Bluffton's past on display at The Black Lab Trading Co.
CLICK THE PRINTER-FRIENDLY ATTACHMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY FOR DETAILS ON HOW YOU MAY ASSIST THE HERITAGE CENTER.
Have you ever seen a cream separator - a true Bluffton original- or a Scott and Ewing engine, also made in Bluffton?
You can see those products and more in the window of The Black Lab Trading Co., 121 N. Main St. this month.
The Black Lab has partnered with the Bluffton Heritage Center Project to celebrate the sesquicentennial by displaying multiple historic items in their front window for the next month.
The two large pieces in the window are a blanket chest from 1857 that belonged to John Gratz, son of Fredrick and Anna (Lugibuhl) and a fanning mill from 1876 representing part of Bluffton's past agricultural heritage.
Both pieces have some intricate design elements and painting on them and are worth a closer look. The Scott and Ewing engine, circa 1910, is a one-horse power engine manufactured in Bluffton. The Sanitary Cream Separator was also manufactured here around 1905.
These items plus some quilts, pictures, and historic books, are also displayed. The Bluffton Heritage Center Project has many other Bluffton pieces and memorabilia in the planning stages of working toward a Bluffton heritage museum.
For more information about the Bluffton Heritage Center Project contact Charles Niswander, Ron Lora or Phil Kingsley.
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Travel opportunities update from Bluffton Senior Center
- Send July 2025 Community Calendar items to the Icon
- National Night Out is August 5, planning is in final stages
- Bluffton Senior Center activities schedule for July 2025
- Does your business have summer hours? Post them on the Icon
- Bluffton, Ohio ranks 4th in Ohio for bike network quality
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025
- Anna Marie Beagle taught at Allen East Elementary
- Noteworthy dress rehearsal and concert with potluck in Ada, June 23 and 29
- First Bluffton Art Walk provides a welcome outing on a rainy day
- Hardin County Commissioners send letter objecting to HB 335
- Duckie Cosplay underway at Bluffton Public Library
- Upcoming BPL events, June 23-28