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
Monday, October 19, 2026
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
- Production offers a modern take on the story of St. Clare of Assisi
- Bluffton volleyball edged in 5 by Van Buren
- Pirate girls soccer tie O-G
- Bluffton Council recap: Officers honored for 25 years of service
- Bluffton Clean Up teams up with Troop 3256 Cub Scouts
- Ada FFA: Feeding the Farmers
- Nov. 7 Fall Community Day at Bluffton University
- Quarry Farm Nature Preserve news for Fall 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026
- DeWine announces $200M Rural Health Transformation program award
- Herb program with Marge Lafollette, Oct. 15
- Prairie seeding activity at Bluffton University, October 24
- Food for thought: Choline for the brain
- Results for 5K on October 2, Bluffton University Homecoming event
- 15 minutes with Sherry Miller, senior center activities coordinator