Take a break from life as you know it and come visit three sites that honor Switzerland County’s rural past this weekend.
The ‘Rural Heritage Tour’ will take place this Saturday, September 27th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and this Sunday, September 28th from noon until 5 p.m. in the countryside of Switzerland County.
Experience the early life, music and trades of the French-Swiss settlers who made Switzerland County, Indiana their home at Musee de Venoge and the Thiebaud Farmstead. Also visit the Romans’ Family Farm where the bounty of fresh produce for “Eating Seasonally CSA” (Community Supported Agriculture) is grown.
– Musee de Venoge is located at 165 State Road 129, and is one of the few remaining examples of French colonial architecture once common in Switzerland County in the early 1800s.
At Musee de Venoge, a wide variety of events and displays are sure to interest visitors of all ages.
“Venoge will be having apple cider pressing,” Donna Weaver of Venoge said. “We have a fellow coming who has a large apple cider press, so we’ll be doing that. We’ll also have a stronger militia force this time. We’re going to have a canon and they are going to be practicing the drill that they have to do to fire the cannon.”
Along with those events, there will be cooking in the home and also in the outside oven; and there will be an activity involving the graining of boxes.
– At the Thiebaud Farmstead is located at 5147 East State Road 56, and is an 1850s Greek Revival house restoration.
At the Farmstead Museum, Martha Bladen and other coordinators of the weekend are busy planning a wedding.
The wedding will feature bride Emily Thiebaud marrying groom John Malcomson. It’s a very fitting event for the Rural Heritage Tour – because the weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the couple being married on the farm.
Visitors on Saturday, September 27th will get to see all of the preparations for the upcoming wedding, including the bride with her sisters and friends trying on the dress and getting ready; and other preparations going on around the property in preparation for the wedding, which will take place on Sunday, September 28th, at 2 p.m.
“We also have a Civil War encampment. They’re called the ‘Vernon Grays’,” Martha Bladen said. “They’re from North Vernon. They’ll have tents and other things that soldiers would have carried at that time. They are a really interesting group.”
– Also a part of this year’s Rural Heritage Tour is an opportunity to see some traditional family gardening.
The Romans’ Family Farm at 6174 Pendleton Run Road gives a real insight into coordinating a long growing season to provide a wide array of vegetables and other fresh produce. Visitors will see amazing gardens.
Rhashell Romans reports that the Romans family is busy preparing for many visitors for the Rural Heritage Tour, with many of the activities involving typical fall activities.
They are gathering winter squash, drying herbs, planting garlic, and harvesting sweet potatoes.
She reports that the family may even cook up a batch of pear butter for the Rural Heritage Tour.
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From period music to heirloom gardening to the clothing and trades of the past, the Rural Heritage Tour awaits you. Admission is free, donations appreciated. For further information visit www.switzcomuseums.org or www.venoge.org or call (812) 427-3560 or (812) 593-5726.