This Monday, March 20th at 7 p.m., ‘Take the River’ – a film highlighting life on and around the Ohio River, including Switzerland County – can be enjoyed at the Hoosier Theater at 209 Ferry Street in Vevay.
The Switzerland County Historical Society is fortunate to be able to have its March program in the theater, so we can share this wonderful film with the general public. The one-hour historical documentary looks at events that helped shape the Southeastern Indiana area, from an ancient civilization 3,000 years ago to the communities along and near the Ohio River today.
Film shot in the Vevay area includes segments filmed at Musee de Venoge and at the Thiebaud Farmstead and also features stories of the Dufour family, the Schencks, George Ash, Louis Gex Oboussier and wine making at the early Swiss Colony.
The documentary also explores an ancient citadel, a Revolutionary War Battle, early pioneers and Native Americans, Underground Railroad, Morgan’s Civil War Raid, the steamboat era, the 1937 Flood and much more. It concentrates on the four-county area of Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland and Ripley counties.
Regional historians Mike Danner, Dan Back, Chris McHenry, and Roselynn McKittrick appear in the program, along with residents, including: Tom Ward, PG Gentrup and Tessie and Bobby Lischkge.
Featured in the filming at the Thiebaud Farmstead are a group of local re-enactors who have participated in several events at the site. Judy, Mary and Simon Terpening, Barry Brown, Zach Bladen, Sundra and Floyd Whitham, Danni Pennington, Noah Hughes and Macy Barwick portray life at the farmstead impacted by the hay industry.
A moment of frivolity is shown at Musee de Venoge with a scene that represents the connection between Henry Clay of Kentucky visiting his Swiss friends of New Switzerland to enjoy their wines. A bit of fiddle music by Michael Thompson and dancing with Donna Weaver reveal the lighthearted side of rural life.
Each of the counties included in ‘Take the River’ provided funding toward the making of the film. Thank you to Switzerland County Tourism, the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation and the Community Foundation of Switzerland County for their support.
Hope to see you at the Hoosier Theater for ‘Take the River’. Free and open to everyone.
– Martha Bladen