“An Old-Time Christmas at the Homestead” is the theme of the Christmas Season open house to be held by the Swiss Community Historical Society of Bluffton and Pandora at its historic 1843 Swiss Homestead, 8350 Bixel Road, on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 6 p.m. 

Christmas decorations of the 19th century will highlight the occasion, which will also feature live music and needlework in the parlor, hearth-cooking at the large kitchen fireplace, and candle-making in the basement of the recently-restored Schumacher House. 

There will be a Christmas gift shop on the upper floor of the House, and a Christmas story-time for children from 5 to 5:30 p.m. in the parlor. 

Light refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon, and costumed docents will be available to welcome visitors to the Schumacher House and interpret its restored features as desired.

Musical groups performing in the parlor will be:
  1:00 - 2:00  Dulcimer Group:  Alice Lora, Teri Sato, Betty Sommer and Joyce Hostetler
  2:00 - 2:30  Bob Poe Dulcimer
  2:30 - 3:00  Brandon Rhodes and Jackie Wyse-Rhodes
  3:00 - 4:00  Bluffton High School Fiddlers
  4:00 - 5:00  One in a Number; The Bluffton Women's Choir

Admission to the event is free, but there will be opportunity to support, by donation, the ongoing work of the Swiss Community Historical Society, and information about current restoration plans for outlying buildings on the farmstead will be available.