The Swiss Community Historical Society will hold the final summer open house of 2022 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. The Schumacher Homestead, which includes the three-bay 1843 Schumacher house, is located at 8350 Bixel Road between Bluffton and Pandora.

One of the special features of the "Swiss Haus" is the kitchen garden, which includes an herb garden. Becki Ahmed, an herb student and teacher extraordinaire, will be a special attraction on August 6. She will share facts on the use of herbs, identifying herbs and how to dry them for cooking, as well as using them in decorating or for medicinal reasons. There will be a tour of the herb garden and chances to pick and bundle some herbs, too.

As usual, visitors may explore the restored house as well as the summer kitchen, workshop and barn. Docents will be on hand to share stories about the early residents and information about the artifacts in and around the property.

Visitors may also schedule tours of the homestead into the fall. Susie Gratz, tour coordinator, will plan tours of any size from Monday to Saturday, 9-5 pm, and Sundays, 1-5. Call 419-358-4822 to leave a message or email: [email protected].

Additional information about the historical society and programs may be found at www.swisshistorical.org and at https://www.facebook.com/SwissCommunityHistoricalSociety