1:00 p.m., August 1
Schumacher Homestead, 8350 Bixel Road, Bluffton

The Swiss Community Historical Society of Bluffton and Pandora will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, August 1 at the Schumacher Homestead, marking the start of a project to repurpose and reconstruct a 100+ year old barn into a Heritage Center. The local barn was deconstructed a year ago and will be transformed into a facility used to house historical society collections and provide restrooms, storage and meeting space.

The Heritage Center will expand the Society’s goal of preserving the history of the Swiss Settlement as well as continuing to educate and inspire the children of the region, many of whom are descendants of those Swiss settlers.  

The Schumacher Homestead is a restored 1840s farmhouse built and occupied by two generations of Schumachers. The second generation raised 16 children in the four-bed room, two-story post and beam constructed house. The Homestead features the house, a summer kitchen, workshop,  garden, and early bank barn. 

Tours are available by appointment; contact Susie Gratz at [email protected] or call 419-358-4822 and leave a message.

For more information on the Schumacher Homestead, visit www.swisshistorical.org/