CONSTRUCTION
AHEAD 
Sawmill Project
A
high priority of the original Swiss Heritage Board in 1985 was to
secure suitable acreage for an outdoor museum. In this regard, the
trustees participated in formulating site selection criteria by
traveling to many established historical attractions. They also
consulted with several foundations experienced in supporting historical
parks. The very active participants and first board consisted of Ked
Graber, Floyd Liechty, Gloria Muselman, Claren Neuenschwander, Ruth
Neuenschwander, Chris Yoder, Bob Willey, and president, Madelyn
Wurster.
The gift of about eight
acres of land as well as an additional land purchase option was the
beginning of the present day site. Adjacent land owners, Waldo Liechty
and his sister Helena Mae Ellenberger, then made available about 12
more acres at a very reasonable price. The purchase of the land where
the gift shop and office is located was later purchased, making the
present day village approximately 26 acres.
One project that
is
in reconstruction at this time is the Ervin Werling Sawmill. The
sawmill itself has been moved to the Village, from its home near Tocsin.
If fact, very good news
has just been received in the amount of a $5,000 matching gift offer,
if contributors will match an additional $5,000.
Fred Lehman, one of the
village officials spearheading the project, had noted that
approximately $10,000 was still needed to transfer the sawmill to the
village. "Mr. Werling has very generously offered to donate the sawmill
and surrounding buildings to the village. However, the process of
transferring the complex to the village is very intricate and
detailed," Lehman said.
"It needs to be dismantled
practically
piece by piece, labeled, and carefully moved in such a way that it can
be reassembled without damage in an authentic way," continued Lehman. "
Due to volunteer assistance, the
cost of moving the sawmill has been reduced from $25,000 to
approximately $17,000."
Since the village had
already raised $6,000 toward the project, Lehman said that
approximately $10,000 was still needed to undertake the moving.
"The matching grant
would
come close to taking care of all of this," said Village Executive
Director, Gretchen Lehman. "This is exciting to us. I know that Fred
and those working on this are really excited."
Lehman said that Dr. Richard Yoder
had
cut down an oak tree from his farm to be donated toward the project. In
addition, George Steiner has equipment and a volunteer group of workers
who will make shingles from the tree for the building.
Lehman had said all
along
that it was the goal of village officials to have the sawmill in
operation for Swiss Days and the Heritage Festival.
According to Werling,
the sawmill was last used 10 years ago.
"We're not using it
anymore and it's just sitting there," Werling had said in a previous
interview with the Swiss Heritage Society Messenger. "I figure that it
might as well get some use somewhere. I would be happy to see it being
used in the Swiss Heritage Village.
"That sawmill was my
dad's life, "Werling had said at the time. "Even when he was older, he
would still sit down there and watch it in operation. It was our family
life."
Local resident Jerry
Zeigler said that Werling had told him that he had received an offer
from the well-known Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio to purchase the
sawmill. Zeigler, who has also helped spearhead the
project, said that he had inspected the sawmill and found it to be an
excellent opportunity. He said that the mill has an extra saw blade and
has the capacity to cut up to 40-foot trees.
"The stories of how the
pioneers cleared the forest and converted them to farm land are so
interesting," said Lehman. "You look at a lot of those old farm houses
and barns, and our farmland, and you realize what a vital role the
sawmills played in all of this.
"It only makes sense
that
a sawmill should be a vital part of our heritage village here," added
Lehman. "It's amazing watching this all come together."
As of June, 2006, the
sawmill itself has been moved to the village, but funds are still
needed to move the building enclosure for the sawmill.
If you would like to be
part of this marvelous adventure, please make a contribution to Swiss
Heritage Village and Museum.
You can contact the Treasurer, Jerry
Zeigler at jerryz@swissheritage.org or call the office at (260)
589-8007 to make arrangements.
Any contribution is greatly
appreciated!
CREATE A
LEGACY
A replica of the Ceylon covered bridge will now serve as the new
entrance for those entering the Swiss Heritage Village from the museum
and office complex. Prior to serving as the gateway, the bridge
represented the village in area parades.
The bridge was
designed,
built, and donated to the Swiss Heritage Society by Amos B. Schwartz.
The foundation and placement of the bridge were completed by Tom Jones
and Joe H. Construction Companies.
Now you, can remember,
recognize
and honor an occasion, an achievement, a loved one or ones with a
commemorative paving brick(s) on the walkway to the historical covered
bridge that leads to our Swiss Heritage Village. Wouldn't it be
wonderful to have a brick, that thousands of people will see, represent
a person or event? You can do this by donating according to the
list below:
*All proceeds will go toward the
restoration and operation of the village, and are completely tax
deductible.*
Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit
cards are accepted.
REGULAR SIZE (4"X8")
1st
brick.......................................................$125
2nd
brick.....................................................$100
3rd
brick.....................................................$74
ea. additional
brick(s).............................$50
Up to 3 Lines, 15 Characters per
line
LARGE SIZE (8"X8")
1st
brick.......................................................$300
2nd
brick.....................................................$200
ea. additional
brick(s)...............................$100
Up to 5 lines, 15 Characters per line
ENGRAVING EXAMPLES
Memory
Merle Inniger
Servant of God
Pakistan + London
Summer Director
SHV 1994-1998
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Dr. Freeman
Burkhalter
Music Educator
Born: Sept. 16, 1908
Died: Jan. 30, 1999
SPECIAL OCCASION/RECOGNITION
Blaine Fulton
Berne Mayor
1992-2003
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
*Deadline for inclusion in this
year's walkway is August 14th.
*Your purchase is fully tax
deductible.
*The Bridge was built and donated to
the Swiss Heritage Village by Amos B. Schwartz Construction.
Please send check and engraving
information to:
Swiss Heritage Society
P.O. Box 88
Berne, IN 46711
