The Swiss Community Historical Society has repurposed this Christmas card originally sent by George Bixel as the invitation to the 2021 Christmas Open House at the Schumacher Homestead.

Posted on Facebook: "The Bluffton/Pandora Swiss Historical Society is pleased to announce the return of the traditional Christmas Open House at the Schumacher Homestead (8350 Bixel Road, Bluffton). This year’s event will be expanded to two days, December 4 and 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., allowing for viewing the house both by daylight and candle light. Visitors can tour the decorated house, make a dipped candle, shop in the Christmas shop and enjoy refreshments around the fire in the back yard. Costumed docents will be available to tell the story of the farmhouse built by Swiss settlers in 1843. The Schumacher family lived in the house for several generations and the second generation, Peter and Elizabeth, raised 16 children there. The house is furnished in period style with artifacts from the Schumacher family and other items authentic to “The Settlement,” the area between Bluffton and Pandora where Swiss emigrants settled as neighbors.

In order to protect both visitors and volunteers, attendees are asked to wear masks. Masks will be available for anyone needing one. Refreshments will be served outside by a fire and the house will periodically be ventilated. Everyone is encouraged to dress for the weather."