family friendly event.  Start your evening at Musee de Venoge from 1 - 5.

A Country Christmas -- December 10

Christmases of the past are celebrated from 10 until 4 at the Thiebaud Farmstead and Musee de Venoge.

 

While all events, with the exception of the Back to Basics Day Camp, are free, your donations are appreciated.

Hay Days – June 12 and 13, 2021

Hay Days 2021 flyer

From Vevey to Vevay, Frederick and Harriet Thiebaud emigrated from the Canton of Neuchatel in Switzerland with their family of eight children in March of 1817. Frederick’s belief that land was the greatest inheritance he could leave his children drew him to Vevay, Indiana, named for Vevey, Switzerland, the place he had heard so much about from the early Swiss settlers.
And so begins the story of the Thiebaud Farmstead that will be celebrating Hay Days on June 12th and 13th. Justi Thiebaud, the youngest son of Frederick and Harriet, assumed control of his father’s farm at a time ripe for prosperity. The science and technology of American agriculture was expanding. Justi was an active participant in southeast Indiana’s hay culture that was bolstered by Samuel Hewitt’s hay press improvement known as the Mormon Beater Hay Press that was patented in 1843 in Switzerland County, Indiana. A hay press was built on the Thiebaud Farmstead c. 1850. The prosperity afforded by the increased production and marketing of hay allowed for Justi and his wife Mary Banta to build a new house c. 1860 for their family of ten children.
The restoration of their Greek Revival frame house and a hay press barn provides the setting for the Thiebaud Farmstead’s Hay Days. Reenactors will bring the site to life with mid-19th century activities. Hay press demonstrations will be at 1:00 pm both days, led by Broadus Thompson and assisted by Angus Thompson, who have been baling hay annually at our events since the restored press went into action in 2016. Blacksmithing is Broadus’ trade at Colonial Williamsburg, and he will be taking a break from his work there to participate.
The Thiebaud house will be bustling with period activities. Sundra Whitham and Melodee Stepleton will be in the east parlor using Mary Thiebaud’s spinning wheel and an 1850s sewing machine. The west parlor will be setup for weaving with fiber artist and weaver Teresa Beck. Fashion historian and seamstress Brenda Rice will be working with Teresa as they demonstrate traditional weaving techniques and give visitors an opportunity for some hands-on weaving.
Delicious aromas will be wafting from the kitchen where Geri Emmelman will be demonstrating the art of hearth cooking while preparing dinner for all the reenactors.
Sydney Dieterlen will be demonstrating the art of mid-19th century correspondence. Kirk Womack, Jr. will be portraying a traveling clock repairer of the mid-1850s, and talk about the American clock industry in the mid-19th century.
The Forget-Me-Not Historic Dancers will be livening up the breezeway porch accompanied by the West of Dublin trio. Storyteller flatboat-man Dan Bixler will be engaging guests with his tall tales. A small encampment of the Vernon Greys will give insights into the Civil War that was happening.
Numerous other activities of the time and tours of the site will be ongoing. Join us on Saturday, June 12th from 10 am to 4 pm or Sunday, June 13th from 12 to 4 pm. Free admission with donations greatly appreciated. 5147 E. State Hwy 56, three miles west of Vevay. For further information call 812-427-3560.

2021 Schedule of Events

2021 Tentative Event Schedule

Our Director and Board of Directors has compiled a tentative event schedule for 2021.  Obviously, with the ongoing Covid related issues, this is subject to change.  Make sure to check this periodically, as well as our Facebook page, for any cancellations or additions to this schedule

  • May 1 - at the Thiebaud hay press barn - "Attracting Pollinators to the Veggie Garden" with Kirsten Carlson
  • May 17 -  21 - at the Museums and the Thiebaud Farmstead - Conservators' Holiday
  • May 24 - at the Historical Museum - Wedding Dress display
  • June 12 - 13 - at the Thiebaud Farmstead - Hay Days (formerly the Rural Heritage Tour held in the Fall)
  • June 26 - at the Historical Museum - Opening of the Burley Collection
  • August (?) - TBD - Tomato tasting
  • September 11 - at the Thiebaud Farmstead - Archaeology Day
  • October 22 - 23 - at the Thiebaud Farmstead - All Hallows Eve
  • November 15 - TBD - Annual Meeting and pitch in dinner
  • December 11 - at the Thiebaud Farmstead - A Country Christmas

Happy Ending

 

Opportunity knocked and the Switzerland County Historical Society answered!

Via email, we became aware of a grant to assist not-for-profit organizations who provide public humanities programming and were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 situation, so we applied. Weeks passed and then we received the hoped for response.

“I’m writing with the good news that Indiana Humanities is awarding you an Indiana Humanities CARES Grant. The application pool was incredibly competitive, and we were able to fund only about 40 percent of the requests. We had to make difficult decisions and weren’t able to fund many deserving organizations—so the fact that you received a grant is a testament to the good work that you do in your community. Congratulations!”

Awards range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the organization's budget. Organizations in the 6th Congressional District will receive a total of $87,500. The Switzerland County Historical Society will be receiving $5,000!

 “The CARES Act includes provisions to help small businesses and Hoosiers in many industries, including those employed by public humanities such as cultural sites, libraries, and museums. The funds appropriated for Indiana Humanities CARES Grants will help support these programs through this difficult time,” said Senator Mike Braun.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) provided the funding to Indiana Humanities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan appropriated by the U.S. Congress. More than $500,000 in funding relief was provided to Indiana humanities organizations through CARES Grants.

“We are pleased to have awarded grants to groups large and small, carrying out a variety of programming, in each congressional district and in 48 of our 92 counties,” said Doran Moreland, Indiana Humanities board chair. “Because of the immense need we had to turn down many organizations that are doing good work, including some of our close partners. The grant committees put great care into the review, weighing a number of factors such as public humanities focus, need, audiences served, and geography.”

“These CARES grants will help meet immediate needs at cultural institutions around the state, allowing Indiana museums, archives, libraries and historical societies to maintain vital operations,” said NEH Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. “Thank you to Indiana Humanities for their swift and judicious distribution of CARES Act funding to the many humanities organizations suffering financial distress during the pandemic.”

In a previous column we shared the financial predicament we were facing due to the impending loss of $5,000 in county funds as the County Council was faced with striving to manage on a tragically reduced income due to Belterra currently being closed. We were also losing donations by not being able to have the museums open and the need to cancel income producing events.

As museum director I wrote, “Challenging times. How we respond becomes part of our history. Help make this story have a happy ending.”

We have an amazing community. From online donations, checks in the mail and cash, we have received $2,705. THANK YOU to each and every participant in this story! You have definitely provided a happy ending, even though the story isn’t over yet.

Challenging Times

The Switzerland County Historical Society has a weekly column in the Vevay Newspapers. I wanted to share this one to give you a perspective on our current situation and plans for moving ahead. Thank you for being a follower of our Facebook page. We love sharing our local history.

April 2020. Zero visitors to the Switzerland County Historical Museum and “Life on the Ohio” River History Museum. April 2019. Our museums had visitors from: Eldorado, AK; San Diego, CA; Chicago, IL; Bloomington, Elletsville, Florence, Indianapolis, LaPorte, Madison, Milan, Patriot, Rossville, Vernon, Vevay, and Vincennes in IN; Arma, KS; Carrollton, Florence, LaGrange, Louisville, Park Hills, and Warsaw in KY; Morgan City, LA; Knob Noster, MO; Blanchester, Cincinnati, Dayton, Lebanon, Logan, Loveland, Mason, Milford, New London, Orrville, and West Chester in OH; Townsend, MA; and Farmington, UT.
Then there was the “Coverlets, Quilts & Samplers, Oh My! textile exhibit that opened April 27th and ended in May that brought visitors from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Oh, my!

No visitors means no donations. We also lost our support funding of $5,000 from the County Council as they strive to manage on a tragically reduced income.

It’s so quiet at the museums now, aside from the Cincinnati Time Recorder wall clock ticking away. We are closed to the public because of the Covid-19 situation, but April had several grant deadlines that had to be met, so work proceeded. We’re hoping to bring you good news on those at another time.

Our spring into summer schedule of events has been cancelled. No “Hay Days” the second weekend in June at the Thiebaud Farmstead or “Back to Basics” Day Camp.

Our 13th annual “Conservators’ Holiday” scheduled for May, where we devote a week to education on conservation and preservation and putting that knowledge to work is being restructured. Besides working on projects at the Thiebaud Farmstead and the museums, we would make an excursion to a historic site and plan in plenty of time for dining and camaraderie. Instead of concentrating our work into a single week, the museum will outline projects that individuals or just a few can work on together, spaced throughout the summer.

No Sophomore Leadership volunteer day in May at the Thiebaud Farmstead, when 20 energetic students accomplished an extraordinary amount of work. The weeding, house cleaning, maintenance, and woodland management projects will be left to historical society members to work on throughout the summer.

Yet the work will be accomplished, somehow. We are seeking volunteers. You can help! We will have masks and gloves for all volunteers and will follow social distancing standards. Give us a call at 812-427-3560 (may have to leave a message) or email us at swcomuseums@embarqmail.com and we’ll get in touch with you.

Our museums will reopen June 13th, daily from noon to 4pm! The Thiebaud Farmstead will be open on Sunday afternoons starting June 14th from 1 to 4 pm. This won’t be like our events with lots of re-enactors and demonstrations. Volunteers will be there to greet you and give you a personal tour.

We are planning a 50th anniversary event later in the summer at the Historical Museum, commemorating when the historical society moved into its present location. Details to follow.

Challenging times. How we respond becomes part of our history. Help make this story have a happy ending.
Martha Bladen
Director

2020 Event Schedule

he following events have been scheduled for 2020:

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, our schedule is changing.  The schedule will be updated here and our Facebook page.

Conservator's Holiday - May 18 - 22
Hay Days - June 13 & 14
Back to Basics Day Camp - June 15 - 19
The museums will reopen on June 13 (noon until 4 daily)
Thiebaud Farmstead - open on Sundays from 1 until 4 beginning June 14 through September
All Hallow's Eve - October 23 & 24
A Country Christmas - December 12
General Meetings: March 16 (cancelled) May 18 (cancelled), September 21, November 16

This is subject to change with the current coronavirus situation. Other events may be added as well. Please check back.

A Country Christmas

Celebrate the holiday season with “A Country Christmas” visit to the Thiebaud Farmstead and Musee de Venoge in beautiful Switzerland County, Indiana on Saturday, December 14th from 10am to 4pm.

Hearken back to the early and mid-19th century as you enjoy the Christmas holiday as it could have been celebrated on the rural farms in southern Indiana. Enjoy a simple country Christmas at 1820’s Venoge and experience the beginnings of our modern Christmas celebrations at the 1860’s Thiebaud farmstead. At Venoge you can sample traditional Swiss Christmas cookies, including the very special Springerle cookies, made with wooden molds. Sample doughnuts and fritters made on the hearth and enjoy other period holiday treats. Listen to music of the period played by Michael Thompson and play a few indoor games. Musee de Venoge is one of the few remaining examples of the French colonial architecture that once characterized the first settlement of Switzerland County. Visit the new shop area in the recreated barn for stocking stuffers. The Thiebaud home will be welcoming Christmas with later traditions such as a decorated tree and holiday crafts, as well as small dramatizations of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and other tales. Join the Thiebaud’s in the family parlor for holiday treats and spiced cider while enjoying Christmas tunes played by West of Dublin. A few holiday gift items will be offered for sale.

Free admission, donations always appreciated.

The Thiebaud Farmstead is located at 5147 East State Road 56, which is about three miles west of Vevay. Musee de Venoge is located at 4085 State Route 129, which is one mile up 129 off of SR 56.

For further information about the two sites, visit www.switzcomuseums.org or call 812-427-3560 and www.venoge.org or call 812-593-5726.

All Hallows Eve – Oct 18 & 19

All Hallows Eve is coming! Mystery paired with history on October 18th and 19th from 6 to 9 pm at the Thiebaud Farmstead! Experience old-fashioned Halloween fun with scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns, ghosties and games, crafts and tasty treats, engaging storytellers and characters.

A “Museum of Oddities” & “Cabinet of Curiosities” will have you wondering. The phrenologist will welcome visitors to have their head examined before proceeding with measurements and offering insights into their character, all in good fun. A body-snatcher aka resurrectionist may cause a bit of a fright as their historically based trade is revealed.

The Switzerland County Wolfshager Witches will be dancing around the cauldron and there will be storytelling by the campfire sure to mesmerize listeners.  Add a few more interesting characters for an evening of fun with just the right amount of fright.

Some of our crafty and creative historical society members are making Halloween and fall wreaths that will be offered for sale and by silent auction.

All Hallows Eve is a fundraiser for the care and maintenance of the Thiebaud Farmstead. Admission is $3 per person or $10 for a group of five. Come enjoy this 200+ year old National Historic Register site with the 160 year old house, still entertaining guests after all these years.