Hearth Cooking with Van Risser at the Swiss House

The Swiss Community Historical Society of Bluffton and Pandora will host its second Summer Saturday event at the Schumacher Homestead, 8350 Bixel Rd., on Saturday, July 1, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The special activity will feature Van Risser demonstrating and sharing some examples of hearth cooking.

During the early years Swiss Settlement cooks used a back fire and pulled hot coals forward under a cast iron pot. They learned to control their fire and plan what kind of heat was needed for different tasks—roasting, boiling, frying, stewing, heating water for washing, etc. A steady supply of firewood was essential and was probably logged, cut up, and carried into the house by the men and boys.

The public is invited to attend this event. Docents in period costumes will be on hand for guided tours of the air-conditioned house, as well as the summer kitchen, garden, workshop and barn. 

Private tours may be arranged for Mondays-Saturdays by contacting Susie Gratz at [email protected] or calling 419-358-4822 and leaving a message.

July 1, 2023
Schumacher House 8350 Bixel Road, Bluffton
1:00-4:00 p.m.

Admission is $5, free for those under age 17 and members.

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