- Office & Grounds
- Structures
- Fresh Start
- Mission Statement
- Dates
- Construction Ahead
- News Letter
- Links
The first building you see as you enter the parking lot is the Office, Museum, and Gift Shop Complex.
The Gift Shop has a variety of small gifts that are available for
purchase. Just to mention a few; Canned sorgum, honey, soap, salsa,
t-shirts, caps, coffee mugs, books, post cards, toys, games, knick
knacks, and much more. We always have a friendly volunteer to greet you
and see to your needs. Also found in this building are the
restrooms.
The Swiss Heritage Village
offices are located here, if you need
to transact business, sign up for membership, purchase a brick for the
covered bridge walkway, make a donation, sign up for volunteer
services, etc.
The Swiss Heritage Museum was added in early 2002. The Berne Cheese Factory was purchased in the late 1900s and provided the space needed to display some of the many artifacts donated to Swiss Heritage Village Society.
The Museum presents some of the early history of Southern Adams County. Pictures and other memorabilia are displayed.
Early life is depicted with kitchen cabinets, washers, toys, clothing, etc, shown with notes telling about many of the items' history. You can see how a bride dressed 100 years ago, and enjoy the fancy hats worn by women of that era.
The musical history of the area will always warrant displays. Prominently displayed now are items from Dr. Freeman Burkhalter's career and instruments made by Chris Zuercher at his accordion shop.
Early manufacturing is the focus of an area showing furniture made by Dunbar, Smith brothers, Berne Furniture, and Swiss Way furniture plants. Pictures of early pioneers in the industry have been added to the actual pieces of furniture on display. One of the great legacies of the community is its tradition of fine furniture designing and manufacturing.
Printing presses and other items from Berne's early days in the publishing of books and booklets are also found in the museum. Some of the early equipment is still used on certain occasions and is in working order. Printing is another business that continues today in the city.
The Museum makes possible the showing of the artifacts and gifts from many people. Tour the Village and then relish the past as you conclude your visit with time spent in the Museum.
Buildings and Grounds
Standing back, looking at the Village Woods, you will see to your right one tree towering over the rest. We call him "Old Hickory" after our 7th president, Andrew Jackson. The tree, like the President, withstood storms and prevailed. Old Hickory tree withstood the tornado of Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965. The wood of the hickory tree is tough, strong and very useful to the pioneers. Ships, houses, tool handles, and furniture were often built from it.
Our beautiful woodlands have paths with benches situated along the way, so if you should get tired, you can sit and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. While you rest, it is very easy to forget that within walking distance is the hustle and bustle of today’s world.
The Swiss Heritage Museum was added in early 2002. The Berne Cheese Factory was purchased in the late 1900s and provided the space needed to display some of the many artifacts donated to Swiss Heritage Village Society.
The Museum presents some of the early history of Southern Adams County. Pictures and other memorabilia are displayed.
Early life is depicted with kitchen cabinets, washers, toys, clothing, etc, shown with notes telling about many of the items' history. You can see how a bride dressed 100 years ago, and enjoy the fancy hats worn by women of that era.
The musical history of the area will always warrant displays. Prominently displayed now are items from Dr. Freeman Burkhalter's career and instruments made by Chris Zuercher at his accordion shop.
Early manufacturing is the focus of an area showing furniture made by Dunbar, Smith brothers, Berne Furniture, and Swiss Way furniture plants. Pictures of early pioneers in the industry have been added to the actual pieces of furniture on display. One of the great legacies of the community is its tradition of fine furniture designing and manufacturing.
Printing presses and other items from Berne's early days in the publishing of books and booklets are also found in the museum. Some of the early equipment is still used on certain occasions and is in working order. Printing is another business that continues today in the city.
The Museum makes possible the showing of the artifacts and gifts from many people. Tour the Village and then relish the past as you conclude your visit with time spent in the Museum.
Buildings and Grounds
Standing back, looking at the Village Woods, you will see to your right one tree towering over the rest. We call him "Old Hickory" after our 7th president, Andrew Jackson. The tree, like the President, withstood storms and prevailed. Old Hickory tree withstood the tornado of Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965. The wood of the hickory tree is tough, strong and very useful to the pioneers. Ships, houses, tool handles, and furniture were often built from it.
Our beautiful woodlands have paths with benches situated along the way, so if you should get tired, you can sit and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. While you rest, it is very easy to forget that within walking distance is the hustle and bustle of today’s world.
